Cairns, Australia Diving Recommendations

[bill09021967]

I am a beginning diver with about 10 logged dives. I will be in Cairns in the end of August and have 2 days to get in some diving. Looking for recommendations in terms of sites and outfitters. I prefer dives under 60 ft as I seem to finish off the tank too quickly as breathing is not optimal yet.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Bubble Junky]

Check out Deep Sea Diver's Den.

 

[Carl_Fallon]

G'Day Mate,

I just got back from Cairns with my dive Club. We went with Mike Ball but you will need more days if you where to go with his operation. Honestly, i had the best reef diving i have ever done on this trip! Your are in for a treat.

The best recomendation i can give you is to go a far out as possible. If you are there for 2 days then try and do a 2 day live-a-board. The inner reef is a lot different then the outer reef.

In one day you will only be able to get to the inner reef.

If you want specific operator details for 2 day trips just email me and i will send it through to you. I have write-ups at work, just not here.

Good Luck and have fun!

P.S. There are some really great opperators out of Cairns but there are also some average ones as well. So you are going about planning you trip the right way!

Yours Truly,
Carl Fallon.:14:

 

[bill09021967]

Thanks for the advice Carl. Please send me over any info you may have on the 2-day trips. How long a trip is it to the outer reef?

 

[Carl_Fallon]

Hi Bill,

I will try and get back to you ASAP. Just leaving work now. Sorry i didnt see your message sooner.

Yours Truly,
Carl Fallon

 

[Carl_Fallon]

Hi Bill,

I went through my Cairns notes and you have only a few (Good) options.

As previously suggested, If you only have 2 days then Deep Sea Divers Den would probably be your best option.

Check out this link. http://www.diversden.com.au/oq2d1n.htm This is an outline of there 2 day 1 night experience. Here you will get 7 dives! They are a professional and well run operation. I have sent a few of my customers there this year, and have only heard good reports back.

You will be able to find cheaper options like 'Compass'. But cheap in this case is not best!

I would really try and squeeze in an extra day if it is at all possible! If you had 3 days you would have a lot more options.

If you had 3 days i would go with Mike Ball, for a higher end live-a-board experience.

Or if you are looking for a cheeper option then Taka would be the one.

I hope this helps you out. Please if you have any more questions dont hesitate in asking!

Yours Truly,
Carl Fallon:14:

 

[tracy_from_oz]

Hi

If want a liveaboard although the time you have sounds too short, three days needed, try:

The spirit of freedom http://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/
It is the high end side but well worth it. It is an amazing liveaboard.

taka dive http://www.takadive.com.au/
It is cheaper, (than the spirit but so is my car), but doesn't mean its cheap. Amazing boat, great food and great people. You will meet some great people from around the world on there. These guys have been around a long time and know what there doing.

For a day trip I would go with Quicksilver Dive. They have a couple boats. One for just diving and one that goes out to the pontoon so if you have others with you that do not dive this is the best option.
I love these guys and always have a great time on their boats.
http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/

There is also Tusa dive for a day trip to the reef just off Cairns. You can find them on the esplanade and also pro dive near the wharf does day trips with them. http://www.tusadive.com


After living and working in Cairns these are the guys I dive with and trust.

To be honest I am not a big Mike Ball fan. And I am not opening a debate here or anything like that.
To me and only my thoughts, I wanna support someone who supports the industry in a positive way.
I have heard his boats are nice and dives good, so you wont here my say there not. I just do not think I would dive with him. I guess I still have a bad taste in my mouth after the pricing problems he had.

 

[pingham]

I and 3 other Florida Instructor and Advanced level divers want to plan a GBR 7 day live-aboard dive trip which includes the Coral Sea next June/July 2008 and was looking for tips and reviews on charter boats. I am researching information and hotel and charter rates. Thanks for any recommendations or sources that would assist planning the trip.

 

[Carl_Fallon]

G’Day Pingham,

Something that might help you out with organizing accommodations would be www.wotif.com I have used these guys for a few of my accommodation booking in the past, and If you go with the ‘good deals’ you cant go wrong. There are no catches, no hidden costs, and it is easy to see if you are getting a bargain!

When looking for accommodation in Cairns, I would just make sure that you are in central Cairns. There is a lot of surrounding accommodation that I know sounds like you are close, but when you get there it will be a long way away from where the action is. The best thing to do is reference an on line map, to the location of the hotel / resort and pick accordingly.

If you are looking for an inexpensive place to stay, Gilligan’s Backpackers is quite good. One thing is that it does have a Club underneath, so it can be a little noisy. The facilities there are great, the bar is brilliant, and it is only a little walk to the swimming lagoon and main streets. (If you want party this is the place!)

I have spent quite a bit of time up there and send a lot of my customers to Cairns each month, so if there is anything I can do to help you out just let me know.


P.S. Tracy, i am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience.

Yours truly,
Carl Fallon:14:

 

[Fordan]

For a day trip I would go with Quicksilver Dive. They have a couple boats. One for just diving and one that goes out to the pontoon so if you have others with you that do not dive this is the best option.
I love these guys and always have a great time on their boats.
http://www.quicksilver-cruises.com/

Well, I believe you can snorkle from the Silverswift/Silversonic, the fast dive boats from Cairns & Port Douglas I think you're referring to (http://www.silverseries.com.au/). It is primarily a dive boat (a nice one, though), and you're not going to get the other amenities you would on the pontoon.

(It seems like everything going to the reef in Cairns is owned by Quicksilver.)