SS Yongala or Alternative?

[bathbiggles1]

I'm looking for some help and recomendations please.

I'm in Sydney on business next month and have a spare weekend to dive. I can leave Sydney on Friday night but need to be back Sunday night. So basically with deco time I have Saturday for a couple of dives somewhere. I'm thinking of the Yongala - i.e flying to Townsville. Any thoughts on this as a good bet or are there some better alternatives taking into account the time limitations.

Any help on good operators (I won't have all my gear with me just the basics and computer) so will need to rent BC and Reg.

Thanks in advance.

 

[almitywife]

the Yongala would be the better dive but for a Brisbane based (Morton Bay) liveaboard also think about the Big Cat Reality http://www.bigcatreality.com/

otherwise, this thread might give you some hints. http://www.diveoz.com.au/discussion_forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11116&SearchTerms=yongala

cheers

 

[Bubble Junky]

The Yongala is, from all accounts, an awesome dive. But I hear it is very weather dependant. I had a couple of mates holed up in Townsville for a week waiting for the weather to break. Give the local dive operators a call and check.

 

[loquat149]

Do the Yongala if your schedule permits, there's probably nothing else around that compares. I'd recommend contacting the ProDive operator in Townsville. I've had good experience with them in Cairns as well. Had a bad experience with another operator in Townsville that was just interested in getting us in and out as quickly as possible. ProDive seemed to have friendlier, more efficient service, and better rental grear as well.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[Valwood1]

I can leave Sydney on Friday night but need to be back Sunday night. So basically with deco time I have Saturday for a couple of dives somewhere. I'm thinking of the Yongala - i.e flying to Townsville. Any thoughts on this as a good bet or are there some better alternatives taking into account the time limitations.

The Yongala is a wonderful dive, but, as was said, is weather-dependent since the site is 10 miles or so offshore, and currents and waves can be considerable.

I believe that you have two dive options: (1) Take the boat out of Townsville, which is a 2-3 hour ride to the site, or (2) take Yongala Dive out of Alva Beach, which is a 30-45 minute ride to Yongala. It's certainly possible to stay in Townsville and drive up in the morning of the dive -- drive is a bit more than an hour from Townsville -- but that probably doesn't save much time.

I used Yongala Dive and was quite pleased. The site really deserves a lot more than two dives -- I made four dives over two days, and felt that I only barely scratched the surface of things to see. The website is, I think, www.yongaladive.com.au.

 

[Valwood1]

I can leave Sydney on Friday night but need to be back Sunday night. So basically with deco time I have Saturday for a couple of dives somewhere. I'm thinking of the Yongala - i.e flying to Townsville. Any thoughts on this as a good bet or are there some better alternatives taking into account the time limitations.

The Yongala is a wonderful dive, but, as was said, is weather-dependent since the site is 10 miles or so offshore, and currents and waves can be considerable.

I believe that you have two dive options: (1) Take the boat out of Townsville, which is a 2-3 hour ride to the site, or (2) take Yongala Dive out of Alva Beach, which is a 30-45 minute ride to Yongala. It's certainly possible to stay in Townsville and drive to Alva Beach on the morning of the dive -- drive is a bit more than an hour from Townsville.

I used Yongala Dive and was quite pleased. The site really deserves a lot more than two dives -- I made four dives over two days, and felt that I only barely scratched the surface of things to see. The website is, I think, www.yongaladive.com.au.

 

[bathbiggles1]

Thanks for all the help so far everyone. All information noted and the message I am getting is there may be some risk in flying up from Sydney only to find the weather wins.

I'll give these guys at Yongala Dive a try and see what they say.

Cheers

 

[rickydazla]

Fish Rock is another classic, less weather dependant and also closer. Bit colder though.

http://www.southwestrocksdive.com.au/

 

[almitywife]

what about this for an idea, what about North Solitary Islands?? not in queensland but still worth the trip

 

[bathbiggles1]

Thanks again all.

Almity...where is this site and how do I get there please?

Cheers