Liveaboards Diving Whitsunday Islands

[akshan]

Hi, we are planning a trip to AU in November. We are looking to dive the GBR. The kind of experience we are looking for is one that is intimate and small, no cattle boats, please. We are both experienced divers, and would prefer a liveaboard to take us to remote places. As experiences sailors, a sailboat would also be nice. Does anyone out there have knowledge of a safe, clean outfit that fits the bill? Also, areas to dive would be great, we are hitting the travel books now. Thanks!

 

[100magicmiles]

Diving in the islands themselves isn't all that good because of sediment in the water that is stirred up by the strong tides in this area. Mediocre visibility can be expected most of the time and in the spring time, when tidal ranges are large, visibility can be quite poor. Sediment around the islands smothers the coral life in the islands and prevents it from thriving like on the outer reef.

There are, however, good dive sites in the Whitsundays if you know where to look. The northern side of Hook Island has some great diving and snorkelling because it is exposed to the clear waters of a flooding tide and somewhat sheltered from the northerly flowing ebb tide which brings sediment from around the islands with it.

For a guide to all the best dive spots around the area, visit the 100 Magic Miles website, where there is a diving section outlining top sites. There is also an area of the site which lists diving outfits.

 

[MA]

Barrier Reef and Osprey Reef. Look into Spirit of Freedom, Taka and Mike Ball.

Fantastic and november is a great time to go just before wet season.

 

[akshan]

awesome, thank you so much for all the info!

 

[Under-Exposed]

Matanuska-Susitna Valley? Well, you will certainly enjoy the warm water in November! I am off on a Mike Ball trip to Osprey on Thursday, so will let you know how it goes.

 

[akshan]

awesome.. with the great info I got here, I am looking at sites further up....so any further thoughts on that would be great...

Nov is not too bad, talk to me in FEB!