Liveaboard from Cairns in July

[Suzanne Barrett]

Hello divers
We're planning to take a liveaboard trip from Cairns in July, probably on Taka 4 day trip to Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs. Is this a good dive boat and company? Are they good with new (certified) divers? And is July a good time of year to dive there? Any other advice?

 

[bracko]

July is a great time of year, you might even see/swim with a minkie whale or 2.

water is generally clear and it's not too hot...

taka is an older boat than mike ball and spirit of freedom and their trip is a little different in that they don't fly you up to lizard island then boat you down. I decided to dive with Mike Ball as the price difference was worth the flight and extra comforts.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Got to agree with bracko here. Mike Ball and Spirit of Freedom offer more luxuary and pampering (warm towels at end of dive and complimentary glass of wine with dinner - that sort of thing), but at the end of the day you are on the same or similar dive sites.

Taka is an older boat but still very comfotable and offers a very enjoyable trip.

July is a great choice too as bracko says - almost certain to see Minkes.


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Cairns Live Aboard Over Night Dive Trips To The Outer Barrier Reef, Cod Hole And Coral Sea.

 

[Cnz Diver]

Hi Suzanne,

We have just come back from a trip on Spirit of Freedom, the trip was fantastic. The diving locations were great, I think July would be a great time of year as the vis would be better.

I can't wait to get back out to Osprey Reef next time.

 

[Damselfish]

I was not all that thrilled with TAKA, I've commented on some other thread around here. No problem with new divers though, they had a number on our trip and seemed used to handling that. I would go with Mike Ball or Spirit or Freedom unless they are booked (which is how I wound up on TAKA.) Or the price difference is an issue.

It's not entirely true they dive the same sites, at least not when we did it. They dive some of the same sites, but since TAKA is traveling back to port at the beginning and end of each trip they did some sites closer to Cairns that weren't as good. I don't think we got as much of the good stuff.

 

[Cnz Diver]

Hi Suzanne,

We have just posted a review of our trip on Spirit of Freedom, you might like it - Spirit of Freedom Trip Review: 3 Day Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs

 

[rdbean]

I was hoping to do something similar in June in hopes of seeing some minkes, but the dates didn't work out with my business schedule.

Minke Whales - snorke and dive with them | Sydney Scuba Diving Blog

FWIW I think they guys go out withe Mike Ball.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Hey rdbean not sure what your schedule is, but remember the Minke season runs June to start of September and there are a few different boats going to the Ribbon Reef areas so you may be able to fit something in. Taka, Mike Ball and Spirit of Fredom all go up.

 

[Pillpusher]

Hey rdbean not sure what your schedule is, but remember the Minke season runs June to start of September and there are a few different boats going to the Ribbon Reef areas so you may be able to fit something in. Taka, Mike Ball and Spirit of Fredom all go up.

I'll be on SOF June 6th-13th. Can't wait!!! Really hope to see some minke wales too.

 

[rdbean]

I'm in Perth so was hoping to do something up that way when I was already scheduled to be over east....

Still sorting things on either end of my trip though!