How To Choose A Liveaboard on The Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Summary

In this video, Clint from Cairns Dive Adventures offers expert advice on selecting the perfect liveaboard dive trip in the Great Barrier Reef. He outlines trip options based on diver experience, from beginner to advanced levels, and the types of dives available at different reefs. The video covers various dive sites around Cairns, including Norman, Saxons, Hastings, and further north to the Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef. Whether you're new to diving or a seasoned traveler, Clint provides valuable insights on choosing the best experience tailored to your diving skills and adventure preferences.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cairns, located in far north Queensland, is a key city for accessing the Great Barrier Reef for diving adventures.
• 😀 The ideal liverboard dive trip choice depends on your experience level as a diver and how much time you have.
• 😀 For beginner divers (7-15 dives), the reefs around Norman, Saxons, and Hastings are ideal with options for guided and unguided dives.
• 😀 Intermediate divers (50-100 dives) might enjoy the areas around Flynn, Milne, and Palo reefs, where unguided dives are common, and the boats are designed for more experienced divers.
• 😀 Advanced divers (100+ dives) can explore longer expeditions, including trips to the ribbon reefs, Lizard Island, and Osprey Reef, requiring more technical diving skills.
• 😀 For beginner divers or those with a snorkeler on board, the Norman, Saxons, and Hastings reef systems offer comfortable, guided diving trips with beautiful coral reefs.
• 😀 Experienced divers looking for more challenging dives should consider the outer reefs like Flynn, Milne, and Palo reefs, which are best suited for self-guided exploration.
• 😀 Advanced divers can opt for extended liverboard trips that leave Cairns on Mondays or Thursdays, exploring areas such as Lizard Island and Osprey Reef.
• 😀 The Osprey Reef is known for its dramatic underwater features like the North Horn shark feed, big walls, and vibrant sea fans, but it requires advanced dive certification.
• 😀 The seven-day Far Northern expeditions, available in September and October, offer a unique opportunity to dive along the ribbon reefs up to the tip of Australia, perfect for experienced divers seeking adventure.

Q & A

What are the main factors to consider when choosing a liveaboard dive trip in the Great Barrier Reef?

The two main factors are your diving experience and the amount of time you have. These will help determine which dive trip is best suited for you.

Which city is considered a key starting point for dive trips to the Great Barrier Reef?

The key city to access the Great Barrier Reef is Cairns, located in far north Queensland, Australia.

What types of divers would benefit from a liveaboard trip to the Norman, Saxons, and Hastings Reef areas?

These areas are best suited for beginners to intermediate divers, with trips offering guided diving and comfortable accommodations.

How far are the reefs like Flynn, Milne, and Palo from Cairns?

The reefs are about 65 kilometers out from Cairns, making them a bit farther compared to the Norman, Saxons, and Hastings reefs.

Are there guided dives on all liveaboard dive trips in Cairns?

No, some liveaboards offer unguided diving where divers explore at their own leisure, while others provide guided diving, especially around Norman, Saxons, and Hastings reefs.

What type of diver is the Flynn, Milne, and Palo reef area best suited for?

These areas are better for experienced divers who are comfortable diving unguided and navigating the reefs themselves.

What makes the diving experience at Osprey Reef unique?

Osprey Reef is known for its large pinnacle reef, dramatic walls, drift diving, and a famous shark feed at North Horn. It is located in deeper waters and is a highlight for advanced divers.

How do the seven-day far northern exploratory dive expeditions work?

These expeditions typically depart in September and October, traveling up the coast to explore the Ribbon Reefs, Lizard Island, and potentially Osprey Reef, offering an extensive dive experience for advanced divers.

What type of divers should consider the Ribbon Reef trips from Cairns?

Ribbon Reef trips are ideal for advanced divers, as they involve challenging dives and may include locations like Osprey Reef, which require high-level diving skills and experience.

Can beginners participate in any of the liveaboard dive trips out of Cairns?

Yes, beginners can enjoy trips to Norman, Saxons, and Hastings reefs, as these areas offer more guided diving options and more comfortable accommodations for less experienced divers.