GBR on the Nimrod

[philmayer]

I'm considering a trip next month (a few weeks from now!) to Australia to dive the Great Barrier Reef. The trip is being run by SingleDivers.com. I've been on a trip with her before, so I know she runs a good operation.

But I don't know anything about the liveaboard, the Nimrod. Has anybody been on this boat? The itinerary is for 6 diving days, 8 total. They're scheduled to go to both Ribbon and Osprey reefs, both of which I've read about in the dive mags. How crowded will this boat be with 14-18 people? For the folks who've dived on the Nimrod, did you like the boat, the diving, the crew?

Also, what would be good to do with a few extra days? How difficult is it to get to the Townsville area and dive the Yongala? Has anyone stayed in Cairns itself and maybe explored on daytrips?

It's a very long way to go and it's a lot of money, but the more I think about the GBR, the more I think it would be a blast. Certainly it's a rare opportunity. I just don't want to get there and be miserable for a week because the boat sucks.

[georoc01]

Phil,

I asked the same question a few months ago prior to booking the trip myself.

Great Barrier Reef

[philmayer]

Yeah, I saw your post. I was hoping to get more feedback since it had been a while and your question was kinda buried.

[jastark]

Originally Posted by philmayer

I'm considering a trip next month (a few weeks from now!) to Australia to dive the Great Barrier Reef. The trip is being run by SingleDivers.com. I've been on a trip with her before, so I know she runs a good operation.

But I don't know anything about the liveaboard, the Nimrod. Has anybody been on this boat? The itinerary is for 6 diving days, 8 total. They're scheduled to go to both Ribbon and Osprey reefs, both of which I've read about in the dive mags. How crowded will this boat be with 14-18 people? For the folks who've dived on the Nimrod, did you like the boat, the diving, the crew?

Also, what would be good to do with a few extra days? How difficult is it to get to the Townsville area and dive the Yongala? Has anyone stayed in Cairns itself and maybe explored on daytrips?

It's a very long way to go and it's a lot of money, but the more I think about the GBR, the more I think it would be a blast. Certainly it's a rare opportunity. I just don't want to get there and be miserable for a week because the boat sucks.

I'm going on that trip at the end of the month to!!! I was also wondering the same things you were

[Illini_Fan]

I can't speak to the Nimrod as I did the Taka boat when I was there. I was in Cains for roughly 36 hours before we departed and then 2 days after we returned. We did river rafting on the Tully river (mostly class 3). We also did a half-day of ATV riding, but weren't able to schedule the kayaking. Up and down the Esplanade there are lots of offices that will book half-day and day trips for you.

[philmayer]

Anybody else?

[Aussie]

Originally Posted by philmayer

Anybody else?

I used to live in Cairns and have my sister and her family living up there.

I have been out on Nimrod about 4 years ago. She is a large Cat and is one of the older boats (23 years old) that do the Cod Hole/Coral Sea run.

As I was on there 4 years ago I have forgotten much of the detail of the boat and the crew as I have been on a fare few liveaboards since. I remember that she is a big cat and she as a large dive deck which would accomodate the 14-18 comfortably. The crew were friendly from memory and the food was the typical buffet style you get on most liveaboards.
I believe they work their trip around leaving Cairns and head through the ribbon reefs towards the "Cod Hole" off Lizard Island and then they go back to Cooktown. A plane flys in from Cairns with the next lot of divers and those who get off fly low level back to Cairns along the coast. I remember how beautiful the flight home was.

I also dived in winter and that time of year you get Minke Whales that come up to the boat. When the boat moors up they come around and check the boat out. Sometimes they swim around the boat for hours. It is an awesome experience as you can jump in with them on snorkel and take photos. They get very close and they are a large friendly animal. I could of spent hours just with them. Its their downfall that they like boats as they are hunted by the Japanese whale boats also in the southern oceans.

It depends what time of year you travel to the GBR/Coral Sea and Far North Queensland. Summer time (Nov-Feb) it is very humid and tropical weather. Water is warm (28c) and the water is clear around the ribbon reefs and the visability out at Osprey reef (Coral Sea) is gin clear (50m). Osprey is my favourite as its wild and very uncrowded. The reef is a sea mount that rises from 3,000feet to the surface. Its also in the middle of nowhere. It depends of the time of year also but they do get Hammerheads out there at certain times and I have also been told Killer whales have been seen too. Reef sharks are common and there is a big range of sizes and types. Its such a remote place you dont see anything like other boats, planes, anything while your out there.

I personally have been on the Spirit of Freedom ( Spirit of Freedom - live aboard scuba diving vessel. Diving the CoralSea, diving the Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs on the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia.) which is another boat that does basically the same trip as the Nimrod but a little bit differently. They have Lizard Island as their turn around point which people fly in and out of. Lizard Island is alot closer to the good diving of the Cod Hole which means you get more dives in.
The SOF is a beautiful boat and has excellent service and the food is of higher standard than the Nimrod. I have been looked after by the crew on 4 trips now and I am going back in April 2008 for a week. The money for the trip is about the same too.

Cairns itself has a wide range of accomodation types from the 5 star major chains down to backpacker hostels. Actually the Backpacker industry in Cairns is huge and some of the hostels are very well laidout and look like upmarket apartments.
The feel of the city of Cairns is very similar to a big country town. It is the major gateway into Australia from overseas and the biggest regional centre for the Far North. There are many things to do in and around Cairns.

I will post more info later as I have to finish at work.

Cheers Aussie

[Aussie]

Things to do in and around Cairns:

You can visit the village of Kuranda which is located on the tableland above Cairns itself. The best way to visit Kuranda is to go with the Kurnada Scenic rail service (Kuranda Scenic Railway - Home Page) and return via the Skyrail (Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Cairns to Kuranda Rainforest Tour - Queensland Tourism). The markets in kuranda are something worth while to have a look at.

Visit the Daintree and Cape Tribulation National parks (Daintree Cape Tribulation Tourism Association - Cape Trib & Daintree National Park). These are world heritage national parks and very beautiful deserted beaches and rainforest.

Game Fishing is very popular off Cairns and some world record Black Marlin have been caught off Cairns. Game fishing is very expensive but there is the option for reef fishing and I try and get some reef fishing in each time I visit. Coral trout is one of the best eating fish around. Cairns Fishing Charter Guide For Reef Fishing - Queensland - Great Barrier Reef

White water rafting is very popular and the company that does it offers two locations. The tully river which is 2-3 hours south of Cairns and the Barron river which is in Cairns outer suburbs. The Tully is the best as it has the best water (feed from a hydro-electric dam) and you travel down through great rainforest also. Its worth the extra travel time. White Water Rafting Trips Cairns - Raging Thunder

You can also visit Green and Fitzroy islands which are off Cairns. They are good for day trip and snorkeling. Not suited for diving but good if you have non diving family/friends. Green Island and Great Barrier Reef Cruises & Tours with Great Adventures Cairns

I hope this helps in anyway.

If you have any more questions just pm me.

Aussie

[philmayer]

Thanks Aussie.

I was thinking about Kurunda and Cape Trib, thanks for all the info.

[jastark]

Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to do the Daintree and Eco tour as well as visit Kurunda.