First time going to GBR (in July)-- would greatly appreciate some knowledgable advice

[boulderjohn]

I went to Australia 13 years ago and did a 3-day liveaboard trip with my wife, who was and still is a snorkeler only. It was such fun that we will be repeating the trip with some old friends in about a month. Look at your finances and give it some thought. You are going a long way for that trip, and it may be a long time before you go back again. If you are at all near the fence on the liveaboard decision, really think long and hard about whether you can possibly afford it.

 

[Anita Walters]

Thank you Andy-- I'm so looking forward to seeing the GBR, and your wonderful country! Since you offered, a have a couple of questions: first, what's your opinion on Blue Dive? They say they do go to the "less travelled" sites. True? Are there other (reputable) companies that actually diverge from the "usual" spots? I'm looking more towards Port Douglas as I heard the reef's a little better (though I realize we'll be paying for that pleasure). We can't afford a liveaboard right now, and I'm nervous about spotty weather so really don't want to book far in advance. We will probably have to stick with a few day (or night) dives. Thoughts? Also, is there good shore snorkeling there? If so, where? Thank you so very much for any inside info you can provide

 

[Wobbegong wannabe]

Andy is the local so I'll defer to his judgement, but in my experience there is little or no shore snorkelling off Port Douglas or Cairns, and no commercial operators that I'm aware of. Apart from anything else there are crocodiles and they eat people. :shocked2: The owner of the motel I stayed at in PD told me about a 'great' shore dive all the locals enjoyed, but when his instructions started with 'just be careful to dodge the croc, he lives at the river mouth' I kind of tuned out.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

As a local in Cairns I can say that there is a LOT to chose from and what has not been mentioned yet is the fact you are coming in July which is smack bang in the middle of Minke whale season

For live aboards the best is to go on one of the trips that visit the Ribbon Reef areas like Make Ball, Spirit of Freedom or Taka. By the time July comes around Taka will be running budget trips up to the Cod Hole (now it does a mix of Ribbon Reef areas and Outer Reef). It motors up and back whilst MB and SOF fly you one way so more expensive. Once in a lifetime expereince and you wil ge to see and usually dive with the minke whales.

Although these 3 trips do take up to 40 passengers the service is fantastic and you will find a lot of threads on SB about these trips so will not harp on about them here.

There are 3 main overnight trips that visit the Outer Reef areas from cairns and they all take around 40 pax as well. It’s hard to find small numbers until you look at something like Coral Sea Dreaming which is not really a dedicated dive boat. Blue Dive out of Port Doulas seems OK, but does not offer scheduled trips only to suit so you have to rely on them getting enough passengers to run.

Day trips do offer a good variety and are fast (90mins to the Outer Reef). Norman Reef has pipe fish and pygmy sea horses (rare). Lots of Reef sharks and turtles. There are rays but mainly small stingrays with a few bull rays and rarely mantas. Big Maori (called Napoleon wrase in Europe) wrasse on the Outer Reef areas which are very curious and love coming up to divers. Most of the sea life around can be found by following various links to each operators dive sites. Or just PM myself or other locals like Andy who can certainly advise in more detail.

A great local day trip that takes few passengers (not fast though) is Day Tripper. Maybe worth a look.

---------- Post added April 2nd, 2014 at 07:05 AM ----------

Sorry Anita, I just re-read you rpost and realisd it was day trip you were more interested in. Whoops!

I did give some links to day trip, but do consider 2 day 1 night over night trip as this often works out cheaper than staying in town for one night. All food etc included so balance out the amount you woudo spnd on a hotel plus food plus day trip. usually better value with mor edives (6-7 over 2 days depending on who you go with.). Ocean Quest or Kangaroo Explorer.

My personal favourite day trips - Poseidon out of Port Douglas and Tusa out of Cairns.

 

[Andy Green]

Anita, Blue dive is a reputable company with a decent vessel the Poseidon that is modern and comfortable. The dive site they go to is a good one, Agincourt / Ribbon reef is a top spot. There are heaps of different dives on this reef and most of the Port Douglas boats all go here.
Don't worry to much about weather as dives are rarely called of outside off the cyclone season. book early to avoid missing out but book direct its always cheaper than using agents whichever dive company you choose.
All the locals will tell you not to swim dive or snorkel of the beach, because of crocs stingers etc and its true go to the outer reef and your very safe, not even stingers.
don't sweat picking a dive company most offer good service there are no bad operators as far as i am concerned but you get what you pay for.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

book direct its always cheaper than using agents whichever dive company you choose..

Hmmmm. Not why you have picked this forum to have a go at agents! Having worked as an instructor here since 1990 I acn assure you this statement is not true. Always shop around and remember a good agent will get you the best price as they want the commision. Just use aknowledable one not the backpacker ones.

Either way going direct will not guarantee best price as the operators rely on agents for around 80% of their custom.

This is not the place to argue about who to book through, but always shop around. Get the advice here and research.

Many operators do offer specials. Tusa offer 3 dives for the price of 2 etc

 

[Andy Green]

There is a big diffrence between "having a go at agents" and suggesting a way for someone to save a few dollars, but i suppose you can read whatever you want into my words when you have a vested interest. My only interest is to see visitors to our region enjoy their stay and go away with positive things to say about how their were treated.

by the way Anita here is a web site to book the poseidon vessel direct.
Snorkelling Diving Great Barrier Reef Port Douglas Cairns Australia Poseidon Cruises PADI Diving

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

I agree with you totally Andy, and I also want nothing more than for visitors to have the best experience possible. Of course I have a vested interested as its my profession. We do know each other as well you realize!! I also do try to save people as much as I can too.

This is why I only ever promite boats or companies I have personally worked on or have had a lot to do with. All the posts I have ever done have been unbiased and I have never, ever promoted my business intentionally. I hide nothing, but feel 24 years living and workign as a diver here adds the right for a decent opinion.

Of course I link to my site as its easiest to do so and all the info is there. I just provide a locals opinion and I do realize you have only just moved here, but most agents in town do try hard to help out customers. Operators look after locals well which is why you have had a good deal with booking direct, but this doesn't always apply to overseas visitors. However I do agree give it a go. As I said above shop around.

Just note I give half the commissions back as I dont rely on being an agent for a living its a service. I do have ot pay for teh upkeep of the webs site though

That aside, I whole hartedly agree with you, Poseidon is the best out of Port, but being in Palm Cove you would need to pay for transfers unless you have transport. Usually not too much to either Port Douglas or Cairns.

 

[Andy Green]

Thats a fair call, I honestly did not intent to offend agents with my comment to go direct I was only trying to help the couple save a few dollars. I have noticed that although diving is a lot cheaper now compared to a decade ago, still a lot of the overseas tourists do find Australia expensive. Working in the same industry as yourself I always try to remember that not everyone is as lucky and try to help out when i can.
I wouldn't have realized who i was speaking to unless you tipped me off, but knowing that now I appologise for the vested interest comment as i know you well enough to know, you have high moral standards and wouldn't do wrong by anyone. All the best mate.

 

[Anita Walters]

Much thanks for this wealth of information!! Norman sounds fantastic. I appreciate this...