Australia/New Zealand

Hi Everyone,

Seems that I'm inept when trying to use the search button for information on previous posts, so I thought I would ask you all.

My family is planning a possible trip to Australia and New Zealand next Sept/Oct.

Australia: We'd like to avoid the cattleboats and are going to try to dive as north like the coral sea if its works out while in Australia. Not having been there before, the only word of mouth operation I am familiar with is Mike Ball's. We open to ideas and would like to research more.

Could anyone please recommend liveaboard operators they have used, and those who they would discourage, and why? Anything not to miss or avoid?

New Zealand: I've heard of no liveaboards there, so I'm clueless for that area, and don't actually know if its a good time of year to dive New Zealand? Any recommendations, land-based or otherwise would be greatly appreciated.

Our trip does consist of land-based activities, diving with be a part of the overall picture. Australia's pretty small, we figure we can cover everything in about a week. Ha! Yeah right.

Seriously though, thank you for any direction, suggestions, research areas, personal experience and help you can provide. We very much appreciate everything!

Hey Paquito

I've just been on a 4-night trip on the TAKA out of Cairns. The trip allowed for 14 dives: 10 on the Great Barrier Reef and 4 on Osprey Reef - which is about 100 miles east of the GBR.

Taka was a pretty good boat with a good, friendly crew.

Have a look at my trip report (Round the World Dive Trip) for more info. I found TAKA through a websearch.

i did 2 back to back trips with the Undersea Explorer and was really pleased with it.

one particular point i really liked about it, is that there are marine biologists on board doing research but also sharing their knowledge with all aboard. i think that adds tremendously to what you get out of the trip.

note though that though very comfortable, the undersera is not as luxurious as the mike ball boats,.

if you are lucky the trip you will be on will have erwann as a chef. if that's the case you will never want to eat on another liveaboard in your life. the guy is an amazing cook

there are some photos of the boat and my trips on my website if you want to see what's out there....

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the tips and insight, its really appreciated! Your website and trip reports were great, exactly my cup of tea for trips.

I've started my homework and the TAKA and Undersea Hunter have some promise. Any additional recommendations would be great.

Thanks again for the help.

Did I say Hunter? I must have had a relapse back to Coco's. Ha! I meant Explorer. Sorry.

I went on Taka last year and although the boat is of a reasonable quality and the cabins are nice it carries way too many divers. 30 guests plus crew in the water at the same time leads to crowded dive sites.

There is one pinnacle dive which would be a great dive site that is on the agenda - takes around 2-5 mins to swim round which was incredibly busy and spoilt the whole dive.

I would recommend something with a few less people.

check out www.explorerventures.com they have a boat called Nimrod based out of Carins. I think Jim Merrell and Sue Bertrum still manage the operation in Oz.

Steve