Diving GBR - initial stages of planning

[srt1548]

Hi,

I have read a few threads as am at the intial stages of research and planning a trip July/August 09. I will have three weeks in Oz flying into Brisbane - one week in Darwin then the other two I plan to spend diving. It is my first trip to the Southern hemisphere although I have dived thailand and Malaysia (Indonesia later this year). I would appreicate any indications/recommendations eg vis/conditions/what to expect, liveaboards in GBR or land based, or both. Would it also be ridiculously ambitious to hop up to PNG for one of the weeks? I really just want to dive the best places.

Thanks

 

[MA]

Make sure you get out to Osprey reef - although its pretty rough around that time of the year. Its also minke whale season within the GBR so you'll need to book a liveaboard early.

I would only do a liveaboard, and only out to ribbon reefs, cod hole etc and if possible out to the coral sea - 40m vis, 1000m wall dives, sharks, mantas - amazing.

Your best options are:
- taka
- spirit of freedom
- mike ball
- undersea explorer

Enjoy!!

Don't bother with any of the day trip dives - bleached coral, loads of people, turtles but not much else.

 

[greybubbles]

I've gone out with Undersea Explorer 3 times. The fact that I've gone 3 times is an indication that 1) I've totally enjoyed the cruse, the diving, the crew, the food, the accomodations, my fellow divers, the entire experience or 2) I'm stupid and don't know any better. I choose 1) above.
The recommendations from MA above are right on.
Check them out. Their web site doesn't really do them justice. Simply a wonderful experience.
There are usually 2 marine scientists from The University of Queensland on board and they involve the guests (you) to participate with them in their research. Very cool. I can't comment on the other dive liveaboards as I've never sailed with them.
As far as diving the GBR, it seems the shallower you go the more to see. You'll love it.
Have a great time!!!!
greybubbles

 

[C8X]

After 4 days on the MV Taka out to Cod Hole and back along the Ribbon reefs, while it was an amazing experience, I still think I enjoyed 2 days at fish rock cave more (Southwest Rocks, NSW). Obviously it's just one location, and maybe not that easy to fit into travel plans, where you could spend weeks on the GBR and never dive the same location. I'm planning to go back in summer, I guess it's pretty cold in July (water at 17-18C rougly?). It's hard to beat seeing dozens of grey nurse sharks cruising the gutters. I've only started diving so take that into consideration, but it's my favourite spot to date.

 

[Eau_Girl]

I've done Undersea Explorer trips 2 times and am a big fan (like GreyBubbles). I've also done one week on SOF and enjoyed it. Personally I'd chose UE again due to the research aspect. BUT some people would prefer the amenities of SOF or Mike Ball. You can't go wrong, but understand the differences of the boats. Get in touch with Andrew Jones (he's on the board) or his partner Carmen at Experience Cairns and they can give you independent advice based on your experience levels and priorities from the livaboard.

I'd try to get on a trip going to Osprey for a long as possible. That means one that doesn't do a change of passengers at Lizard Island. That forces you to stay on the Northern Ribbon Reefs longer.

If you've only got 3 weeks I'd stay in Oz as traveling further could take away time from your activities.

You could do a sailing trip in the Whitsundays but that wouldn't get you the dives you want. Andrew & Carmen can advise on mixed trips if you want to consider that.

Remember you are going in the height of winter in the southern hemisphere so do some research/get opinions on the sea conditions and water temps. Some friends did a minke whale trip on UE in June and said it was rough, the water not that warm and you were always in a fleece when out of the water.

C8X's advice to do some NSW diving is a good one assuming you can easily get there. Seal Rocks/Forster is great for grey nurse sharks. I've not been to Soutwest Rocks but friends say it is great. The water will be colder and no corals, but the diving was great -- just very different than NSW.

I'd probably leave Western Australia for another visit. It's beautiful -- I spent over 3 weeks there in 2006 and loved it (ran out of time so had to get back to Sydney for the flight home). BUT it's a HUGE state and deserves enough time in its own right so with your 3 week total I'd pick Queensland/East Coast or Western Australia plus your week in Darwin.

PM if you have any specific points.

 

[srt1548]

Thank you so much for everyone's replies! I knew it will be winter, but hints of rougher seas and cooler temps I think will need a bit more research. I live in the Middle East and have become a total warm water wossie, although I have dived in Scotland and the pacific North West. all your sugestions will be researched!

I really do appreicate everyone's input. Again, many thanks.

 

[Kern]

C8X's advice to do some NSW diving is a good one assuming you can easily get there. Seal Rocks/Forster is great for grey nurse sharks. I've not been to Soutwest Rocks but friends say it is great. The water will be colder and no corals, but the diving was great -- just very different than NSW.

In that case you could dive the Solitary Is. off the Coffs to Wooli coast NSW. That way during winter you could have corals & GNS in the same place. Not to mention Blue Devils & giant cuttle fish etc. etc as we had this weekend.

PS. water Temp. 18C. Viz. 20+ mts.

 

[almitywife]

just got back from a week of diving at Lady Elliot Island and wow - it just blew me away!!

5 divers and as a group we did over 60 dives - every dive had mantas, turtles, sharks (reef or lepoard or tawny) and whale song (most days we saw whales from the boat plus one went under our boat once as we used the glass bottom boat that day and saw it go under us!)

plus lots of hard coral and fish life - big moray, huge schools of trevelly, eagle rays plus all the usual tropical fish plus a wreck dive and swimthrus

i went to LEI with zero expectation and already planning a return trip as it had such good diving

cheers