Experience for GBR Liveaboard

[WetPup]

Hi all,

I'm contemplating going to Cairns at Christmas and booking myself on one of the 7 night liveaboard cruises to the Cod Hole and Coral Sea with Mike Ball or Spirit of Freedom (choice will depend on availability). Just wondering what level of experience is really required to dive on those trips? I've got AOW, but limited dives under my belt (I did the OW and AOW back to back and have only done a few since then). Both websites say it's recommended for AOW certified divers...But I wonder if they also expect a certain level of experience to go with that? I recognise that I'm still a novice despite the AOW card, and don't want to end up diving in conditions I can't handle.

Basically just chasing advice as to whether the 7 night cruise is really suitable or not? I know it's cyclone season in December and that might play into it, but aside from that...

 

[Doc Harry]

Spirit of Freedom told us that we should hire a dive guide for their cruise, apparently because of our inexperience. My girlfriend has ~150 dives through AOW and rescue. I have ~250 dives through AOW, rescue, master diver, advanced nitrox/decompression and full cave.

Look into Mike Ball and see what they have to offer.

 

[Ghanguss]

Ive done the Cod hole and Coral sea twice now as AOW with ~100 dives.
I will say I had good weather for both trips but found the diving to be amoung the easiest and most enjoyable Ive ever done.

The boat I went on (Taka) offered guides on most dives but Id ask the operator also before going.

I dont think its asking too much to do a trip like this so close to training. I would advise to do a few dives before going on the trip if you can, just so you can relax and make the most of the time on the GBR.

 

[Darnold9999]

Did the Cod hole trip a couple of years back with Mike Ball. A couple of divers were very inexperienced and had no issues at all. They did a few dives with a guide at the beginning of the trip and from then on were on their own (by choice).

 

[jcohen32]

I had just got my advanced back in november before heading with Mike Ball in december on the Cod Hole/Ribbon Reefs. If you're not confident just follow the other divers around. There's plenty of space and plenty of viz. You will not get lost and you'll be fine. Pay attention to the dive briefs and stick to it's boundaries and you'll have a blast!

 

[WetPup]

Well I'm going to need to follow other divers around anyway in a sense, since I'm going on my own and won't be bringing my own buddy. Sounds like I might be ok, and if needs be I can organise a guide or just buddy up (hopefully) with someone with a bit more experience

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

First off, in all 3 of the operators above it is very expensive to hire a private guide. About $200 - $350 per trip. Its easier to follow staff around (there are always at least 2 staff in the water on each dive site with all the operators), and its free!

Shared guides are available if you want t specific guide, but most follow the in water staff.
We used to get a lot of passengers who had just passed their Open water course coming on and taking the Advanced Course. So don’t worry too much about your level of experience as it is fine.

As you have learnt - dive within your limitations.

Most of the dive sites on the Ribbon Reefs go down to 40 - 50m but obviously don’t go down that far. They will be pinnacles where you drop down to your planned depth and spiral upwards. Impossible to get lost!

Other sites are patch reefs where you follow the mooring line down and swim along the reef wall one way and back the other. Sometimes you may ,miss the mooring blocks, but then just surface and either swim back or get a pick up from the dive tender.

There can be strong currents at certain times, but this is usually when the skipper will decide to either go to another site or you will do a drift dive.

All the sites are very safe and there are plenty of staff both in the water and as look outs to help.

December can be bad for cyclones but obviously if one is in the area then the boat gets cancelled (make sure you have travel insurance). Although we do get a few coming through, it is rare for a boat to cancel. The media makes it out to be worse than it is, but cyclones in the region can bring rain and strong winds that stir up the water and lower viz.

That’s worst case scenario. December is also a beautiful hot summer month with a lot of sea life and great sea conditions too.

For 7 day trips Mike Ball or Spirit of Freedom offer the best ones as they ensure a range of sites and the flight one way helps. Taka just do back to back trips and are not really geared up for 7 day trips. It may be cheaper but you will repeat a lot of sites.

Cairns Live Aboard Dive Trips With Spirit Of Freedom To The Cod Hole And Coral Sea
Cairns Live Aboard Dive Trips With Mike Ball To The Cod Hole And Coral Sea

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

 

[WetPup]

I'm an ex-Townsville resident, so I know what the cyclones can be like December is horrific in NQ, the only reason I'm doing this is because it won't be so bad if I'm in the water all day :tongue:

Anyway, I'm booked on Mike Ball for the 7 night trip. The person I spoke to basically said as long as I'm confident in the water I should be fine. And I'm a water pup, so hopefully all will be well And they'll set me up with another single diver or one of the staff as a buddy on board. So let the sharkies and potato cod come!

 

[MA]

You'll be fine. I first went out to the coral sea with about 30 dives, conditions were superb, the easiest diving i had done apart from the depth. The liveaboards cater for everyone and i found for the first few dives, i had to have guided dives until i was comfortable. I've been on a few trips now, often solo, they buddy you up well. Have fun!!

 

[farsidefan1]

I dove with Mike Ball on the Spoilsport with my wife on our honeymoon. She was not that experienced and had no difficulty. She passed on a few dives and I found spare divemasters always willing to join me. I had 3 or 4 dives where it was as if I had a private guide. Just me and the divemaster. They are extraodinarily well staffed. You will have a ball.