Best places to dive in Queensland? March 2011

[carlosb]

Hi,

I'll be coming over to Australia and have one week to dive somewhere in the barrier reef but not sure what's the best place I should go. I'll be coming around the 12th March. I keep reading about all the fantastic places to go but can't really see anywhere that sounds any better than the other.

I was thinking maybe Cairns but not sure how the recent cyclone may have affected diving operations and other things like visibility at the diving sites etc. A lot of what I read is for Cairns but that could because the tourism industry is more developed rather than any particular reason.

I also hear somewhere around the Withsundays it's quite good and I could combine with some other activities as well.

I'm thinking of maybe doing a 2 or 3 days live aboard if that's going to take me to better sites and budget is an issue. I will have over 20 dives by the time I get there so I don't want to just go to the easy places everyone goes to including the snorkellers.

Any tips will be highly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Carlos

 

[Kern]

If the far North doesn't work out, try this.

Wolf Rock Dive - Grey Nurse Sharks|Scuba Diving|Commercial Diving|Charters|Training|Equipment - Welcome

It's off the beaten track, but one of the best sites I'v dived. Not a part of the reef though.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

The cyclone didnt affect the Reef in Cairns at all and apart from about 3 days where no boats ran everything is back to normal. Viz is usually down for 5 days or so after such events (remember we getr cyclones every year so the Reef is used to it and very resilient).

Some surface staghorn may have been damaged in some snorkel sites but dive sites are still in excellent condition.

Plenty of day and over night trips to choose so check out the site and see how it goes.

Cairns Day Diving Trips to the Great Barrier Reef
Cairns Live Aboard Over Night Dive Trips To The Outer Barrier Reef, Cod Hole And Coral Sea.

But plenty of options for down south of Cairtns too e.g. yongala wreck from Townsville or Ayr would be worth a look Yongala Wreck Dives From Ayr Or Townsville


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Cairns Discount Dive And Snorkel Trips. Live Aboard And Day Trips To The Great Barrier Reef

 

[bracko]

HMAS Brisbane located about 80km north of Brisbane as well... it's a purpose sunk wreck that is apparently a great dive!

 

[Tortuga68]

HMAS Brisbane located about 80km north of Brisbane as well... it's a purpose sunk wreck that is apparently a great dive!

It is a great dive, although it's along way from Cairns Dive HMAS Brisbane – Diving HMAS Brisbane | Scubaworld

Viz was pretty poor after the floods but should be back to normal by now

 

[carlosb]

I think it's going to be Cairns or Port Douglas. Besides what town is nicer than the other (or more suitable for activities etc), is there any difference on whether the diving is done from one or the other? I would imagine day trips are more likely to be different, but short live aboards (2/3 days)?