Liveaboard - change itinerary for ribbon reef?

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Answered this question on the other thread you posted on, but if you want to do the Ribbon Reef area then you would have to change your itinerary. Highly unlikely to get on via a wait list. If you want to do the GBR then consider the Outer Reef areas as these trips run every day. Not out of Port Douglas though only Cairns an hours drive south.

 

[WetPup]

Have you been to Raja Ampat or Komodo, Frank? Raja Ampat is just on the west end of Papua. I sure like to check PNG in one of these days.

Milne Bay, PNG
Tufi, PNG
Raja Ampat, Papua

I personally prefer PNG, but to each their own

 

[Dan]

Milne Bay, PNG
Tufi, PNG
Raja Ampat, Papua

I personally prefer PNG, but to each their own

I'm jealous

 

[Darnold9999]

I agree with Wookie, the diving on the GBR is not spectacular and there is way better diving in that area of the world. However, if you are new to diving then diving the GBR while you are there is something I would definitely do. Save the really spectacular places like Komodo, Raj Ampat and PNG for another trip.

With respect to the outer reefs on a liveaboard vs day trips from Port Douglas, no question the liveaboard option is far better. Did both and the difference was significant. The day trips are a long boat ride out to the reef packed in with 30 other divers snorkelers (mostly snorkelers) followed by a dive. Then you wait on the boat for an hour and then do a second dive, and then a long boat ride back to port. The diving is just OK, but if that is your only option and as beginners it will be a great experience. A liveaboard will take you much further out on the reef where there is much more to see and you will be able to do 4 dives a day rather than 2 and skip the long boat ride out every day.

 

[Shasta_man]

2 other things to consider: have you been out on a boat like that? It isn't the North Atlantic but just riding the boat and seasickness issues plus trying to dive as a new diver in unfamiliar location under pressure to do it is not necessarily trivial. Not recommending against going, but realize that it is more than staying in the harbor so be prepared, but not worried. Other thing is if you go straight to PNG diving after certification, most other diving will be downhill.