You mentioned you're already going to be in Airlie for a sailing trip. I assume you mean through the Whitsundays. I did that... fabulous sailing and Whitehaven beach is out of this world, but the diving is mediocre. However if you take a liveaboard out of Airlie they will take you to the outer reef. I went with Pro Dive/Oceania Dive (they seems to have amalgamated). It was awhile ago - in 2004, but I had a fantastic time. The boat may not be as luxurious as Mike Ball perhaps, but it was certainly comfortable, with a spacious dive deck. The staff was great, we were fed well, and had some fabulous dives. We motored all night to get to the first site, then moved around a little to various reefs. We didn't see another boat the whole time we were out there. As I mentioned, it was awhile ago, so there may be other operators doing similar trips out of Airlie. Just make sure they take you further out.
Just another option if you don't want to go up to Cairns, (or further North), for a liveaboard trip. The day trips out of Cairns really aren't worthwhile, IMO. It was disappointing after my diving off the liveaboard.
http://www.prodivewhitsundays.com.au/index.htm
Just another option if you don't want to go up to Cairns, (or further North), for a liveaboard trip. The day trips out of Cairns really aren't worthwhile, IMO. It was disappointing after my diving off the liveaboard.
http://www.prodivewhitsundays.com.au/index.htm
