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

Mike Ball Spoilsport, Oct, 2012,

by Jo Tynon, OR, US ( 1 report). Report 6747.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments This was a fantastic, client-centered operation. I felt very pampered and comfortable. The best part of the experience was the people I met on board, both fellow passengers and staff. I've had three back surgeries and needed assistance getting in and out of the water and the crew was unfailingly helpful and cheerful in that regard. One complaint I have is that there weren't enough BCDs in my size available on board, so I borrowed one from a crew member. This could have been easily fixed: I mentioned that I am often given a too-small size BCD, so if the office staff had communicated this to the boat, all would have been fine. I arrived on board solo, but always had someone to dive with, usually a DM. I did all the dives except for the two night dives. The dive sites offered spectacular opportunities to see things new to me: cuttlefish, anemonefish, enormous cod, giant clams, bumphead parrotfish, and Sailor's eyeball. The soft corals were beautiful here in a profusion of colors! I started off wearing a 3mm full wetsuit, but soon reverted back to my 3 mm shortie with lycra leggings. I was comfortably warm, altho others kept to their full 5 mm with hood, gloves, booties. I had an O ring blowout at 82' that was compounded by my DM buddy's octo failure. We both ascended without panic and got picked up quickly by the dingy. My regret is that it was such a short dive! The shark feed dive was as advertised. I am opposed to feeding wildlife, but admit that I’ll watch anyway. I prefer noodling when I dive and the crew were Ok with that. The food on board was outstanding. I am lactose intolerant and there were lots of alternatives for me. My only wish was for good, brewed coffee (or espresso). My trip was October 25-29 on the fly/dive Coral Sea trip. The weather was lovely for diving. We had some rocking & rolling when the boat relocated, so take your sea sickness remedies!
Websites Mike Ball Spoilsport   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Mostly Maui, also Grand Caymans, Catalina
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 81-88°F / 27-31°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 130-150 Ft/ 40-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A 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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