LIVEABOARD / Cairns to Mackay GBR / Nov5-Nov9

[THX1138]

HELLO: I am looking for a 3 to 4 day GBR Liveaboard for the time period above. Will be by myself, but can share cabin (Wife has to fly back). Any help appreciated, including dive operators with spots. Flying in and out of Syndney Nov 4-10, and can fill spot. Thanks John

[caymaniac]

Try going out of Port Douglas, 60 miles north of Cairns or check out Mike Ball and Quicksilver - Pro-Dive. There may be some 3 to 4 day out of Cairns, but the farther north you go - the better diving is found

[blueManta]

I did a liveaboard with MikeBall. They are simply the BEST!!! however i'm not sure they have 4-5 days trips as it takes about 1 day each way to the outer GBR which is still in good shape compared to the rest of the reef.

-Eyal

[acj]

Did a 3 day with Pro Dive a couple years ago...I would NOT recommend them. It was the worst liveaboard I have ever been on. Also, the portion of the GBR they took us to was 75% dead. I hear there are much better areas.

I have heard good things about Mike Ball although I have never dove with them.

[almitywife]

ive never done the GBR but i hear good things about Taka ; Scuba diving and Liveaboard dive trips to Great Barrier Reef (http://www.takadive.com.au)

edit: hmmmm, i dont know why all those words coming up as its www.tanka dive.com.au (one word though)

cheers

[THX1138]

Hello: Thanks all for the advice and suggestions. Your help is appreciated. John

[sharksdelight]

I did the Quicksilver back in the mid 80's. It was the epitome of the worst kind of cattle boat. You couldn't pay me enough to waste my time on that one. Port Douglas was a nice town though. I also did one of the Mike Ball boats on the same trip. While my bunk was horrible, the crew, food and diving was excellent.
Steve

[caymaniac]

I took the boat "Diversity", we booked through Pro-Dive. It was a 5 day, 4 night trip. Went to Osprey, Cod Hole, Ribbons. We saw plenty of sharks, some silver tips as well as hunting white tips after dark, flashlight fish, big Potato Cod (400lbs), soft coral and plenty other tropicals. I have heard tha the boat has been sold and no longer takes liveaboard trips. A liveaboard in this area is the worthwhile thing to do, maybe for you once in a lifetime chance, don't miss it!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/caymaniac/Underwater%20Images/File0363.jpghttp://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/caymaniac/Underwater%20Images/File0366.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/caymaniac/Underwater%20Images/File0383.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/caymaniac/Underwater%20Images/File0348.jpghttp://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/caymaniac/Underwater%20Images/File0340.jpg

[Darnold9999]

Did Fly-dive Cod Hole a couple of years ago. loved it. They fly you up to Lizard Island and you dive on the way back to Cairns.

Before I went did some research and wanted to go Taka but they were fully booked.

This was in November so different season.