Cairns Area

[Butch Fries]

We want to take a diving trip to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our upholstery shop and have come down to Australia and the Corn Islands. Any feedback on diving operations around Cairns? A liveaboard is financially out of the question so we will need to stick with day trips.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

There are plenty of posts here recommending operators, so it’s worth looking back a few pages.

I know you mentioned a live aboard is out of the question, but it is worth looking at a few of the mid range ones, as these can often work out better than a couple of day trips + accommodation costs for 2 nights. E.g. Ocean Quest, Scubapro or Kangaroo Explorer

Cairns Discount Diving Trips - Overnight Dive Boats
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Having said that, there are still plenty of great sites available to visit from day trips vessels. Here is a link showing a selection of the better ones.

Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Day Trips to the Great Barrier Reef


Check out the links for a few ideas and feel free to message privately if you need opinion as I live and work in Cairns as a diver.

Kevin



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Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Australia Diving - Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

 

[cdreamer]

I dove with Tusa and was very happy.

 

[caymaniac]

Also,there's a lot to do in Cairns and the surrounding area above the water.

 

[Butch Fries]

We're definitely going to be setting aside time to see Cairns and the area. There's actually another reason we don't want a liveaboard; the one time we tried the situation we ended up with a group that was there mostly to party and it was miserable, so we won't take the chance again. Thanks for the link, Kevin!

 

[OnTheSpot]

I know you have vowed never to do a liveaboard again.....but I just have to say PLEASE reconsider.

Some of the best diving can only be reached by liveaboard boats, not only on the Great Barrier Reef but in many places in the world.

The three night trips from Cairns to Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole are not cheap so most people booked are there to dive and only dive. The boats are spacious which means you can escape any fellow passengers you dont want to mix with. Oh, and the food is first class.

Sorry, I know you had a bad experience but I really, really think you should have another go as you are missing out on some mind blowing diving :glad:

 

[Butch Fries]

On what we make from our upholstery shop Australia is going to be a stretch, let alone a liveaboard. Not going to reconsider.

 

[MA]

I've been on a few of the cairns liveaboards and not one has been a 'party group'. Rather, everyone is advised that if they have overindulged the night before its likely that they wouldn't be allowed to dive. They are fantastic and its all really about the diving. Besides after 5 dives a day everyone is exhausted and generally falls to bed before 10.

Coral sea and northern barrier reef really is worth it!

 

[Butch Fries]

Please, guys. I didn't post this thread to get into a debate about liveaboards. We're not going to do a liveaboard and need feedback about the day trips. Thanks.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Gave a link above to the day trips. Didn’t outline a preference then, but if you are looking for small groups and very professional Tusa would top the list. Backed up above by cdreamer.

If there are non divers and family look at Reef Magic as they have a pontoon, glass bottom boat etc.
I am assuming you are all divers.

Reef Quest is very good, but also a transfer vessel, so lots of students and they cram a lot into a day.
Silverswift has about 80 people (rarely that amount) but also dedicated to divers.
So the best 2 in my opinion would be Tusa and Silverswift.

Also at the moment Tusa are doing 3 dives for the price of 2 but aren't advertising it. Details are on our site though.

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Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Australia Diving - Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef