I want to dive.. The great barrier reef

[Tigerman]

The snow heres not doing very well, as its melting.. The ice is soon off the water and the spring just started to show with tempratures up to and including 9 celcius this weekend

What im mostly interested in would be september/october at the time since I might want to flee the country for my birthday

 

[Eau_Girl]

Orrr change my trip dates entirely ?? I have a changable ticket..

I had presumed March would be good as that would be the end (ish) of the OZ summer

Hi LM, I did 2 dive trips in March. One from 8-14 March and another from 17-24 March. On the first trip the weather wasn't great. It rained from time to time but the main problem was the wind and sea conditions. We didn't make it to Ospey on that trip. On the second trip the weather was beautiful and the seas were pretty calm.

I did another trip at the end of Jan 2006 (still in the cyclone season) and had fabulous weather.

From speaking to the crews on both boats, the weather in 2008 has been very odd. They had weeks on end when none/few of the boats made it to Osprey. Lots of rain in the area. Winds from the 'wrong' direction which made mooring up more difficult.

You're like to still have a good time. If you wait to book until you get to Sydney you might not get a place on your preferred boat and flights could be more expenseive. But on the other hand you could get a great deal.

Andrew...are you around......please advise LM.

 

[Lord Melch]

You're like to still have a good time. If you wait to book until you get to Sydney you might not get a place on your preferred boat and flights could be more expenseive. But on the other hand you could get a great deal.

Andrew...are you around......please advise LM.

Eau, thanks for all the tips.. How could I not have a good time ? Two weeks in OZ with my OZ dive buddy, all my kit and OZ as my oyster..

 

[Eau_Girl]

LM, you are right, sounds like a great trip!

If I'm diving I'm happy especially if the viz and the conditions are better than Wraybury or Stoney Cove!

 

[Lord Melch]

if the viz and the conditions are better than Wraybury or Stoney Cove!

That can't be hard I have yet to dive in the UK. May try this "summer" All of my diving has been in the Med or Red Sea

 

[Andrew Jones]

Good Afternoon L, LM......

How are you both. Wearing your woolly's hey.

The weather is a topic we can always guarantee that there are no guarantee's... true.

What we can guarantee though is that later in the year is the most popular time for divers because IT IS sppose to be better. Therefore the pricing is normally rack rate. If, however you had 2 weeks I can guarantee that you would be diving even if you waited till arriving here. Just not neccessarily on the boat you had to have. Locations would be same, just maybe Spirit instead of Undersea or verse visa and if you can live with that then the pricing would maybe be at a cheaper rate.

EAU had the luxury of doing 2 different operations because she had choices by booking a bit earlier. We managed a better rate on one of the trips which was great.

Right now S.B members Amber and her Dad are out diving. Budget was tight, however because its April / May we got them a far superior trip for their budget. Booked it about 3 weeks out and the key I suppose is to communicate. We kept in touch and therefore could bend a little bit and got the best for our buck even though they also are here for 2 weeks.

There weather has been a bit dodgy also. Saturday's departure was 20 knots.... however today and tommorrow are 15knts with sunshine. Amber 50 dives / her Dad 1000, I expect different feedback from both which I promise you will hear about one way or the other.

Cyber from the U.K, just did Pro Dive in 30knots, however his PM to me yesterday said he still had a great time.

I know Im going round and round here not providing many answers, I suppose experience has shown me that flexibility is your best chance.

Andy

 

[Lord Melch]

Good afternoon Andrew.

No woollies, it's 31deg here in the UK. Just got back from diving off the South Coast, on a U-Boat.
Managed to see some Rays, 3 big Hammerheads and some turtles.
Filled up on the way back with fuel in my V8 as the Government just announced an 80% cut in fuel and alcohol duty so Unleaded is now 5p a litre an beer is 2p a pint.
Met Office announced since a shift in the Gulf Stream the temp will be from now on very similar to Hawaii, all year round...
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Then I woke up

So you are based in Cairns eh ? Ideal. So far I have contacted Suzie from
Down Under Diving
Bettina from Diversion Dive Travel and
Carmen from Scubadive.com - all found via Google

My plans are to visit my pals in Sydney, then head up to Nelson Bay where my dive buddy lives and then both of us visit the GBR..

It seems that a Liveaboard is the best option for a few days to see the best reef. it will of course all be time and cost dependant..

Any tips appreciated..