Anyone done the Whitsundays?

[BigHairyAl]

Off on a bit of a jaunt to Australia in February, hoping to do the Great Barrier etc.

Apart from that, has anyone done a liveaboard around the Whitsundays? I can see a load of boat trips advertised, but most are tourist thingies - having trouble finding a proper dive boat!

???

[Keith Whittaker]

Try Oceana Diving out of Airlie Beach, I had a great 3 day liveaboard with them. They have probably got a link somewhere.

have a great trip.

Keith

[triplefin]

Hiya
Didnt do a liveaboard round the Whitsundays as I had just done one out of Cairns out to the Coral Sea (dont bother too much with the GBR - over dived and damaged quite a lot ) get further out into the Coral Sea.

Lots of sailing/diving boats round the Whitsundays best to ask around when you get there (if no one on here has done a liveaboard there) or use Dive Oz site for any body who can recommend a liveaboard. I did just do a day boat. Wanted to have a go on a sailing boat but also wanted to dive (cant go on a boat without diving!). There is only one yacht out of Arlie that does this and had a great day out on Ragamuffin - ex racing yacht. Although only one dive was scheduled after someone asked we got in two. While all the snorkellers were having lunch we got in 2 dives which was great.
However have decided that sailing is not for me, I do prefer a boat with walls! Was terrified and spent most of the trip back just hanging on as we careered across the water at a horrifying angle.
Dont forget the Yongala along the coast inbetween Cairns and Arlie.

[malcolm smith]

Not a liveaboard, but we did a nice day trip with Manta Ray charters out of Airlie beach.

Strictly tourist stuff, but nothing wrong with that if you're a tourist :-)
Day is split between a few hours on Whitehaven Beach-----just the most stunning viewpoint you could imagine in any tropical paradise dreams you may have----and then we crossed over to Hook Island in Manta Ray Bay, no, we didn't see one, but it was a lovely relaxed dive in decent vis, over very nice corals and the usual riot of colourful fish.

Two dives could be done, one was fine for us, with a lovely snorkel too.

It was really a very nice day.

Yongala out of Townsville or Ayr, well, that's rightly a top 10 world dive you can't miss.

Enjoy, Malcolm.

[blondie]

I learnt with Pro-Dive out of Airlie Beach and we finished our OW with a three day liveaboard around the whitsundays .... we were meant to get to the GBR but it was too choppy to stay out there. Don't rightly remember much as i had major panic attacks whilst learning and was concentrating more on my learning or showing i'd learnt something ...

I do remember the little islands were fantastic to see above water though

[Larry Hadley]

Several good outfits around Airlie. I've got to agree with everything said before on this thread. You simply must not miss the oportunity to dive the Yongala site. We went with Adrenalin Dive out of Townsville, who will also pick you up from Magnetic Island which is a better place to stay, for what has got to be one of my most memorable day trips. Can be blown out, but Adrenalin will give you a refund or arrange a second trip!
Have a good trip
Larry

[Pro Dive Europe]

Hi BigHairyAl

As someone has suggested, we operate a couple of boats out of Whitsundays.

The Diving there is pretty good (understatement) you have the choice of several operators out there. We can provide lots of info regarding schedules etc and you can book online with us prior to going to Oz. We are the only operator who can provide a full service in Australia (cover the whole Continent)



Thought you might like a picci of what you are letting yourself in for!

As I said there are other operators in that area, but if you want an idea of times/schedules and price you can look at our website or email me for more.

regards

Ian