Hi there. I live and work in Cairns as well as runnign a small booking site for divers. I am a dive instructor too and used to work on SOF.
Its a great boat anytime, and there are pros and cons of July as well as now. Sept - Nove are coming into peak season, and seas usually at calmest. December is technically start of wet / cyclone season, and that can run until April. But dont let that put you off. Rare to get cancellations from cyclones etc.
Feb nice and warm and visitors dropping off as it is summer is southern months.
May - June is our autumn if you like but very pleasant.
I agree with teh comment above about June - Sept for the Minke Whales. Highly recommended and a great experoence.
Do the Coral Sea as well as Cod Hole trip as you get teh added bonus of the shark feed.
Check out the link to my site as I can offer discounts on this trip, but by all means feel free to contact me for any unbiased comments or quesstions you want to ask.
It is definately teh best trip and vessel at present.
Mike Ball used to be the leder but I think SOF have the better boat now for sure.
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Discount dive travel to the Barrier Reef and Coral Sea - live aboard and day trips.
Cairns Discount Scuba Diving Trips - Great Barrier Reef