Last-Minute Liveaboard and alternative suggestions

[mberkoff]

I just found out I'm going to Australia at the end of the month (woo hoo!) and am looking for any suggestions/recommendations on liveaboards to the Great Barrier Reef leaving Cairns ~ May 30-31 and returning no later than June 4. A couple of the operators I've looked at (Mike Ball, Spirit of Freedom) seem to be booked for that time, although I'm holding out hope for last-minute vacancies. But I'm also looking for alternatives for either reputable liveaboard operators who have room for 3, or good land-based operators. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

-Melissa

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

SOF and MB are the best 2 operators and they do book up quickly. They also have specials on now and then.

Mike Ball ones are lisited here:

Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Mike Ball Dive - Great Barrier Reef

Taka (budget option to SOF and Mike Ball but still same sites) occasionally offer standby prices but we send out a mailing list for these as they are last minute and for 3 people you may be chancing it.

If you want to join the mailing list go here (its a Face book thing...Search for Aquapro Dive Services if the link doesnt work Login | Facebook


Lastly consider some of the over night boats that run out of Cairns to the Outer Reef areas. Still good diving and they are lower in price with room for 3. They dont usually have last minute standby rates as they sell out reasonably quicly, but we discount them a bit if thats any help.

At least gives you a few options.

Cairns Discount Diving Trips - Overnight Dive Boats

Good luck!

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Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Australia Diving - Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi Melissa,

Taka has spaces on her trip from 1-4 June - three nights diving Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole.

Its definately worthwhile heading north from Cairns on at least a three night liveaboard trip if you want to experience some of the best diving on offer.

Have a great trip.

 

[Damselfish]

If you can't get on SOF or Mike Ball, your next best choice from Cairns is Taka. We were in a similar situation, wedging some diving into a business trip with an inflexible schedule, and wound up on Taka. I wasn't all that crazy about Taka but it would get you to some better diving than the overnight boats do. When we were on Taka they also did some dives on the return leg on the more southerly Ribbon Reefs and in the so-called "outer reef" area where the overnight boats go, and it was nowhere near as good as the Ribbon Reefs further north. If I were in the same situation again and couldn't get on SOF or MB, I might investigate staying out on one of the island resorts, though some are pretty pricey.

 

[mberkoff]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! After weighing all the options and sending out a slew of emails I found space on a Mike Ball dive. I can't wait!

 

[OnTheSpot]

You can't go wrong with a trip on Spoilsport. Let us know how it went when you get back.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Agreed. Mike Ball is definately the pick of the bunch and you wil have a fantastic trip.

Have fun!

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Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Australia Diving - Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

 

[bracko]

how often and what are the savings for standby or last minute deals on SoF, Mike Ball and Taka?

I'm pretty flexible with work at the moment and can take off on short(ish) notice... so this would be an idea... also how short notice is short notice? i guess there's no use getting a discount of $500 if the flights are going to be $1000 more!

 

[OnTheSpot]

Hi Brako,

Short notice for specials on Taka and Spirit of Freedom is pretty short... usually a couple of days to a week - pretty much stand by.

Spoilsport has 200 - 500 AUD off trips in July and August - these are only available till 10 June.

 

[mberkoff]

We just got back on Sunday night and are still reeling from the jet lag on top of being ripped from the protective cocoon of the Spoilsport. I can't speak to any other liveaboard operators because my only ever liveaboard experience has been with Mike Ball, but I must say I can't imagine how it could have gone better. The schedule was organized to maximize bottom time. I think over the course of our 7 days we did 25 dives. A couple of days we did 5 dives in a day, averaging about an hour per dive for the duration of the trip. The dive sites were incredible! The crew was fabulous and knowledgeable, the food was thoughtfully, tastefully prepared (and plentiful!), and the boat was comfortable.

We were also fortunate for the things that can't be controlled - the weather was perfect (it got a little rough on the return from Osprey Reef but we were done diving by that point so I didn't mind the bumpy ride back to Lizard Island), and the water temps were a few degrees higher than normal which for me was a welcome surprise, since I am always cold. The only thing missing was the hammerhead sharks. A few people had seen some on the previous trip to Osprey Reef but I think they must have used them all up.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and advice. I would definitely recommend Mike Ball and am looking forward to my next trip with them!