liveaboard 3 days in Cairns

[pauleybee]

We are two families (adults + teens) traveling to GBR and AU in March/April 09. We are all open water certified but one teen is not terribly keen on diving. We have been to Fiji and Roatan, with about 35 dives. We are interested in doing a liveaboard for 3 days to the outer reef, and want to book now on a good reputable boat rather than chance it on arrival. Our itinerary is not set, but everything I've heard/read puts us in Cairns for GBR.

Any suggestions on dive/boat operators?

 

[altaskier]

There are two very distinct classes of liveaboards out of Cairns. In one case you take a day boat out to the nearby reefs (an hour out) and transfer to a boat that stays out there for as many or as few days as you want. In the other case you cruise north for 12 hours or so to get to the outer ribbon reefs. I've done both; the latter is MUCH better. Mike Ball offers an option where you take the boat one way, and a low altitude flight via Lizard Island the other way, and that was just great. The trip I was on had a high school kid with his parents and he seemed to have a blast.

DIVE cairns is a broker for multiple dive ops out of Cairns, and you might get in contact with that shop to find the right trip for you. I used them and was happy.

 

[pauleybee]

Thanks, Altaskier! I'll check out DIVE Cairns. -pauleybee

 

[tracy_from_oz]

Divecairns.com.au is the best site to give you some great info on what different companies run liveaboards from Cairns.
In the sections on the site look under liveaboards but also extended livaboards as some companies there eg Spirit of freedom etc do 3 day cruises too.

In the forum itself if you have a look around there will be information on the different companies themselves and what people think of them.

They do vary in different prices as well.

I think in some previous threads ive also listed some links for Cairns itself if you need info on Cairns and things to do. I think just do a search for Cairns and it should come up.

 

[steve1969]

My wife and I just returned from Cairns and went out on the Pro-Dive 3 day 2 night trip. If you are only open water certified and would like to get your advance cert it only cost 100 aus dollars more. THe trip is $580 for the 3 day 2 night and if you would like to do the advance it is only $680. So for a $100 you get your advance cert.

The staff was great, everyone from Zack the Skipper, Oscar the divemaster all the way down.

I had heard stories about how strict they were. I inquired to the remarks to the staff on the boat and they explained how strict Quensland was pertaining to diving. I did not find any of the rules over kill, besides they are only following the laws and rules they are given. The rules also went for the staff.

If I can offer any further information pertaining to my trip let me know. I also bought an underwater camera before my trip, highly recommended.

 

[steve1969]

Oh ya, Also if you are going to be in Brisbane and have any extra time go and dive the HMAS Brisbane. Great dive...

 

[divingcairns]

I also just wanted to add that Pro Dive Cairns do not use a day transfer boat to get you out to the reef. The vessel you leave on is the one that you would stay on for the enitire trip which is why they only offer 3 day 2 night liveaboards. For a snorkeller the trip would cost $480.
Spirit of Freedom also offer a 3 day 3 night liveaboard trip to the Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs which does include a one way low level flight to Lizard Island. This trip leaves on Monday's & the snorkeller price is slightly less than for a certified diver.

HMAS Brisbane is a brilliant dive also if you happen to be heading down the coast from Cairns just south of Townsville the SS Yongala is fantastic