Liveaboard Great Barrier Reef low budget

[Tiny Splash]

Me and my boyfriend are backpackers with backpacker money and would love to do a liveaboard trip to the Great Barrier Reef. We are both certified divers and would ideally like to do a 3 day/night trip with about $500 Aus max to spend each around late march. Can anyone recommend a company or offer us any deals??? Plus advice on where is best to go would also be appreciated.

Please please help us out!!!!

 

[Andrew Jones]

Dear Tiny, regarding your dive trip there are a couple of things to consider when selecting the right trip out of cairns. Firstly whether you want the diving to be extreme and the vessell average, or the diving to be relaxing and the boat to have something to offer as well. 3 Companies come to mind that I think may all have something to offer. Firstly a 3day/ 2 night on Reef Encounter offers some good diving over 5 locations with 8 day dives and 1 night dive for $430.00 p person or $560.00 with stateroom cabin. visit www.reeftrip.com.au. 2nd Option is Pro dive 3 day/2 night with nicer diving and twin share cabin for $560.00 pper brochure price. 3rd option is Rum Runner a crappy boat but going to Holmes reef off the continental shelf about 240kilometres for shark feeds and 4 days 11 dives. Finally my suggestion is to not book until you get here because they sometimes have standby rates which means you get a really great deal. Finally, permits do count. Any questions, dont hesitate to ask me direct. regards Andrew

Me and my boyfriend are backpackers with backpacker money and would love to do a liveaboard trip to the Great Barrier Reef. We are both certified divers and would ideally like to do a 3 day/night trip with about $500 Aus max to spend each around late march. Can anyone recommend a company or offer us any deals??? Plus advice on where is best to go would also be appreciated.

Please please help us out!!!!

 

[Jeddah Aquanaut]

Hi there,

I also did the 3 day liveaboard trip with Pro Dive out of Cairns. It was great value for very good diving (August last year). The boat was new, the crew friendly and professional, the diving excellent. I stayed overnight at a backpacker guest house near the train station, and Pro Dive picked me up and dropped off. They even have a sale aboard of shirts, hats...etc. at a discount (compared with the shop), and this money is what they divide amongst themselves in lieu of tipping one staff person over another. Works out fair for all. All equipment provided (even prescription lenses), and is all in excellent condition. The most beautiful dive was night, when surfacing at the end, millions of stars around, and no light pollution. Absolute paradise. Anyway, I second the choice of Pro Dive. Australia, beautiful people, beautiful nature, great diving, and drive-through bottle shops. Doesn't get any better! Cheers!

Dear Tiny, regarding your dive trip there are a couple of things to consider when selecting the right trip out of cairns. Firstly whether you want the diving to be extreme and the vessell average, or the diving to be relaxing and the boat to have something to offer as well. 3 Companies come to mind that I think may all have something to offer. Firstly a 3day/ 2 night on Reef Encounter offers some good diving over 5 locations with 8 day dives and 1 night dive for $430.00 p person or $560.00 with stateroom cabin. visit www.reeftrip.com.au. 2nd Option is Pro dive 3 day/2 night with nicer diving and twin share cabin for $560.00 pper brochure price. 3rd option is Rum Runner a crappy boat but going to Holmes reef off the continental shelf about 240kilometres for shark feeds and 4 days 11 dives. Finally my suggestion is to not book until you get here because they sometimes have standby rates which means you get a really great deal. Finally, permits do count. Any questions, dont hesitate to ask me direct. regards Andrew

 

[Tiny Splash]

Thank you for the advice, we have looked at various brochures. I think the idea of waiting until we get there is helpful as we are not entirely sure on dates. The Pro Dive option looked good in the brochure but it is nice to get recommendations from previous customers. We will be travelling between Brisbane and Cairns sometime next month. We are an instructor and a divemaster so we have been itching to get back in the water!!!!

Further suggestions always welcome.
Thanks again!!

Hi there,

I also did the 3 day liveaboard trip with Pro Dive out of Cairns. It was great value for very good diving (August last year). The boat was new, the crew friendly and professional, the diving excellent. I stayed overnight at a backpacker guest house near the train station, and Pro Dive picked me up and dropped off. They even have a sale aboard of shirts, hats...etc. at a discount (compared with the shop), and this money is what they divide amongst themselves in lieu of tipping one staff person over another. Works out fair for all. All equipment provided (even prescription lenses), and is all in excellent condition. The most beautiful dive was night, when surfacing at the end, millions of stars around, and no light pollution. Absolute paradise. Anyway, I second the choice of Pro Dive. Australia, beautiful people, beautiful nature, great diving, and drive-through bottle shops. Doesn't get any better! Cheers!