Great Barrier reef for Newbie's

[FB_]

My wife and I will be in Cairns this coming July and are planning on doing a 5 day 4 night live aboard. We just became certified divers in August (Curacao & Aruba) with only the 4 certification dives to date. I want to ensure we do something within our ability. We may be doing a couple of dives in The Cooke Islands a week before arriving in Cairns

I have narrowed our choices down to two boats (Taka and Ocean Quest II).

Taka is going to run about $3600.00 w/equipment (Coral Sea)
Ocean Quest is going to run about $2070.00 w/equipment (Outter Reef).

Those prices also do not include a guide which I feel we will most likely need for at least a couple of dives.

Money is always a concern but I certainly would pay the extra money to get a better experience. I just want to be sure we get the best fit to go along with our limited diving experience.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

FB

 

[MA]

Coral sea or cod hole trip are really worth the extra in which case I would without a doubt go taka. If you could stretch though spirit of freedom or mike ball are much nicer boats for many reasons. On taka whilst not private guides there will be dive instructors or dive masters in the water who you can dive will. With only so few dives they will likely require it for the first few dives.

The ribbons reefs or coral sea I found have a lot more life and much much healthier reefs probably how you imagine the barrier reef to be. The outer reefs see a lot more diver and boat traffic so they are not as pristine as further north. If budget does allow I would spend the extra.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

There are 2 types of trips from Cairns if you are looking at live aboards. The best diving, by far, are those that visit the Ribbon Reef areas (Cod Hole etc) and also take an extra day to motor out to the Coral Sea (here is crystal clear waters 30m+ viz and shark feeds).

The others vsit the Outer Reef areas on the Barrier Reef close to Cairns (see here for a better description Cairns Live Aboard Over Night Dive Trips To The Outer Barrier Reef, Cod Hole And Coral Sea.)

You are probably on a once in a lifretime trip and I would definately look to stretch and take a Ribbon Reef trip.

Of the main 3 (Mike Ball, Spirit of Freedom, and Taka) Taka is the budget boat only in that it does not fly you up on light aircraft one leg of the trip.

The dive sites are the same. OK, maybe on the other 2 you get pamapered a lot more, but if you are not too worried about that take Taka. Its like 3 star compared to 5 star.

Ocean Quest is definately the pick of the bunch for the Outer Reef trips.

as for guides, Taka aleways has 2 crew in the water on each site so feel free to taga along. Ocean Quest wil charge for guides but you wil find you may not need them as teh sites are wel lcontained and there are look outs on teh boats at all times. Worse case scenario that you get lost, simply surfe, signal and they come pick you up.

Ypou can get some cheaper prices on Taka if you really want to risk it (notreally a great idea unless you have plently of time) and we do post out the standby specials on our Facebook page (saves changing the web site al the time), so feel free to look there (search for Aquapro Dive Services if this link does not take you there) Welcome to Facebook

Here are few more details on Ocean Quest and Taka if you havent already seen them.

Cairns Live Aboard Dive Trips With Ocean Quest To The Outer Barrier Reef
Cairns Live Aboard Dive Trips With Taka 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

 

[OnTheSpot]

I would recommend Osprey Reef in the Coral sea to the more experienced diver. The site is in the open sea, has deep water and can have currents. Also the style of diving suits confident divers.

That being said...I want to really push for you to join one of the three boats (three night trips) to dive at Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole - these sites are suitable for all levels of diver.

July is dwarf minke whale time so expect to be sharing the sea with the big guys....

 

[FB_]

Thanks for all the great information. Cod hole is very high on my list but the shark feed dive was the one I am most excited about.

I know what you are saying. Even with only four dives I am much more confident than my wife but we both certainly lack the diving experience. We are both strong swimmers and have snorkelled for years so I am aware of what currents can do.

It's a tough decision, which is why I came here.

FB

 

[MA]

I have been on about 7 trips out to osprey. I have been at different times of year and except for one trip the currents were very light. I did go once in July however and the swell was huge at currents strong. Under was fine but getting back onto the boat was a challenge and not for the faint hearted. At that time of year I would go cod hole and ribbon reefs. The minke whales beat the shark feed any day. I had a quiet minke trip yet we still had a few hours with 4 minkes all around us. They come to within a metro or two just to check you out. It's amazing! Shark feed 15 mins and it's all over. A minke whale encounter can go for hours.

good luck with the decision!

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Maybe consider taking the Advanced course as part of the trip. Its not much more and you will not only gain more experience with an Instructor but also get 5 of the dives with your instructor. One of the dives is the Underwater Naturalist so you will get a great dive guide showing you some of the best life you can see on the trip.

You will have to take a deep dive elective dive anyway if you decide to go on the Cod Hole / Coral Sea trips as most of the sites are deeper than 18m and you will be resticted if you stick above that. so if you are paying $40 for an deep dive (which is one of the Advanced course core dives anyway) why not do the other 4?

It costs $130 on Taka Cairns Discount Dive Trips - TAKA Booking

Here's a few details about the Advanced course if you dont know much about it.

Cairns PADI Advanced Dive Course And Dive Trips To The Great Barrier Reef

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

 

[FB_]

Maybe consider taking the Advanced course as part of the trip. Its not much more and you will not only gain more experience with an Instructor but also get 5 of the dives with your instructor. One of the dives is the Underwater Naturalist so you will get a great dive guide showing you some of the best life you can see on the trip.

You will have to take a deep dive elective dive anyway if you decide to go on the Cod Hole / Coral Sea trips as most of the sites are deeper than 18m and you will be resticted if you stick above that. so if you are paying $40 for an deep dive (which is one of the Advanced course core dives anyway) why not do the other 4?

I was unaware that these dives were so deep. This is why I came here to get this kind of information. I'm up for anything but my wife gets very nervous. I'm sure that her nervousness will slowly go away with more experience but I'm wondering if Ocean Quest might suit our skill level more. What about the 2 night dives on Taka? Will we be able to do those dives or only as part of the Advanced class?

Thanks

FB

 

[bracko]

i think i only completed 2 dives at 18m or shallower on my 3 day cod hole/coral sea trip.

all the bommies and "wall" (sea side of the reef) dives were at least 20 usually 25-35m depending on site/tide.

you can do the night dives on taka, but I believe you will need to be accompanied by an instructor (may or may not be free) if you are not doing your advanced, I'd suggest ringing taka to ask, some shops/boats have different policies. as to whether your wife has the nerves to get in or not is up to her.

one thing to note, taka is more of a backpackers boat I have heard... if you're not up for a few drinks each night you may have trouble sleeping... i don't think it's too crazy, but it's definately more lively than the MB or SoF boats.

 

[FB_]

Spirit of Freedom is already sold out for the time we will be there. Mike Ball only has a 7 day running while we will be in Cairns. So I'm back to either Taka or Ocean Quest.

FB