Cairns / Cocos / Christmas

Hi all,

I have just confirmed my trip to Australia next April (amazingly my first time there) and I have a few questions. I am all set for Cocos Keeling and Christmas Island, but I will spend a few days in Cairns and I would like to dive the GBR. Any suggestions for a good 3 day liveaboard to the outer reefs? I've been thinking about ProDive at Cairns, has anybody used them recently? Also, what is the water temp at the GBR and Cocos/Christmas in Apr/May?

Thanks!

Luiz

Fly down to Townsville and dive the wreck of the Yongala it is a great dive

Mike

My info is 10 years old

Prodive is ok

try Tusa Dive as well

I am sure someone has more up to date info

Luiz,

Prodive has a 3 day liveaboard departure 6 days a week. They dive the outer parts of the local reefs in particular Flynn & Miln reefs ( this is were their permit says they can dive ). The passenger mix will be mainly student divers completeing openwater and people doing advance courses.

TAKA dive has a departure for the Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs on Tuesdays @ 5PM Back Friday @3PM and Osprey Reef / Coral Sea Fridays @5Pm back at 3PM.

Feel free to PM for local knowledge.

This is the 2007 schedule for the Undersea Explorer.

All prices are is AUD.

DATES: SPACE EXPEDITION: RATE

(AU$ pp twin share, GST incl)

27 Jan – 2 Mar

Maintenance – 5 weeks

MR107 3-9 Mar 5 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

MR207 10-16 Mar 13 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

MR307 17-23 Mar 8 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

24-30 Mar Maintenance - 1 Week

MR407 31 Mar-6 April

*Good Fri 6 April 9 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

AP107 7-13 April

*Easter Sun 8 April 8 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

AP207 14-20 April 13 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

AP307 21-27 April

* Anzac Day – 25 April 12 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

AP407 28 Apr – 4 May 13 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

M107 5-11 May 18 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

12-18 May Maintenance 1 Week

M207 19-25 May 16 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER

* Port Douglas Carnivale – dates tba $1785

M307 26 May–1 June 10 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $1785

JN107 2-8 June 16 MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JN207 9-15 June 16 MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JN307 16-22 June FULL MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JN407 23-29 June FULL MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JN507 30 Jun-6 July FULL MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JL107 7-13 July FULL MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JL207 14-20 July FULL MINKE WHALE EXPEDITION $2600

JL307 21-27 July 6 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

JL407 28 July– 3 Aug 13 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

AU107 4-10 Aug 2 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

AU207 11-17 Aug 19 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

AU307 18-24 Aug 18 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

AU407 25-31 Aug 20 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

1-7 Sept Maintenance 1 Week

S107 8-14 Sept 20 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

S207 15-21 Sept 20 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

S307 22-28 Sept 20 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

S407 29 Sep – 5 Oct 17 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

O107 6-12 Oct FULL OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

O207 13-18 Oct

Sat to Thurs 4 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER

5 DAY EXPEDITION, 2 DAYS OSPREY $2170

19-21 Oct Maintenance – 3 days

O307 22 –31 Oct

*Mon to Wed* 14

9 DAY FAR NORTHERN EXPEDITION

Boat Port Douglas to Lockhart River

One way Flight Lockhart River to Cairns $3900 +

$400 flight

O407 31 Oct-7 Nov

*Wed to Wed* 5 7 DAY FAR NORTHERN EXPEDITION

MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION

Return Flights Cairns to Lockhart River $3000 +

$800 flights

N107 7-14 Nov

*Wed to Wed* 16 7 DAY FAR NORTHERN EXPEDITION

Return Flights Cairns to Lockhart River $3000 +

$800 flights

N207 14-24 Nov

*Wed to Sat* FULL 10 DAY FAR NORTHERN EXPEDITION

Return Flights Cairns to Lockhart River Whole Boat Charter

N307 24 Nov-3 Dec

*Sat to Mon* 15 9 DAY FAR NORTHERN EXPEDITION

One way Flight Cairns to Lockhart River

Boat Lockhart River to Port Douglas $3900 +

$400 flight

3-7 Dec Maintenance 4 days

D107 8-14 Dec 20 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

D207 15-21 Dec 20 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

22-28 Dec Christmas Break – 1 week

D307 29 Dec –4 Jan 17 OSPREY REEF SHARK ENCOUNTER $2600

sorry, I stand corrected, the 3-day Undersea Explorer trips don't start 'til March 2008. apologies.

darren

Thanks everyone! I think I will take the 3 day Prodive expedition, I just wanted to see the GBR. I will also spend a day or two in Townsville, so will try to dive the Yongala there too.

Luiz,

The Ribbon reefs that Taka ( http://www.taka.com.au/index.htm ) do are a lot better than the ones out of Cairns IMHO, however the guys at Pro Dive are great.

The Yongala would have to be the best dive I have done in the two odd years I have been here, so don't miss it if you are in Townsville. If you want a short trip (30 mins) out these are the guys to go with http://www.yongaladive.com.au/ , The trip is longer (3 hrs) with these guys but a little more comfortable ride http://www.adrenalindive.com.au

Regards

Gary

Hi Luiz

You can expect around 28C water temps at Xmas & Cocos in April/May. Your going to see a whole lot more at Christmas Island than you will on the GBR. Just promise not to tell the whole world about our hidden secret.

Luiz,

Let me know your dates and I will come for the trip - our office is right next door.

P

Luiz,

The Ribbon reefs that Taka ( http://www.taka.com.au/index.htm ) do are a lot better than the ones out of Cairns IMHO, however the guys at Pro Dive are great.

 

The Yongala would have to be the best dive I have done in the two odd years I have been here, so don't miss it if you are in Townsville. If you want a short trip (30 mins) out these are the guys to go with http://www.yongaladive.com.au/ , The trip is longer (3 hrs) with these guys but a little more comfortable ride http://www.adrenalindive.com.au

Regards

Gary

Well I'm not sure I'd do the Yongala from Townsville. As said it's a 3 hr ride but the biggest shortcoming is the limited dive time. They have to keep to a schedule you have to be out of the water by 2:15 (this was drilled into us by the crazy skipper) So they rush you to finish lunch and get back into the water with a pretty short interval.

The Yongala can be a deeper dive with lots to see deeper than 20+ m. The last thing you want is to rush around the wreck. I suggest doing a liveaboard which hits the Yongala.

Thanks everyone for all the information! I finally got my dates straight, so here you go:

Cairns/Townsville: 4/15 - 4/22

Cocos/Christmas: 4/23 - 5/7

Perth: 5/7 - 5/10

So, I will have only two full days in Perth, but I will try to go diving at least one day (that is if the water is not below 20C!).

We will be on Rottnest from the 6 May for two weeks with our toys and RIB.

You can hire dive gear from the local shop on the Island.

Will PM you our Mobiles and if it works out, jump on a ferry and come on over and we will go for a dive.