Australia diving questions

Hi all,

I'm a newly certified diver, about to go on my honeymoon to Australia.
I'm looking to incorporate a live-aboard into our trip. My fiance is
fine with it even though she doesn't dive (she snorkles). Was
wondering if you can recommend comapnies, destionations etc. We can
take it out of anywhere between Cairns and Brisbaine. We'll be there
in mid-September. I think we have time for a 2 night/3 day trip. Any
and all help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Aaron

I would suggest the Reef Encounter out of Cairns. We spent several days out
there in March. Two divers and two non-divers. It is a first class
operation. If you can (it is a honeymoon!) take the helicopter out to the
boat and back. The food and rooms are excellent. The crew is great!

John

<aaron@sidehatch.net> wrote in message
news:1153371738.109546.114980@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm a newly certified diver, about to go on my honeymoon to Australia.
> I'm looking to incorporate a live-aboard into our trip. My fiance is
> fine with it even though she doesn't dive (she snorkles). Was
> wondering if you can recommend comapnies, destionations etc. We can
> take it out of anywhere between Cairns and Brisbaine. We'll be there
> in mid-September. I think we have time for a 2 night/3 day trip. Any
> and all help would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Aaron
>

A lifetime dive is the Yongala--a horrid boatride from Townsville (slam,
slam, slam, puke (if you're a sickie...), slam...repeat), but I heard they
have hour boat rides from Alva Beach (S of Townsville a ways, near Ayr?)
I'd get a hotel near there and dive the Yongala 3 straight days. Huge,
historic wreck, huge fish and just plain one of the best dives in Oz. Great
folks down there, as well, VB is the beer to drink, Aussies don't drink that
Foster's crap. It's wintertime down there, so expect rougher sea
conditions.
Repeat, don't miss out on the Yongala, trust me (no snorkeling, but might be
on the beach down there while you are out diving).
Did I mention not to miss out on the Yongala?
--
Rapid Rick
"Just Dive, Baby"

<aaron@sidehatch.net> wrote in message
news:1153371738.109546.114980@i42g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm a newly certified diver, about to go on my honeymoon to Australia.
> I'm looking to incorporate a live-aboard into our trip. My fiance is
> fine with it even though she doesn't dive (she snorkles). Was
> wondering if you can recommend comapnies, destionations etc. We can
> take it out of anywhere between Cairns and Brisbaine. We'll be there
> in mid-September. I think we have time for a 2 night/3 day trip. Any
> and all help would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Aaron
>

"Okidiver" <okidiver@cox.net> wrote in message
news:o6Zvg.333225$5Z.105183@dukeread02...
>A lifetime dive is the Yongala--a horrid boatride from Townsville (slam,
>slam, slam, puke (if you're a sickie...), slam...repeat), but I heard they
>have hour boat rides from Alva Beach (S of Townsville a ways, near Ayr?)
>I'd get a hotel near there and dive the Yongala 3 straight days. Huge,
>historic wreck, huge fish and just plain one of the best dives in Oz.
>Great folks down there, as well, VB is the beer to drink, Aussies don't
>drink that Foster's crap. It's wintertime down there, so expect rougher
>sea conditions.

As someone who's drunk lots of VB and Fosters, I can tell you that they
taste exactly alike. It's almost kinda funny that all those upside-down
Aussies believe their beloved BV is so much better, but not really.

Have a look at http://www.wannadive.net
Maybe you'll find some good dive sites for your next trip
If you dive others, don't miss to add them to ths open dive sites atlas.
Regards,
Chris

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 23:54:49 -0500, the cup of "Okidiver"
<okidiver@cox.net> overfloweth with the following:

> A lifetime dive is the Yongala--a horrid boatride from Townsville (slam,
> slam, slam, puke (if you're a sickie...), slam...repeat), but I heard they
> have hour boat rides from Alva Beach (S of Townsville a ways, near Ayr?)
> I'd get a hotel near there and dive the Yongala 3 straight days. Huge,
> historic wreck, huge fish and just plain one of the best dives in Oz. Great
> folks down there, as well, VB is the beer to drink, Aussies don't drink that
> Foster's crap. It's wintertime down there, so expect rougher sea
> conditions.
> Repeat, don't miss out on the Yongala, trust me (no snorkeling, but might be
> on the beach down there while you are out diving).
> Did I mention not to miss out on the Yongala?

Very true...don't miss the Yongala. I've been living here in Townsville
for the last year, and the reef here is nice to dive, but it takes a
while to get out there, and it's not so nice at this time of year. As
you say, you can get there from Ayr with a company called Yongala Dive
(www.yongaladive.com.au), and the boat ride is then only 35-40 mins.
I've got a few photos from both the reef areas around here and the
Yongala if interested:
www.snaq.net/PhotoAlbum/Australia/
Yongala photos are ones with green turtle, big ray, groupers, sea
snakes, or just scenic with vast numbers of small fish. Oh, and the
batfish.

Stan