Diving the Great Barrier Reef at Xmas or August?
 

Hi We're planning a trip to Australia with teenagers. We must either go August or Decemeber. We'd have approx 3 weeks. One of our main goals is to go diving and we're thinking of going to Cairns and motorhoming down to Sydney. Any advice as to (1) which time of yr. is best Aug or Dec (2) best places that cater to diving on the GBR, and (3)if motorhome traveling From Cairns to Sydney is advisable. We thought of spending 5-7 days in Cairns area diving then spending 10-12 days driving to Sydney then heading to either New Zealand or Fiji. Any comments or suggestions?

Linda, I'm going to vote for August. <BR><BR>Water may be cooler, but you'll probably have less chance of rain. (of course, this means more tourists!) Also, if you and your teens want to hit the beach, August will be better, as the poisonous jellyfish aren't around the beaches yet. <BR><BR>Speaking of beaches, if diving and beaches are important to you, then I'd say ditch Cairns and go an hour north to Port Douglas. Lots of great dive operators leave from the P.D. Marina. Cairns does not have a beach, just mudflats. P.D. has pretty 4 mile beach to boast about.<BR><BR>Have a groovy time.

Dido for August. Visited Cairns at the end of last August and the temperature was very nice and the water was comfortably warm. During Dec, rain can get pretty heavy and makes it hard to get around.<BR><BR>As you head south, it'll get cooler. Definitely bring something warm for those cool nights.

Hi there, I live and work in Port Douglas. August is a good time of the year for the reef... and at that time of year you may get to see the migrating humpbacks and dwarfe minke whales. Also the visibility then is fantastic. Go to Port Douglas rather than Cairns...there are loads of things to do from here and Port Douglas is closer to the reef and the rainforest and makes for a batter base. december is the build up to the wet season. It is very hot then... 32 degrees celcius and around 90% humidity. The water temp then is around 30 degrees celcius.<BR>A good dive boat in Port Douglas is Calypso.<BR>If you need any assistance, please email.<BR>Cheers<BR>caro

Hi! <BR>Know you are looking forward to your trip. August is the best time to go.I was there in March after all the jelly fish were gone but it was still raining. <BR>As this was my 1st snorkeling experience I took the Quicksilver, they have diving as well, but do remember seeing the Calypso at the marina and it is a good outfit. <BR>You will have to fly into Cairns, but do not stay there. Stay in Port Douglas. All the boats leave for the reef from there so you would take a bus or a shuttle bus from Cairns. There is much more to do in P.D. lots of beaches and a nice little town with nice shops and great restaurants. We stayed at the Port Douglas Terrace Apts. our apt. was on the malencon facing 4 mi. beach. What a spectacular view we had. It was 2bed, 2bath, 2balconies, living, dining, kitchen and washer and dryer. We paid less that $100US per night and loved it and the staff. <BR>I think it would be wonderful to motor back to Sydney from there. It is a 3h4 flight from Cairns to Sydney so it will be quite drive, but to my way of thinking it would be quite spectacular for scenery. <BR>If you want info on Sydney or Specific thing to do in P.D. I have lots of answers. Can recommend BTS tours if you want to spend a day in the rainforest, and would recommend you request George S. as your tour guide he is excellent. <BR>Have fun planning your trip. Would be more that happy to give more info on request.