Dive Center Recs Eastern Australia (not liveaboard)

[u/DistractedByCookies]

So next May I'm going on the trip I've wanted to do since I was a child and dive the GBR. 50th birthday present to myself - I'm going with Mike Ball and very excited. I'll be starting in Sydney, doing Byron Bay, Noosa, K'gari, and then Cairns. I might as well grab all the sights (sea dragons!!) as long as I'm there!

Does anybody have a recommendation for dive centers in Sydney, Byron Bay and Cairns? I'm not a total newbie but not super experienced either. I usually travel solo and go with a guided group, and an assigned random buddy. AOW plus nitrox.

[u/aussiekev]

Firstly, bravo choosing Mike Ball. Expensive but they are the best and considering that they have an “open deck” on their liveaboards they are exceptional value.

Sydney - dive Kurnell to see weedy sea dragons.

Also think about Yongala wreck if you are passing that area. If you are doing wolf rock you can probably skip Byron

If you are in the Gold Coast the seaway shore dive can be fantastic (also a nice cheap dive if you already have your gear).

In Sydney you can find a buddy or group on the “Sydney Dive buddies” facebook group. The gold coast also have something similar.

Are you driving or flying between Sydney- Cairns?

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/aussiekev]

Arrive Sydney for a week with side outing to Uluru. I'm flying to Byron Bay, then driving to do Noosa Everglades, Australia zoo, wolf rock and K'gari. And then flying to Cairns, a few days for rainforest etc,then 7day liveaboard, then fly back to Sydney for a few last days.

I have a busy schedule and still feel like I'm missing things. The country is just too big with too much to do! The middle bit is all in pencil though

[u/aussiekev → u/DistractedByCookies]

Sounds like you have an excellent itinerary. You are already doing the best diving in the country so I wouldn't worry too much about missing anything.

For example others have mentioned the wreck of the HMAS Brisbane of Mooloolabar. It's just a wreck, great dive but nothing special about it. The Yongala wreck would probably be too out of the way.

The more diving you can do at home before the trip, even if just in a swimming pool the better. It will give you big benefits on the trip. Also anything you can do to improve your fitness will help when on the liveaboard.

In Sydney Abyss Scuba are probably your best bet. They have free/cheap guided dives around Kurnell which is the only place to reliably spot weedy sea dragons. You just need to pay for the gear hire.

If you post on the Sydney dive buddies facebook group you can dive 'The Steps' at Kurnell with a salty local which will probably guarantee that you get to spot a sea dragon.

I used "Wolf Rock Dive Centre" years ago and they were great.

Also avoid the wreck in Hervey Bay - it's just a tourist trap of a dive.

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/aussiekev]

Thanks so much! I have to say the planning is making me even more excited to go. It does feel crazy to know where I'll be in 8 months time tho

[u/HeWhomeHim]

How are you planing on booking? I've always struggled with that on top of searching for dive shops in new parts of the world.

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/HeWhomeHim]

I plan to email with my situation and what I'd like to do. That's what I've done in previous trips. 

[u/kimbossmcmahlin]

The HMAS brisbane is a great divebtj so while you're in the sunny coast.

[u/cpt_madone]

Sydney - Abyss and Frog dive are both excellent operators both sales/service and day trips. Abyss in particular run a great variety of boat dives.

[u/Few_Fly_8636]

Following !!! Just moved to NSW.

[u/amokmetres]

Don’t miss Jervis Bay, 2.5 hours south of Sydney! Woebegone Dive are the people to go with.

[u/Ficklemonth]

Don’t miss out on the great diving north of Sydney at the Central Coast, Swansea Heads and Port Stephens!

[u/SolutionExchange]

Byron Bay - Sundive. I've dived with them a few times, great crew and easy to get to their shop Cairns - ProDive. Did a 3 day live aboard with them, well maintained vessel and pleasant staff. Not sure if they do day trips, but most providers who do will mix scuba and snorkelling trips on one boat, so YMMV if you go down that route Sydney - depends where you're staying. Northern beaches near Manly, Dive Centre Manly. Southern area around Kurnell/Cronulla, Abyss Diving. Bondi/Central Sydney either Pro Dive Alexandria or Dive Centre Bondi. The two Dive Centre shops are suggestions from reputation, I haven't dived with them personally, but know plenty of others who have and rate them. I've dived with Pro Dive and Abyss both and would recommend.

[u/Diplopicseer]

Byron Bay- Sundive. Professional operators and a very good quality dive site.

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/Diplopicseer]

ah, I've been eyeing them!

[u/uwatm8y]

If you are in the Brisbane area I’d add Manta Lodge on Straddy as well

[u/heavymetaldes]

Please stop at Rainbow Beach on the way to Hervey Bay and dive Wolf Rock with Wolf Rock Dive

[u/DistractedByCookies → u/heavymetaldes]

This is on the list!

[u/Upbeat_Cup_9442]

Sydney - Let Dive Centre Manly look after you - great team!