fbeifeld

Anyone know anything about a company called Compass Cruises. I found it on a site called http://www.divethereef.com/DiveTrips/-1289919120.asp

I cannot find anyone who has used them so that makes me nervous. They have a 2 day 1 night live aboard cruise. I am familiar with Mike Ball and Pro Dive liveaboards but they are at least 3 days.

thanks for your help.

pat_woolford

The boat used for the liveaboard would be Reef Encounter, Compass is a budget day trip to reef and is used as "feeder vessel" to transport passengers to Reef Encounter, which mostly stays out on reef. Mike Ball and ProDive liveaboards are longer because they go further afield than

pat_woolford

whoops, hit "post" button too smartly.

Mike Ball and ProDive liveaboards are longer because they go further afield than Reef Encounter which visits Norman Reef, (70kms off Cairns on reef's outer edge), Saxon Reef, Hastings Reef, Breaking Patches and Michaelmas Cay.

fbeifeld

Pat,
Can you tell me if you have ever used them or if they are a safe company to deal with? Thanks.

pat_woolford

fbeifeld - I don't have time for liveaboards, more's the pity, but have had good reports about Reef Encounter. The Compass feeder vessel is not what could be described as the most modern and swift boat, but all reef boats have to comply with stringent safety regulations.

myaustralia

If you want to visit the reef, a great place to start from is Port Douglas. Lots of great boats and some of the best dive sites. Only 1 liveaboard from Port Douglas and that goes for longer periods. I would recommend two Daytrips on two different boats. Every boat goes to 2-3 different sites a day. A great boat to do liveaboard is the Undersea Explorer. But it is very, very popular, so book far ahead