phasechange
Contributor
Here’s a trip report which may be of use if you are thinking of Cairns for a trip -
Arrangements.
Pro Dive out of Cairns (3 day 2 night). Wanted to take a longer outing but time and money were limited.
Loved the fact that we got our room almost as soon as we boarded and we could relax in the room before and after the dive (on the way to and back to port). I didn’t like the idea of being hurried on a transfer boat for first and last dives.
We had a double room with a window on the main level. Felt small (as all liveaboards are) but was big enough for me 6 2”. Beds were comfortable and clean.
Food—buffet style limited first serving but then left overs always seemed plentiful. The cook Sam made some great desserts and meals(always diving eating or sleeping). Some meals could be better, could be worse but I am picky. At meal time the dinning area did get a bit crowded.
This seemed to be a younger crowd on our boat but there was a range of ages. We did have one larger group 14 out of the 32 on board that were younger (20s)
Crew -- The crew was great to work with and would help with anything. Eric’s dive briefings were great. You could tell he really liked the area and liked to talk about the dive sites and not just a boring here is the reef swim here and here.
Diving
There was a large portion of the group that was completing their dive training on our boat. This actually worked great as they split the certified divers and the trainees into separate groups during gear prep and staging. After the group completed their training the deck did get a bit crowded for a dive or two.
Certified divers were allowed to dive with buddy and no guide (you could go with the guide group if you wanted ) We took our own gear except for wet suits. Wetsuit fit just depended on body style and size mine was a bit tight and others seemed loose. Their bc’s looked newer and not sure on the regulators.
All dives using air (they had 80 and 100s) and tanks refilled fully (at least 3000 psi)
Saw all the regular creatures you would expect (to many to list). Visibility was around 90ft. Diving was great with no long waits to enter the water or long waits to exit. The boat steps were easy to use even with some waves. Dives were limited to 60min for day dives and 30min for night dives . Night dives were great with sharks, turtles and red bass.
Overall – Outstanding trip
Arrangements.
Pro Dive out of Cairns (3 day 2 night). Wanted to take a longer outing but time and money were limited.
Loved the fact that we got our room almost as soon as we boarded and we could relax in the room before and after the dive (on the way to and back to port). I didn’t like the idea of being hurried on a transfer boat for first and last dives.
We had a double room with a window on the main level. Felt small (as all liveaboards are) but was big enough for me 6 2”. Beds were comfortable and clean.
Food—buffet style limited first serving but then left overs always seemed plentiful. The cook Sam made some great desserts and meals(always diving eating or sleeping). Some meals could be better, could be worse but I am picky. At meal time the dinning area did get a bit crowded.
This seemed to be a younger crowd on our boat but there was a range of ages. We did have one larger group 14 out of the 32 on board that were younger (20s)
Crew -- The crew was great to work with and would help with anything. Eric’s dive briefings were great. You could tell he really liked the area and liked to talk about the dive sites and not just a boring here is the reef swim here and here.
Diving
There was a large portion of the group that was completing their dive training on our boat. This actually worked great as they split the certified divers and the trainees into separate groups during gear prep and staging. After the group completed their training the deck did get a bit crowded for a dive or two.
Certified divers were allowed to dive with buddy and no guide (you could go with the guide group if you wanted ) We took our own gear except for wet suits. Wetsuit fit just depended on body style and size mine was a bit tight and others seemed loose. Their bc’s looked newer and not sure on the regulators.
All dives using air (they had 80 and 100s) and tanks refilled fully (at least 3000 psi)
Saw all the regular creatures you would expect (to many to list). Visibility was around 90ft. Diving was great with no long waits to enter the water or long waits to exit. The boat steps were easy to use even with some waves. Dives were limited to 60min for day dives and 30min for night dives . Night dives were great with sharks, turtles and red bass.
Overall – Outstanding trip
