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Dive Review of Mike Ball Dive Expeditions in
Australia/Great Barrier Reef

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Oct, 2002,

by Wayne Leonard, Ca, USA . Report 341.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This was a 3.5 day trip - on way from Cairns to Lizard Island. Managed 11 dives during the trip (the max offered.)

The trip was about 2X the price of the next operator, but was well worth it. There are only a few cabins with private bathrooms, so be sure to request one of those if available. Our cabin was relatively spacious. Service and food on board was excellent. Crew was top notch, and a fairly high ratio of crew: guests.

The diving was really good too. I'd heard that the GBR was a bit over-rated, but had a number of great dives. Tons of fish life - including some I'd never seen before: Lion Fish, Sea Snakes, Big Cuttlefish. One highlight is the Cod Hole, where a divemaster hand feeds dozens of giant (5 ft?!) Potato Cods. Quite intimidating!

Until we reached the Cod Hole (the last two dives of the trip) we never saw another boat on the reef. It was like we had the GBR to ourselves!

I definitely would go back to do their 7 day "Coral Sea" trip that includes the Yongala.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Bahamas, Cozumel, Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Big Island), California, Bonaire, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Belize, Florida Keys
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 0-0°F / -18--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-60 Ft/ 9-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No restrictions
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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