GBR LOB diving as a beginner

[happy-diver]

Supportive, mate we're so supportive I'm even using Brazilian timber

to convert my swinging gates to sliding

Do you like my levitating tools

You have a perfect trip

Magnificent!

 

[gamon]

While I do feel comfortable on water and have an OK buyoancy for someone at my level, my main concern is that I am very much inexperienced and these boats seem to be aimed for more experienced people.

Not at all true. Liveaboards are for more serious divers that want to spend most of their time diving. That much said I've seen lots of inexperienced divers on numerous liveaboard trips including 2 on the GBR who can barely control their buoyancy and destroy the bottom substrate with their poor techniques.

You're probably better than 50% of the divers right out of the box.

 

[Muriloth]

Yeah ! Haha Are you australian? That wood has traveled a long way there.
Thank you!

Do you like my levitating tools

You have a perfect trip

Magnificent!

 

[Muriloth]

Well we are inexperienced at some point, but glad to know I will be welcome there just by trying to improve my skills.
Thank you

Not at all true. Liveaboards are for more serious divers that want to spend most of their time diving. That much said I've seen lots of inexperienced divers on numerous liveaboard trips including 2 on the GBR who can barely control their buoyancy and destroy the bottom substrate with their poor techniques.

You're probably better than 50% of the divers right out of the box.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Cairns local and dive pro here. There's a lot of options suitable for all levels of diver. See here

Most leave daily or have transfer vessels and visit the Outer Reef. Variety of sites, great experiences and suitable all levels. Gear etc all included.

Trips like Mile Ball and Spirit of Frredon have twice a week departures and have a low level flight one way due to the distance the travel. For more experienced divers but no problem if your Open Water but you would need to take your Advanced on board or at the very least Deep Adventure Dive as most sites tend to be deeper than 18m.

Mile Ball and SOF visit the far north and Ribbon Reefs for 4 or 5 night trips. Expensive but fabulous diving. Book out months in advance so don't leave it too late.

Feel free to drop me a DM if you need any local advice. Doesn't have to be dive related

 

[Muriloth]

Do you think it's bette rto tke AOW before going or onboard? I recognize I wont be advanced by having the advanced tittle and few dives in.

Cairns local and dive pro here. There's a lot of options suitable for all levels of diver. See here

Most leave daily or have transfer vessels and visit the Outer Reef. Variety of sites, great experiences and suitable all levels. Gear etc all included.

Trips like Mile Ball and Spirit of Frredon have twice a week departures and have a low level flight one way due to the distance the travel. For more experienced divers but no problem if your Open Water but you would need to take your Advanced on board or at the very least Deep Adventure Dive as most sites tend to be deeper than 18m.

Mile Ball and SOF visit the far north and Ribbon Reefs for 4 or 5 night trips. Expensive but fabulous diving. Book out months in advance so don't leave it too late.

Feel free to drop me a DM if you need any local advice. Doesn't have to be dive related

 

[nadwidny]

Do you think it's bette rto tke AOW before going or onboard? I recognize I wont be advanced by having the advanced tittle and few dives in.

The more dives you do beforehand the better your experience will be.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Do you think it's bette rto tke AOW before going or onboard? I recognize I wont be advanced by having the advanced tittle and few dives in.

If you want to get more dives logged then as nadwidney says it's good to get your experience up.
However, it's fine to do it onboard because at least there's 5 dives with an instructor as a guide and its around AUD$250 extra on an Outer Reef trips or $405 on Spirit of Freedom. You certainly won't miss out if you plan to take it onboard

 

[happy-diver]

Doing a course on a trip is like going overseas to sit in a bar

 

[gamon]

Doing a course on a trip is like going overseas to sit in a bar

Don't think I agree. I've seen courses taught on liveaboards and it looks like a fun experience for those doing it. The book work and discussions are done on the deck in the sun between dives or even during a meal, and the practice is of course part of the dive but don't take away too much of it, and since you're doing upwards of 20 dives in the week so what if a few of them are dedicated towards skills work?