I HAVE BEEN UP THE RIBBONS AND ANCHORED IN WATSONS BAY LIZARD ISLAND THE LAST 2 AUGUSTS , STOPED ABOUT 3 WEEKS EACH TIME. ALWAYS WEAR A 3MM SIUT WITHOUT A HOOD AND THIN SOCKS UNDER MY PULL OVER FINS. OFTEN ALSO A THIN VEST.
CAN'T QUITE REMEBER THE WATER TEMP, PROBABLY ABOUT 24C I WOULD GUESS. vERY WINDY IN THE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING. EXPECT 20 - 30 KNOTS MOST DAYS. BUT VERY PROTECTED IN THE BAY FROM THOSE TOTALY PREDICTABLE NASTY S.E. TRADES. WE WORK OUR WAY UP THE RIBBONS ON OUR OWN BOAT DURING A QUIET PERIOD GETTING IN A FEW DIVES , ANCHOR IN THE BAY ..MAYBE SHOOT OUT TO THE COD HOLE AND AROUND THAT AREA WHEN THERE IS A WEATHER LULL( WINDS DROP TO 15 - 20KNOTS) .WHEN WE'VE HAD ENOUGH AND GET A GOOD WEATHER PATTERN WE GO BACK DOWN THE RIBBONS TO PORT DOUGLAS. DIVING AT ALOT OF THE REEFS THAT I REALLY LIKE. APART FROM THE WIND I LOVE LIZARD IS. ..GREAT SPOT TO HANG LOOSE WITH PLENTY OF THINGS TO DO... NOT MANY BOATS IN THE BAY UNTILL EARLY SEPTEMBER WHEN WINDS START SLOWING AND THE MARLIN FISHERMAN START ROLLING IN FOR THE OCTOBER COMP. IF YOU WANT ANY DETAILED INFO LET ME KNOW.
A GOOD SCOURCE OF INFO IS THE MARINE RESEARCH STATION ON LIZARD, THEY ARE REALLY NICE AND HELPFULL AND ALSO HAVE TALKS ETC ONCE A WEEK FOR VISITING BOATIES ETC.
CHEERS ROB