Cairns VS Withsundays

[bingbang]

I heard a lot of good about Osprey Reef and the fly and dive around Cairns.

I am more intrested in 1 day dive trips, in the Barrier (no man eater stuff for now).

For a day (or two) trip would you suggest the reefs near Withsundays/Airlie Beach or the reefs near Cairns?... (in terms of water clarity, corals, etc.).

 

[29TURTLES]

For 1 day trip options go to the Whitsundays. The Great Barier Reef is a bit farther out but there is fringing reef only 15 minutes from the mainland. The Cairns reefs show a bit more wear & tear because of the high number of tourist for many years. The Whitsundays offers better quality reef. However, you would be happy with either if you have never seen the GBR

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Not really sure I agree with 29Turtles at all. The Whitsundays are a lot further south than Cairns and are more renowned for sailing trips and snorkelling around the many beautiful islands and fringing reef areas. Whilst there are dedicated diving tours the selection in the Whitsundays is not as great as it is further north.

The coral reef areas are no more “worn and torn” around Cairns than they are around the Whitsundays. I spent 3 years involved with a study of coral degradation and it annoys me reading dumb comments like that.

Both places have their pros and cons. Cairns has slightly warmer waters and more variety of dive trips. Whitsundays more shore diving as well as boat. Cairns only really boat diving.

Visibility is about the same in both places. Both are good places to dive and depends on your experience and what you are looking for. Cairns is considered the “Gateway to the Barrier Reef” and is the better for live aboards. But if you are looking for day trips then do a bit of research to get a wider opinion.

Here is a link for the Cairns day trips which may help a bit

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

and here’s 2 for the Whitsundays

Whitsunday Scuba Dive Day Trips - Odyssey H2O
Whitsunday Day Trips : Whitsunday Islands