SCUBA in Port Douglas or Cairns for AD divers?

[colin.wen]

Hi all,
Just looking for suggestion and advice for either departure from Port Douglas or Cairns to outer reefs.
Friend of mine has good experience at diving out of Port Douglas, but he forgot the name of the reef and where is it.

The thing is another open water friend and I will visit other friends in Cairns then take a off-road trip via Daintree to Cooktown.
Personally, I prefer to leave my diving gear in Cairns instead of carrying all the way.
That's why I am considering the outer reef of Cairns.
From some info I have searched at internet, Milne reef is pretty good for experienced diver.
Because I have spent hours and hours in South GBR (Great Keppels) for my research.
Since I am going to have a recreational dive finally, I want to see something different.
Been to Yongala once, and will visit them again in the end of this year, so some different seascape will be better.

Never have diving experience around Carins (except Lizard island), so any good visibility outer reef and diverse marine creature will be something I am looking for.

Any advice and suggestion from local divers/DM/Instructors will be appreciated.

ps. do not expect a luxury trip since I am a poor student, any big dingy (like Yongala express) will be good enough for me.

Colin

 

[Cnz Diver]

Hi Colin,

I think Tusa Dive T5 is the best dive boat from Cairns, they can go to Milln Reef is the weather is good, the boat is fast the dive crew are great and they let you go on unguided dives with a buddy. You can read our review of T5 on our blog - Tusa Dive

 

[colin.wen]

Thanks a lot for your info and experience (nice blog), Cnz Diver.

From your blog, you only went to Saxon reef and Hastings reef.
So how's the wind speed that make Tusa only dive in these two instead of Milne reef?
Because from the forecast, this weekend wont be too ideal.
If this is the case, I may even just give up to dive there then.

Cheers
Colin

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

I agree that Tusa is probably the pick and also it is offereing 3 dives for price of 2 at the moment.

For budget boat look at Reefquest (doubles as a transfer vesel to the over night boat so oes to Outer Reef as well) Cairns Day Dive Trips Aboard Reef Quest To The Great Barrier Reef

Cairns has few more options than Port, but you are probably thinking of Agincourt Reef out of Port. Poseidon and Haba are good day boats out of there.

Here is a link to a few of the options for both places Cairns Day Diving Trips to the Great Barrier Reef


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Cairns Discount Dive And Snorkel Trips. Live Aboard And Day Trips To The Great Barrier Reef

 

[bracko]

you as the customer unfortunately have no input as to what sites you go to. the skipper picks the site based on their weather information, and probably where they've been recently.

saying that I'm pretty sure that Tusa has been to milne reef both times I've been on them.

great looking boat, BIG and fast and mainly caters to snorkeling type folk. the deal is that divers get the deck first to get in the water though, so you're not fighting off the hords.

 

[colin.wen]

＠ Aquapro & bracko
Thanks for reply.

It sounds like Tusa got pretty good review and reputation.
I'd really like to dive around agincourt, since my friend said its awesome.
He got enough experience, so its quite convinced.
But this time I have limit window opened between diving and off-road trip, so I think its easier to stick to shop in Cairns.

I will chat with my friend about Tusa, if she is happy we will be there this weekend, booyah~~

From the forecast, the wind will cease during the weekend.
Finger cross for me for making to Milne reef.