Yongala in April

[nadwidny]

I will be in Townsville April 17 to 22 (Thurs to Tues). I would like to get back out to the Yongala, preferably a day trip but I would consider a weekend Live aboard. It's been over 15 years since I've been in the area. Who is still around that does these dives? I found one operator out of Ayr that does day trips. The Mike Ball information is very dated and I'm not sure if that op is around anymore. The shop I worked for out of Townsville back in 1997 has long since closed.

 

[hotsong]

I will be in Townsville April 17 to 22 (Thurs to Tues). I would like to get back out to the Yongala, preferably a day trip but I would consider a weekend Live aboard. It's been over 15 years since I've been in the area. Who is still around that does these dives? I found one operator out of Ayr that does day trips. The Mike Ball information is very dated and I'm not sure if that op is around anymore. The shop I worked for out of Townsville back in 1997 has long since closed.

As far I know based on what I looked at last year, these are the options:

- Yongala Dive at Alva Beach, just near Ayr. Went with them Sept last year, really good operation, well run. Was about a 40 min. run out to the wreck. There's no jetty, they launch the boat from the beach with a tractor tow (you load up all you gear onto the boat back at the shop about a 10 minute drive away). Recommended.

- Adrenalin runs out of Townsville. Not sure what they are like - but it's definietly a much longer run out and back.

Doing daytrips as opposed to a liveaboard, I'd book at least a couple of days.. Two dives isn't enough, and conditions can be pretty variable - cancellations seemed not uncommon for that reason (one of my dive days was cancelled).

Adrenalin does have weekend liveaboard trips to Yongala on their website, Try this:

Overnight trips to the Great Barrier Reef | Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive | Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive

Dive Australia’s best dive site, the SS Yongala wreck. Option for Yongala-only liveaboard (overnight) trip, or visit Yongala plus more reefs.

www.adrenalindive.com.au

Mike Ball definitely still operates and has an up to date website, so not sure what you are looking at there.

 

[LI-er]

I was in Australia 2 weeks ago. The plan was to fly to Cairns, do 3 days with Spirit of Freedom, then fly from Cairns to Townsville, rent a car and drive to Alva Beach, stay at the onside lodging for Yongala Dive and do the wreck the following day.

The trip was canceled because of the massive flooding, the worst in decades due to heavy monsoons that caused severe damage and road closures between Townsville and Alva Beach.

I don't know the status now but you need to check.

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Most has been covered but Yongala dive put of Alva Beach near Ayr run every day apart from Tuesdays.
Adrenalin run 3 times a week but 3 hours trip to get to the wreck and cancel often.
No regular live aboard trips. Mike Ball and a few others may run occasional special charters once or twice a year.
Book well in advance because only 12 spots on the boat so books up well in advance.
If yr Townsville based do what Ll-er suggested and book a dorm bed or cabin at the van park the night b4 cos it's 07.30 check in and Townsville is a fair drive to Alva Beach.

 

[LI-er]

No regular live aboard trips.

I found this rather odd when I planned this trip but @Aquapro Dive Services is exactly right. In fact there were no liveaboards doing the Yongala last month and you'll be hard pressed to find even one doing it any time soon.

One liveaboard operator told me there just isn't a demand for it.

 

[nadwidny]

- Adrenalin runs out of Townsville. Not sure what they are like - but it's definietly a much longer run out and back.

I went to the website and I was surprised that Paul Crocombe is still doing the diving thing. I would have thought he retired ages ago. He did my NAUI Instructor crossover in Townsville back in 1996.

 

[nadwidny]

I found this rather odd when I planned this trip but @Aquapro Dive Services is exactly right. In fact there were no liveaboards doing the Yongala last month and you'll be hard pressed to find even one doing it any time soon.

One liveaboard operator told me there just isn't a demand for it.

That's quite sad considering what a great dive it is.

 

[Searcaigh]

Go with Yongala Dive, it's the best option.

Stay at Yongala Dive or an Air BnB in Ayr.