times and prices of diving Great Barrier Reef (or New Zealand)

Hi first time post:

I have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand this Oct./Nov. And am
trying to determine if a side trip to Australia is a good idea or
not.Qantas has some special where I can add a flight from Auckland to
Cairns for about 500 bucks. I think this is where I would want to go
to access the Great Barrier Reef, right?

My questions: Is Spring (mid. Nov.) an appropriate time to dive the
GBR? I assume that live aboard is the way to go, the reef being too
far for day trips. Is this an accurate perception? Are there 3 or 4
day trips? Is this too short? Does anyone have suggestions on
charters, approximate price?

Now the big subjective questions (think I may only be able to answer
for myself). I am also an avid sailor. Would it be better to stay in
NZ or go to Sydney or Melbourne and sail (or surf)? Is there "great"
diving to be had in NZ, or too cold? Is the GBR just to "great" an
experience to pass up the chance (I suspect so)?

The clock is ticking for me on the flight specials, any advice would
be "great"ly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Darren

swamp wrote:
>
> Hi first time post:
>
> I have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand this Oct./Nov. And am
> trying to determine if a side trip to Australia is a good idea or
> not.Qantas has some special where I can add a flight from Auckland to
> Cairns for about 500 bucks. I think this is where I would want to go
> to access the Great Barrier Reef, right?

That's where I did it, last March.

>
> My questions: Is Spring (mid. Nov.) an appropriate time to dive the
> GBR? I assume that live aboard is the way to go, the reef being too
> far for day trips. Is this an accurate perception? Are there 3 or 4
> day trips? Is this too short? Does anyone have suggestions on
> charters, approximate price?

I used Pro-Dive, a very professional, low-cost (i.e. no frills)
operation. They charge 560 AUD for the trip. That includes food, all
gear, air, and transportation to and from your hotel. Three days, two
nights, eleven dives. www.prodive-cairns.com.au.

--

Pete Becker
Dinkumware, Ltd. (http://www.dinkumware.com)

Hi Swamp,
Yep, I think that November is a great time to dive the GBR.
Personally I have used Mike Ball ( super-sport out of Cairns) and find their
cod hole - ribbon reefs trip superb.
Trip report on my web site
HTH
Tim
www.DivingTheBlue.com


"swamp" <swamp.man@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:70403e3d.0407290810.2b46a9a3@posting.google.c om...
> Hi first time post:
>
> I have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand this Oct./Nov. And am
> trying to determine if a side trip to Australia is a good idea or
> not.Qantas has some special where I can add a flight from Auckland to
> Cairns for about 500 bucks. I think this is where I would want to go
> to access the Great Barrier Reef, right?
>
> My questions: Is Spring (mid. Nov.) an appropriate time to dive the
> GBR? I assume that live aboard is the way to go, the reef being too
> far for day trips. Is this an accurate perception? Are there 3 or 4
> day trips? Is this too short? Does anyone have suggestions on
> charters, approximate price?
>
> Now the big subjective questions (think I may only be able to answer
> for myself). I am also an avid sailor. Would it be better to stay in
> NZ or go to Sydney or Melbourne and sail (or surf)? Is there "great"
> diving to be had in NZ, or too cold? Is the GBR just to "great" an
> experience to pass up the chance (I suspect so)?
>
> The clock is ticking for me on the flight specials, any advice would
> be "great"ly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> -Darren

In article <70403e3d.0407290810.2b46a9a3@posting.google.com >,
swamp.man@gmail.com (swamp) wrote:

> My questions: Is Spring (mid. Nov.) an appropriate time to dive the
> GBR? I assume that live aboard is the way to go, the reef being too
> far for day trips. Is this an accurate perception? Are there 3 or 4
> day trips? Is this too short? Does anyone have suggestions on
> charters, approximate price?

Check out www.diversionoz.com

Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
Take out the "goes diving" bit....
Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk