Liveaboards in Australia?

[aaron9876]

I did the 5 day, 14-dive coral sea trip with Taka Dive last December and had a great time. 4 of the dives were at Osprey Reef, which was spectacular. I considered it a luxury trip, but that was compared to camping in the outback for 10 days... the food was definitely very good, though.

 

[Andrew Jones]

Gidday from Cairns,

Good Afternoon Steve,

Excited to hear that you have picked the GBR as your next dive destination.

The responses so far from fellow divers are accurate. I am always pleased to hear about trips from our local operators that have made divers visiting this region have a great experience.

What I have always noticed over the last couple of years here on this site is that given 1.6 million snorkellers, divers and non water people venture out every year to whatever parts of the GBR, that the consistency of service, boat quality and experiences have led to very few complaints.

Scubaboard is a fantastic site that offers incredible insight into ALL dive locations through its members and I hope that this postive feedback promotes more members coming here to our beautiful part of the world to experience it.

I will say, that no matter which trip you finally decide on...... its going to be great mate.

I'll start praying to the weather gods for you now, as I know in June / July we have organised many many members to dive these waters from SB and as a rule NOW set with Scott T, Dive Nerd, Laurie, and our scoundrel buddies ELz and her preacher partner EL Or as a precident, we look forward to a cold beer, leaving the porch light on, if you have the time.

Cheers Andy

 

[Sstorck]

Thanks for all of the responses; They have helped to scout out my trip. I cant wait to get back to the GBR for the second time. The last time i only had 4 dives, i wont let that happen again.

Steve

 

[mig_diver]

I did the Spirit Of Freedom live aboard, same as Mark, and would highly recommend it. I loved Cod Hole, and lets face it, The Great Barrier Reef is absolutely beautiful.

 

[divenski]

Steve,

We did a Mike Ball liveaboard last July and it was great. The weather was a bit grey and the sea was a bit choppy (if you get seasick - use Kwells - sold there without a prescription - scopolamine orally - it's wonderful!), but the diving was great. It was about $1500 US per person for 3 days, including an airplane ride out to Lizard Island and boating back (they alternate - depending on your dates, could be boating out and airplane back). The crew was wonderful, the food was great, the vessel - Spoilsport - while not new, was very nice. A mix of couples and singles. It was a minke whale trip - not why we went- and we saw whales one day. The diving was great, reefs in good shape. We did a day trip out of Cairns with Poseidon (recommended by the crew of Mike Ball) and the reefs on the day trips are soooo different - one whole side of a bommie was dead - it was sad. Anyway, we did Cod Hole, Steve's Bommie, etc - check their website. I would recommend it. P.S. I am a new diver - 1 year and 37 dives - so don't have a lot to compare to - but had a great time!

Lisa

 

[hallboy]

I went out on the Nimrod explorer at the end of last year and would recommend it. One thing worth mentioning is that if you have some flexibility with your time, and you do your research beforehand as to which trips on which liveaboards you want to do, you can make substantial savings if you wait till the last minute and book when you get to Cairns as operators will drop their prices by up to half to fill the boat up if there are any spare places left. There's always the risk that you don't get exactly what you want, or even worse, end up with nothing, though...

last minute: you man the last week? the last day? 2 hours before departure?

the office of all the companies are in the same building?


Andrew, i have just open a new thread, i yould probably really help me.

in advance, thank you

 

[jcscuba]

I will be visiting Australia in July and i am interested in doing a live aboard. Can anyone give me input on which company to look at or which they have tried and liked.

Thanks

Steve

Steve: I've dove on probably 20+ live aboards. By far the best service, food, night time instructional information is provided by Mike Ball. I've dove all his boat in PNG, as well as, as well as the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef. If you can swing it financially, try to book both Coral Sea and GBR on the same trip. Different dives, great wreck, the Yongala, hugh pelagic's. Does it get any better than diving at about 25 ft around bommies, come up get don't get out of your gear, because the crew stuff's brownies in your mouth whiled putting a hot towel on your head as your tank is refilled and you are back in the water as you have taken on virtually no nitrogen.

Trip of a lifetime. Google Mike Ball Australia J.C.

P.S. Depending on where you live our summer is their winter. You don't probably want to go in their winter. I'd advise trip insurance because the waters of Australia really change. The group that followed us came didn't get out for a couple of days because of hugh ocean swells.

 

[Ravzie]

Count me in as an advocate for Spirit of Freedom. I can't compare it to the other boats, but we thought this was a marvelous boat with a wonderful crew. We were totally pampered. Great food. This trip was possibly one of the greatest things we've ever, ever done.

I highly recommend the Bridge Climb if you go down to Sydney.