Hi Pam
The comment i would make is that the discounts available locally are significant - depending on the rate per day for your timeshare it may still be cheaper to pay for a day or so extra there and get a discounted trip. With regards to the boats, definitely try and do the Coral Sea and Northern Reefs - there are several boats that go there - Taka, Spirit of Freedom, Diversity, Mike Ball are names that spring to mind, but there are others, and most of them generally go to pretty much the same sites. The differences are in comfort - it is a long way north to the reefs, and some include low level flights one way so you have less time just steaming on the boat. Also the boats are quite different - taka for example, while new and well maintained, is a pretty basic boat. If you want guaranteed confort and en suites etc, you are better off booking ahead and with one of the more expensive boats. In terms of safety and so on, I find standards are extremely high across the board.
The Pro dive one, while a decent boat and good value for money, is better than day boats if you are time limited, but the reefs further out are much better.
