Liveaboard in Australia

[mpez0]

My wife and I just returned from our best liveaboard week ever, on Mike Ball's Spoilsport. We went GBR up to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Great trip in every way.

 

[Andrew Jones]

De.... when are you getting here, how many dives have you done, what cert level and finally where have you dived before so I can understand what you would expect out off your trip

Andy

 

[scubagirlblues]

and are looking for more locals-oriented liveaboards. The Undersea Explorer & Taka seem to be geared for international tourists & priced accordingly, as well as lumping divers into the one-time visit category, i.e. "it's not like they're coming back here anytime soon so the service is what it is"

We've been advised to seek out dive operators that cater to the locals more, and therefore will have the better overall experience.

Now, as for luxury, really underwater is where it counts, so we're ok with bunk beds if it comes to that! Although we are thoughtful hedonists and do appreciate the finer things in life So we'll look at all possibilities.

It seems from this thread that Mike Ball's Spoilsport & Spirit of Freedom are good bets... any others come to mind?

Thanks!

 

[recd]

I have been on TAKA once and Undersea twice.

TAKA had mostly international tourists who were also completing their advanced PADI course. Bunks, good food and plenty of it. Well setup, had a good time. Did the 4 day Cod hole trip.

Undersea Explorer had about half aussies and half international on both trips. Bunks, good food and plenty of it. I found the Undersea crew fantastic. Usually have some marine biologists on board conducting some research. If you are interested they will give a presentation on what they are doing. We had one tagging sharks and one studying Manta rays. Also do some long term studies on Nautilus. Did the Osprey reef 6 day trip both times. The live pickups are an experience. Planning the Raine Island trip for November.

Mike Ball's boat has spoil in the tittle for a reason. You do get well looked after. Very luxurious.
Have been told Spirit is similar. Both also do trips to Osprey reef

Not sure I understood your comment about the cost. TAKA and Undersea are cheaper than Spirit and Spoilsport.

Whoever you go with its worth choosing a trip that includes some diving at Osprey reef in the coral sea. I go for the diving so as long as I have a bed and enough to eat don't really care about the size of my room. If the diving is the main thing I highly recommend Undersea.


Cheers

Col

 

[Louwphotography]

We also dove on Mike Ball's Spoilsport in November and had a great time. I posted my trip report here: Trip Report - Mike Ball GBR, Nov 2007

We had the cheapest cabin (bunk beds) so it wasn't all luxury for us, but the food, service and diving were fantastic.

 

[ospreydivers]

I wouldn't bother with overnight trips out of Cairns, definately go for the longer 4 or 5 day liveaboard trips to the Cod Hole or osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
I have dived with both TAKA Dive and Mike Ball Dive and although both were great trips I would recommend Taka. I do get seasick & found their boat is more stable, the crew are great too - always there if you need them but not "in your face". Both trips depart from Cairns. Taka is also a little cheaper than Mike Ball.
I actually preferred the shorter Cod Hole trip to the Osprey Reef trip - it may have been due to better weather when I did the Cod Hole (December) than I had when I did Osprey Reef (March).

 

[scubagirlblues]

Wow, thank you all for posting such good & specific advice. I'm getting a better picture of the operators, and can start to have a basis for choosing!

We're definitely want a longer trip that goes to Osprey Reef & Coral Sea, and we're actually trying to get 6-7 days in, so all of these operators look good for that.

Thanks, Recd for the info about Undersea - I was wondering how much interaction divers had with the scientists aboard... would enjoy that sort of thing!

Well, we're looking forwad to getting there... April seems too far away for now...

Especially after diving in 42 degree water yesterday morning - 7mm can feel awfully thin

 

[Andrew Jones]

Just tuned back into the tread...... everyone except Nimrod explorer was mentioned.

Mike Ball is my neighbour at 143 Lake street, and Pam (TAKA ) lives just down the road at 131 Lake. I will pass on all your positive feedback.

Julie, the Videographer on board Spoilsport has just dropped in for a New Year coffee and shown me the most amazing 2 min peice of shark feed footage I think she has ever taken. The sharks are knocking her around a bit she is so close and I personally think this put the great White Cage diving to shame.

Having been an agent for ALL 60 boats to visit the reef for the last 15 years, I still come back to When is your trip ( Minke time ) Feb to May ( wet season), July to November ( peak and most expensive )

Have fun regards Andy

 

[vladimir]

I dove the Spoilsport twice, but not lately. The diving was excellent and the boat and crew were also top notch, but that was back in December 2000. Mike Ball greeted us himself. He said, "Hi, I'm Mike Ball himself."

 

[vladimir]

Mike Ball is my neighbour at 143 Lake street

Tell Mike that Vladimir himself says hello.