Islands around Cairns

[jnylaw]

Looks like we are going to fly to Townsville, do a couple of days diving there on Yongala and Wheeler Reef (no 2day liveabroad though, we might have to do two day
trips). Then get a ride up to Cairns and spend a day there. Any suggestions on where
to visit on the way from Townsville to Cairns? Will definitely visit the rainforest in Cairns.

- j

 

[alc16]

Looks like we are going to fly to Townsville, do a couple of days diving there on Yongala and Wheeler Reef (no 2day liveabroad though, we might have to do two day
trips). Then get a ride up to Cairns and spend a day there. Any suggestions on where
to visit on the way from Townsville to Cairns? Will definitely visit the rainforest in Cairns.

- j

If you want to do the Yongala another suggestion would be to do quick day trips with www.yongaladive.com.au - they're based at a place called Alva Beach near the town of Ayr and the use a speedboat to get to the wreck...takes about 45-50 mins but is dependant on the weather. I highly recommend them! They usually finish 2 dives before any of the Townsville based operators arrive at the site although when i was there, a Mike Ball liveaboard had already moored up.

If I remember correctly the drive from Townsville to Ayr is a couple of hours. Probably the best place to stay rather than Alva Beach as the latter has nothing apart from a camp site (i was driving around Oz and that was my main form of accomodation). I hear Ayr has some accomodation although you're best researching this if it is something you want to consider.

Oh and the sea life was amazing around the Yongala. We didn't see the bull shark that had been there on the previous few dives but i do recall most things being larger than "normal" - also, you may even get to see a couple of toilets!

 

[jnylaw]

Hi alc16

Did you dive at the other sites in Townsville or Cairns? If I have time to do another
day trip, where would you recommend? When did you go with Yongala Dive? How
was the boat ride and the sea conditions?

- j

 

[alc16]

Hi alc16

Did you dive at the other sites in Townsville or Cairns? If I have time to do another
day trip, where would you recommend? When did you go with Yongala Dive? How
was the boat ride and the sea conditions?

- j

I did a 3 day/night liveaboard on the Spirit of Freedom from Cairns beginning of September - pretty much an awesome trip in terms of service and facilities (my first liveaboard!). The diving was to Cod Hole and surrounding reefs. The quality of diving was "ok".

I found the Yongala to be very impressive in terms of sealife. Definitely a must do if the conditions are right. I was lucky - the water at the surface was pretty calm and the only thing noticeable was the current during the dive. Vis was pretty good at over 15 metres. Due to the calm waters the boat trip was very quick. Wind was pretty minimal too. I did this trip a few days following the Cairns liveaboard.

I also did some diving around the Whitsunday Islands and from Bundaberg. Both were 3 day/3 night trips although the former is more just cruising/sailing around the islands and not a dedicated diving trip.

If I could do another day dive? Probably the Yongala again! Yes, it was that good. I'm sure others who've been may possibly agree.
HTH.
Alan

 

[slipslop]

Hi there,

Going to Australia around the end of Nov. Have about 2-3 days available for diving ...
not enough for the Coral Sea liveabroad. Have been thinking about some islands
around Cairns, like Lizard Island, Heron Island, Green Island... We will be flying from
Brisbane, so we are pretty flexible how south we can go. Any suggestions? The main
thing that we want to see are big fish and animals like sharks. Not so keen on reef nor
turtles. Any suggestions on where to go? How about Yongala Wreck? Can we do it
in 2-3days? Is Townville where we should be based?

Thanks!!

You need megabucks to stay on Lizard island. The Coral around green island is pretty bashed up from too many flippered feet and Heron is too far south of Cairns and also expensive. if you can find a trip to osprey reef you are bound to see big fish and sharks. i think undersea explorer does trips there. if you do the yolanga you need to be based in townsville

 

[jnylaw]

Flying to Townsville on Nov 26, leaving Cairns on Nov 29. Will definitely do 1 day of
Yongala. The other two days are open. Any suggestion for day trip between Townsville
and Cairns?

- j

 

[slipslop]

Flying to Townsville on Nov 26, leaving Cairns on Nov 29. Will definitely do 1 day of
Yongala. The other two days are open. Any suggestion for day trip between Townsville
and Cairns?

- j

There is a trip to Beaver cay from mission beach & dunk island. sorry I cant remember the tour operators name :11ztongue sunferries operates a day trip to john brewer reef from magnetic island :11:

 

[jnylaw]

Any recommendation on day trip out of Cairns? Flynn Reef seems like one of the
best.

- j

 

[slipslop]

Any recommendation on day trip out of Cairns? Flynn Reef seems like one of the
best.

- j

i did a liveaboard trip to flynn reef with pro dive last year
it was fantastic, a really pristine reef in 2002 i did Norman reef with down under dive, the trip was great but the reef was not a bit bashed there were about 10 other boats and a pontoon there, so you can imagine how battered the reef gets there.

 

[jnylaw]

Is Flynn Reef accessible by day trip from Cairns? The dive operators seem not to say
for sure which dive sites they will go to.

- j