Hi there, need some suggestions for Brisbane Australia Diving Trips

[horizonseeker]

Hi, there, I'm traveling to Brisbane from the US in October, and would like to get on a live-aboard dive trip out of Brisbane for about 3 days, max of 3 nights 4 days. I am open water certified.

Anyone has a suggestions for a reputable company to sign up with?

Ideally I'd like to leave around the night of the 8th or morning of the 9th of October for the trip. I had originally planned to go to Cairns, but looks like if I can do it in Brisbane, the saving in travel time would give me an extra day in OZ to play with.

I will be traveling by myself, so I'm hoping the single supplement is not going to be overly costly.

I would also like to get a few night dives in, is this only offered to advanced divers? I will be getting advanced certification for free when i return to the States, so I would rather not pay the 160 to get certified on this trip.

Last thing, I will be bringing my own mask, snorkel, glove, booties. But should I bring my own fin? leaving them home would cut down on my packing significantly but I don't know if that would be wise.

Thanks for reading my rambling. Looking forward to diving in the reef.

David.

 

[Wantonmien]

David,

Not a liveaboard, but you can fly pretty easily from North of Brisbane (eg:Maroochydore) direct to the bottom of the GBR and stay on solid ground on Lady Elliot little sand island.

Lady Elliot Island Great Barrier Reef - Official site

Can book flight/accomodation through the website.

Diving is good there, albeit when I was there earlier this year they limited us to two dives a day !

Enjoy

 

[Kern]

Dive Trips — Big Cat Reality

 

[horizonseeker]

Thanks for the replies.

Wantonmien, I would like to stay around in Brisbane for the dive because I will be flying to Uluru for another trip and would like to reduce the travel time at both ends. I originally planned to go to Cairns but wanted to cut out the travel time.

Big Cat was one of those that I found on google. Not having any experience, i was hoping to get some feedback. Kern, what was your impression of them if I may ask?

 

[marinediva]

Sorry Guys but Maroochydore is 50mins from Brisbane Airport by car,
Plane, never heard of anyone taking a plane, But Lady Elliot is at least another three hours north.

The Big Cat is great, been a year or more since I went on a weekend on it, but it is fun, economical, and very social. Good time had by all.

Think they only operate at the weekend though.

Some other great diving round Brisbane would be off Stradbroke.
There are Grey Nurse and Manta Rays, if ya lucky maybe a humpback or two, since the season is not yet finished.

the HMAS BRisbane is also a great wreck dive and worth the effort to take the drive an hour north. Byron Bay is also a good dive and worth the dive south. Not much happens mid week Bris Vegas so depending on when you arrive may be worth the drive.

 

[horizonseeker]

I'm in Brisbane for a wedding and will be done by the 8th, was checking the schedule and they do have a tour out that day. so maybe I'll do that and also check out the wreck dive.

guess will have to figure out transportation issues, either rent a car or something.

 

[marinediva]

Far best to rent a car.
It is a nice area, the Sunshine coast.
You will need to get the car the afternoon before as it is early start for the wreck dive.
you should be finished by12 noon or so and maybe take a trip up to Maleny or Noosa.
Very nice hinterland area with some wineries and lots to see and do.
HMAS Brisbane is becoming a must do for travellers coming through Brisbane and it is worth it.

 

[Wantonmien]

Sorry Guys but Maroochydore is 50mins from Brisbane Airport by car, Plane, never heard of anyone taking a plane, But Lady Elliot is at least another three hours north.

Marinediva, I made the flights Maroochydore to Lady Elliot and back again in January, takes 1 hour 15 mins

Maroochydore/Lady Elliot SE600 Dep 07:30 Arr 08:45*

They will also fly you to Lady Eliiot from other places, including a place closer to Brisbane. Have a look Day Trip & Scenic Flight to Lady Elliot Island from Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) or Bundaberg - Great Barrier Reef weddings Lady Elliot - Official site flights easy to get via the website, but accomodation on the island fairly pricey.

Cheers

 

[marinediva]

My mistake, I read it as you made a trip from Brisbane airport to Maroochydore.
Maroochydore to Lady Elliot makes more sense.

 

[Wantonmien]

marinediva,

No probs~ the Maroochydore to LE is a tiny little plane, seats about 8 and pretty bumpy ride I won't forget in a hurry !

I see you mentioned Noosa in thread earlier, and for info while staying there I also tracked down the guy who runs Welcome to Dive Noosa - Sunshine Coasts premier reef diving destination. and made a couple of decent dives about 1km out from Tea Tree bay with him, nothing spectacular but if staying in Noosa worth considering.

Cheers