Two-three day diving in late June - first time in Oz

[charlier]

Hi all, I have a business trip during the last week of June in Brisbane. I could arrive two to three days earlier - where might I go? I can catch a flight if necessary from Brisbane. I am an experienced diver and will bring my own equipment.

FYI, I live in Singapore. What I like in Indonesia/PNG are dive sites without to many bubbles, healthy corals, schooling fish, and/or pelagics. I know, highs hopes. Thanks!

 

[Mike.D]

Depends what type of diving your looking for. From Brisbane, Byron bay is a great diving location and not too far (2 hours ish drive south). Great shark dives, mix of beginner and intermediate dives and usually very good vis. Gold coast diving is also very good with the best diving at cook island. It also has the added attraction of shore dive spots such as the tweed river and gold coast seaway. The Brisbane area also has spots all over Moreton bay, flinders reef, curtin and stradbroke islands which are very accessible and all dive shops in Brisbane frequent these spots daily. To the north theres ex-HMAS Brisbane, a great wreck dive only an hour and a half drive north at Moloolaba. Theres a current thread at the moment discussing the best spots to dive in Australia. Have a look in the regional forum section for more info. Hope this helps. If your looking for someone to accompany you on your dives feel free to PM me I'm always keen to dive. Cheers
-Mike

 

[charlier]

After looking for nearby Brisbane dive sites, I thought that I might try two days at Bryon Bay. If I decide to go here, is it worth three dives/day? I have time for a full day of diving on saturday and perhaps one or two dives on Sunday, before I return to Brisbane on Sunday. Later in the week, I might be able to dive one additional day in Brisbane. Do you think that late June too late to visit visit the Windarra Banks? Suggestions for dive operator and accommodations are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Mike.D]

Byron bay is the perfect place to have multiple dives at. Lots of variety all over julian rocks (the dive site at byron) and you may not be able to do all the spots in one day depending on conditions and operator. Id throughly recommend sun dive. Ive dived with them before and they are very well set out, clear instructions and briefs, great boat and always have a dm to dive with if needed. Conditions during the time you are going will be perfect! Should have grey nurses around as well as leopard sharks and manta rays.

---------- Post added May 14th, 2013 at 08:52 PM ----------

As for windarra banks, ive never had the opportunity to dive there due to conditions, but I've heard it is a spectacular dive. Cooly dive and blue bay divers from the gold coast can organise trips out there.
Byron bay is a very popular tourist and backpacker destination so accommodation should be no problem. Use your friend google. Ive never stayed there as I live in Brisbane so diving at Byron is a simple day trip for me.
If you decide to have a dive from brisbane id call up a local dive op (godive, snorkelsafari) and just have a chat to see what dives they have planned. Go dive do day trips on thurs and fris for $100 if you have your own gear and thats a double dive usually at flat rock.
Good luck and i hope you enjoy your time diving down here! Feel free to PM me for more info if you need to.
-Mike

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

I know its a fair wy from Brisbane but if you can get a cheap domestic flight to Cairns late June is during the Minke Whale migration season. Get to dive with the Minke whales on Mike Ball or Spirit of Freedom. Amazing expereince.

 

[charlier]

Hi all - reporting back after two lovely days in Byron Bay. After a windy and rainy drive to Brisbane, my first day in Bryon Bay was cool weather and sunshine all the way. Sundive provided tanks, weights and a ride to Julian Rocks. A nice swell was even breaking near Julian Rocks! Viz was fine, about 6 m or so. Lots of good size nurse sharks, barracuda's, turtles (one really large turtle), large and healthy jewfish, schooling fish, etc. Both dives were really enjoyable. Same on day 2, one morning dive on Sunday with an afternoon departure to Brisbane. Sundive provided excellent service. Plus, Byron Bay was beautiful! My thanks to everyone's suggestions.