daytrip to the GBR...can you help me

[HinDaeng]

Hi,
my first post on the forum after years of using others questions and answers

my question is actually a classic, but I'd like some input (as recent as possible) on chosing a daytrip to the GBR. I just came back from 3nights on the Taka liveaboard and loved it, but now want to bring my partner on the reef, and time and money restrict us to a daytrip.

I've selected the 3 following daytrips after researching the web :
- Ocean freedom upolu cay from Cairns (179AUD + 105AUD for 2 dives = 284AUD)
- Calypso from Port Douglas (260AUD for 3 dives, not sure if this includes equipment)
- Poseidon from Port Douglas (265AUD for 3 dives)

any feedback or opinions on those 3 trips would be greatly appreciated. Our main focus is the diving, (I'd basically give up on everything from comfort to food or service to diving...).
My shortlist is based on the fact that I want to avoid backpacker boats and as much as possible all the "big business" boat (basically anything related to the quicksilver group frightens me...). If you can think about any option that would fit the bill but that would not be in my shortlist, I'll be happy to consider it!

Thanks
HinDaeng

 

[James Bond boat entry]

I also enjoyed my diving off Taka, as you may have noticed the further North you go the better the diving. Personally, I would do the day trip out of Port Douglas, less river run off into the sea.

 

[bracko]

Tusa 5 was about $200 including dives and is one of the newest boats in the fleet. it isn't a backpacker boat, but they do have a lot of snorklers on the boat... however divers kit up before snorklers are allowed on the dive deck, so you don't get trampled on. I don't mind them as everything is organised and you don't really need to think about anything.

great boat, scubapro hire gear if you need it.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Ocean Freedom is a nice boat but budget and Upolo Cay is not really the best for diving. Its OK for Introductory divers as you can do the skills off of the sand cay, but to get to the good dove spots you need a faster boat that visits teh Outer Reef areas.

Heres a link to the better ones

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

Bracko advised Tusa 5 and I agree its definately one of the better ones. They also have 3 dives for the price of 2. They would be the pick of the bunch for me personally.

if you want to go budget here as well then look atReef Quest which is also running a special of $140 for trip and 1 dive.

Cairns Day Dive Trips Aboard Reef Quest To The Great Barrier Reef

Poseidon and Calypso are in Port with is 60km away. Long drive if you are staying in Cairns.

There are links above to Poseidon, and also Haba which you may want to consider. I would go Poseidon over Calypso but both still very good.

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