SB members - I am traveling to Melbourne AUS for business and have managed to book a side trip for 5 days to Cairns. I would greatly appreciate recommendations for an exceptional dive operator. I am an avid diving (diving 2 or 3 weekends a month, as I live in Florida). I am hoping to find an operator for a bit more Advanced divers (less vacation / tourist or newbie divers) if possible. I'd prefer one that offers Nitrox and let's you "dive your dive" as we say. Thanks for any suggestions you may have. I'll be in Australia in June 2014, departing this week).
Great Barrier Reef - Recommended Dive Operators
- Thread starter PINKCREW
- Start date
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I agree with Andrew above. Mike Ball or Spirit of Freedom are arguably the best as not only do they provide exceptional service but visit the best sites. Taka is a budget option as it goes to the same sites but motors up and back, whilst the other 2 fly you one way.
Problem you may have is that t peak season and also the Minke Whale migration, so these trips book out months in advance. You get to swim with the Minkes.
If you cannot make these look at Ocean Quest or Scubapro from Cairns to the Outer Reef areas.
Problem you may have is that t peak season and also the Minke Whale migration, so these trips book out months in advance. You get to swim with the Minkes.
If you cannot make these look at Ocean Quest or Scubapro from Cairns to the Outer Reef areas.
I just did a liveaboard with Spirit of Freedom and had a very good time.
I think the day trip situation is very limited. I am told that there are good day trips for more advanced divers, but if there are, they are doing a very good job of keeping it a secret. The other day trips with Quicksilver and Poseidon are huge boats with seemingly a cast of thousands, many of whom are beginners.
I think the day trip situation is very limited. I am told that there are good day trips for more advanced divers, but if there are, they are doing a very good job of keeping it a secret. The other day trips with Quicksilver and Poseidon are huge boats with seemingly a cast of thousands, many of whom are beginners.
Another vote for the 'Spirit of Freedom'. We just gpt back from a 7 day trip and it was awesome. We booked with Kevin from Aquapro (see post #3 above) and got a good deal. You are free to dive the reef unescorted (with your buddy) and bottom times are never limited (within your NDC limits). The food is fab too 
Farron
Registered
For day trips I'd go on Silverswift with Quicksilver. Although you will have to follow a guide. You visit 3 sites in the same day. Depths and bottom times are limited however.
flying from Canada to CAirns in Sept, more or less settled on the vessel Taka 3n/5d, based on location of dives as well as cost, the overnight trip aboard rather than te flight suits us fine as we will be jetlagged anyway, and we are used to offshore vessels (work) . It is the operators/travel company that is confusing, seem to be a few handling their bookings, w slightly diff prices, so we dont actually book directly with Taka, similar to booking hotels & flights I guess.
The best offer has been w Aqua Pro Dive Travel and have been corresponding for details. However, while attempting to book on their site, it described the trip as 4d not 5d as advertised.
I also saw a very poor review on tripAdvisor for a similar name "Pro Dive", regarding booking difficulties and not having their reserved space/room available at all - are these the same company? Is AquaPro Dive reputable, it has no reviews, is it new?
I would like to finish booking soon, please advice. THanks.
The best offer has been w Aqua Pro Dive Travel and have been corresponding for details. However, while attempting to book on their site, it described the trip as 4d not 5d as advertised.
I also saw a very poor review on tripAdvisor for a similar name "Pro Dive", regarding booking difficulties and not having their reserved space/room available at all - are these the same company? Is AquaPro Dive reputable, it has no reviews, is it new?
I would like to finish booking soon, please advice. THanks.
MA
Contributor
Aqua pro is very active on Scubaboard and has posted in this thread. By all accounts I've heard on here he is reputable and provides a great service. I can certainly his posts on Scubaboard are honest and fair.
Thanks MA , and MIB Bear (and others) for the record its a Thursday afternoon departure (3:30) and Monday morning return (9 am). Some write it as 4 day others 5, but looking at the timings you leave and return I call it 4 days. Either way the itinerary is clearly listed and is not different from anyone else as its the same trip.
BTW we are nothing to do with Pro Dive which is a franchise and has many shops in different locations.
, and MIB Bear (and others) for the record its a Thursday afternoon departure (3:30) and Monday morning return (9 am). Some write it as 4 day others 5, but looking at the timings you leave and return I call it 4 days. Either way the itinerary is clearly listed and is not different from anyone else as its the same trip.BTW we are nothing to do with Pro Dive which is a franchise and has many shops in different locations.
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