thumbsplitter
Contributor
Hi All,
I’m hoping someone who frequents this forum can help me with some decisions for an upcoming trip.
My wife and I will be in Cairns for a conference next June. We did a liveaboard on the GBR 2004, but the reports of coral death in the Cairns area had us less excited about diving the GBR again. Then I was talking with a dive buddy and she mentioned Heron Island of Southern Queensland, where the reef seems to be doing much better. We are now very excited about staying on Heron Island before heading up to Cairns, but the flights and one ferry between Gladstone to Heron per day are proving to be logistical nightmares. For example, we would have to add-on a day in Gladstone and/or Brisbane on both sides of our stay on the island. So here are my questions:
1. For those of you who have been to Heron Island, do you think it is worth it compared to trying to find something closer to Cairns?
2. I’ve seen very few liveaboards or other options to dive around Heron Island (Capricorn Group?) If, in fact, the northern sections of the reef around Cairns are as bad as reports, does anyone have any suggestions for a way to get in 4-5 days of diving further south?
Thanks,
--Thumbsplitter
I’m hoping someone who frequents this forum can help me with some decisions for an upcoming trip.
My wife and I will be in Cairns for a conference next June. We did a liveaboard on the GBR 2004, but the reports of coral death in the Cairns area had us less excited about diving the GBR again. Then I was talking with a dive buddy and she mentioned Heron Island of Southern Queensland, where the reef seems to be doing much better. We are now very excited about staying on Heron Island before heading up to Cairns, but the flights and one ferry between Gladstone to Heron per day are proving to be logistical nightmares. For example, we would have to add-on a day in Gladstone and/or Brisbane on both sides of our stay on the island. So here are my questions:
1. For those of you who have been to Heron Island, do you think it is worth it compared to trying to find something closer to Cairns?
2. I’ve seen very few liveaboards or other options to dive around Heron Island (Capricorn Group?) If, in fact, the northern sections of the reef around Cairns are as bad as reports, does anyone have any suggestions for a way to get in 4-5 days of diving further south?
Thanks,
--Thumbsplitter