Great Barrier reef liveaboard trip report

[Lynn CA]

We are taking that trip in Jan. and Super excited. Just got mixed air certified to prepare. Sounds like TONS of fun! Did you rent their dive computer and are they reliable and/or any other equipment?
Any fun to be had in Cairns on top of the awesome diving?
Christine

We had all our own stuff, but 4 others (traveling together) on the trip had their luggage lost by the airline including all their dive gear. So they ended up using all Nimrod gear, and they were happy with it. They were also quite grateful that the Nimrod stepped in and without prior notice, rescued their dive vacation.

So far as fun in Cairns, lots of great seafood restaurants etc, but the most fun we had was the reef teach lecture. The guy who does it is a bit over the top in how outrageous he is, but he keeps it entertaining, and we learned lots and lots of really interesting stuff about the reef, and the fish. Tasty free cookies too. Ask your hotel how to find it, it seems to be the most popular thing going in Cairs, over 100 people at the lecture we attended, and they do it every night.

 

[caymaniac]

So far as fun in Cairns, lots of great seafood restaurants etc, but the most fun we had was the reef teach lecture. The guy who does it is a bit over the top in how outrageous he is, but he keeps it entertaining, and we learned lots and lots of really interesting stuff about the reef, and the fish. Tasty free cookies too. Ask your hotel how to find it, it seems to be the most popular thing going in Cairs, over 100 people at the lecture we attended, and they do it every night.

Hi Lynn, we too went to the "reef teach" seminar and enjoyed it....and yes the cookies were good. There is always something to learn about the reef and new things to know were certainly provided.
Plenty of other options when you are in Cairns for a few days. Lots of out door dining, and there are other tours that can be done, such as the "wait-a-while" tour, Sky-rail to Kurunda, 4wheeling tours, river rafting, plane rides over the reef, a half hour away is "Breakfast with the Birds", and as always in a populated tourist start point - plenty of shopping.

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

 

[kelpmermaid]

Reef Teach! I had forgotten about that! If I recall, it's run by a marine biologist, originally from Ireland? If Australia has such a designation as a "living national treasure," he should be nominated.

 

[heyaustin]

Thanks for all of the info. I am so excited about this trip. Any other advice for extraordinary diving or exotic adventures in Cairns?

 

[heyaustin]

Thanks for all of the info. I am so excited about this trip. Any other advice for extraordinary diving or exotic adventures in Cairns?

Do you have your own cameras or is it just as convenient to rent UWcameras there?
c