Hi Everyone,
Just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on where might be a good place for me to dive around the great barrier reef. I've read through some of the old branches on here and there seem to be so many options - I'm not sure what would be best for my ability and interest.
I've only got 16 dives (Gorgona, Colombia & Dahab, but I've done a few deep ones and I'm half way through my advanced cirt (which if possible I'd like to complete). I fly into cains this coming Monday and then back out on Friday (I don't drive). I was hoping to do a live aboard trip for about two or three nights. Having read the other posts on here I was very interested in Yongala - but wonder if that would be too advanced for me? I was also tempted by the osprey reef - but the post said this was a 4 day cruise - and I'm not sure I would be able to fit this in.
Many thanks in advance
Kate
Hi Kate, I actually did my advanced at Osprey Reef a few years ago, and since I live in Cairns, I've been back there quite a few time. Unfortunately during your stay in Cairns, you can't get there, because the live-aboard boats for Osprey leave either Thursday, Friday or Saturday and don't get back until the following week. There is a boat , TAKA, which leaves on Tuesday afternoon around 5pm for the Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs, and gets back on Friday afternoon around 3pm. Your other option would be to stay closer to Cairns, and stay for 2 or 3 nights on a boat called Ocean Quest, but the diving can't be compared to Osprey, the Cod Hole or the Ribbon Reefs. If you need more info, send me a pm.
sorry, I forgot to mention the Yongala. You actually dive the Yongala out of Townsville, which is approx. 350 km south of Cairns. Just be aware that the place where the Yongala sank is very exposed, and subject to extremely strong currents. Operators usually require that you have an advanced cert, and a bit of experience in a variety of situations. I dived there and it's pretty cool, but nothing for the faint-hearted :-))
Hi Kate,
Yongala is definitly worth a visit. You can do a day trip or a 3 day backpacker liveaboard out of Townsville. I did a liveaboard, there were offering dive courses on the boat, and you still do 2 dives on Yongala on the last day. The rest off the divinng was so, so. I was lucky the weather was good.
Boris
Kate
I dived the Yongala in early Jan 2006, when i was an open water diver with roughly the same number of dives as you.
It wasn't too 'advanced' dive wise for me, the currents are strong but we descended down a line. I can't remember which operator i went with but my 'buddy', who was a DM working for the dive company, had descended before i even got in the water for my second dive. I also got kicked in the head by an over enthusiastic diver. It all made for a fun day trip from Townsville!
However the Yongala was a bit of a disappointment, as i couldn't actually see that much of the wreck - there were millions of little bait fish living in it. So check what conditions will be like in September.
pb
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