Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Boat trips vary dramatically in passenger numbers, type of vessel and quality - which is
reflected in the price - so it's worth getting all the details before committing. When select-
ing a tour, consider the vessel (motorised catamaran or sailing ship), the number of pas-
sengers (from six to 400), what extras are offered and the destination. The outer reefs are
usually more pristine. Inner reefs often show signs of damage from humans, coral bleach-
ing and coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish. Some operators offer the option of a trip in
a glass-bottomed boat or semi-submersible.
Many boats have underwater cameras for hire - although you'll save money by hiring
these on land (or using your own waterproof camera or underwater housing). Some boats
also have professional photographers on board who will dive with you and take high-qual-
ity shots of you in action.
Live-Aboards
If you're eager to do as much diving as possible, a live-aboard is a good option as you'll
do three dives per day, plus some night dives, all in more remote parts of the Great Barrier
Reef. Trip lengths vary from one to 12 nights. The three-day/three-night voyages, which
allow up to 11 dives, are among the most common.
Check out the various options as some boats offer specialist itineraries following mar-
ine life, such as minke whales or coral spawning, or offer trips to remote spots like the far
northern reefs, Pompey Complex, Coral Sea Reefs or Swain Reefs.
It's recommended to go with operators who are Dive Queensland members: this ensures
they follow a minimum set of guidelines. Ideally, they are also accredited by
Ecotourism Aus-
tralia
(
www.ecotourism.org.au
)
.
Popular departure points for live-aboard dive vessels, along with the locales they visit
are:
Bundaberg
The Bunker Island group, including Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Islands, possibly Fitzroy, Llewellyn
and rarely visited Boult Reefs or Hoskyn and Fairfax Islands.
1770
Bunker Island group.
Gladstone
Swain and Bunker Island groups.
Mackay
Lihou Reef and the Coral Sea.
Airlie Beach
The Whitsundays, Knuckle Reef and Hardy Reef.
Townsville
Yongala
wreck, plus canyons of Wheeler Reef and Keeper Reef.
Cairns
Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, the Coral Sea and the far northern reefs.
