Single diver - GBR March/April 2010

[Sandpipa]

Hi there,

I know there's plenty of advice already on here about liveaboards from Cairns, but as I'm travelling on a fairly tight budget I wonder if anyone could kindly suggest which might present the best value for money for a single (female) diver - cabins etc?

I'm hoping to be there in March or April next year, fingers crossed!

Many thanks in advance,

Sandpipa.

 

[Codiak]

With enough notice the boats may be able to find you an appropriate room mate, or provide contact for a group excursion currently looking to fill cabins.

Mike Ball and Pro Dive are where I'd start
www.mikeball.com
Pro Dive Cairns - Great Barrier Reef Scuba Diving - Diver Training - Great Barrier Reef - Australia

 

[ry]

I went for a quad share cabin, its the cheapest way for a solo diver. Kinda taking your chances as they don't guarantee same sex bunking. For me, Im not that picky it's just a place to put my head down after an amazing day of diving.

 

[altaskier]

I did a trip on Mike Ball as a single diver. Ended up sharing a room with opposite sex (I'm a guy) but it was really no big deal, as the rooms are small and all you do is crash there after a great day of diving. We ended up as dive buddies and that also worked well, but during the surface time we hung out with different groups in the roomy lounge area and on the deck. Really, no problem for a single diver. Go for it!

You do realize that Mike Ball, Spirit of Freedom, and Taka all go on multiday trips to the northern reefs and coral sea, right? Much, much better than the boats that hang out on the reefs nearer to Cairns - I've done both.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Although the Cod Hole / Ribbon Reef trips suggested above are definately the best, they are more expensive as they travel long distances and run over 3-5 days.
Good trips can still be found from Cairns to the Outer Reefs.

Suggest Scbapro or OceanQest as the top 2.There are cheaper arond but quality is fair to middeling You really do get what yo pay for here.

Check out here for some ideas anyway

Cairns Discount Diving Trips - Overnight Dive Boats

 

[Sandpipa]

Many thanks, all, for your advice!

 

[mibz]

if your after non live aboards dont dive from cairns dive from port douglas and say your a local and then ask if they can pick up near (and name a corner near the back packers)

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Makes no difference whether you say your lcoal or not with regards to pick ups. Most operators offer free pick up within the city area anyway. So why wait on a street corner?
Port Douglas is OK, but up market and expensive. If you are on a budget Port is not the place to be looking.

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Cairns Discount Dive Trips - Australia Diving - Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

 

[mibz]

port gives between 10-20% off for locals

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

You need proof of being a local