Live-aboard Coral Sea from Cooktown to Cairns

[Henk Vos]

Dear down-under friends,

From the 16th of november I'm sailing 7 days the Coral Sea to dive the
Ribbon Reef and Cod hole.

Now at this moment in the Caribic hurricanes are going on, and also cyclones
in the environs of Japan / China, can I expect such a type of weather too on
the Coral Sea.

I heard a lot about the underwater-life on the GBR. Is it safe to dive
overthere.
What are the dangereous creatures, people told me about a blue octopus and
seasnakes.

Okay I know the principle, don't touch anything, but I like to have knowlege
about agressive and/or poisonous animals.

Thanks for your info

Henk,
The Netherlands

[viz]

Post by Henk Vos
Dear down-under friends,
From the 16th of november I'm sailing 7 days the Coral Sea to dive the
Ribbon Reef and Cod hole.
Now at this moment in the Caribic hurricanes are going on, and also cyclones
in the environs of Japan / China, can I expect such a type of weather too on
the Coral Sea.
I heard a lot about the underwater-life on the GBR. Is it safe to dive
overthere.
What are the dangereous creatures, people told me about a blue octopus and
seasnakes.
Okay I know the principle, don't touch anything, but I like to have knowlege
about agressive and/or poisonous animals.
Thanks for your info
Henk,
The Netherlands

November you could run into the start of the wet season, with unsetteld
weather, but generally no cyclones. They occur later in the year, when
the seas warm up some more.

GBR is safe to dive, have no fear. If you dive off a liveaboard, they
will look after you - the rules are pretty strict in QLD.

Your greatest danger is yourself when diving - I have dived with sea
snakes, sharks etc and while they may startle you if you are not
expecting them, I have never had any problems. I go out of my way to
dive with them in fact.

You *must* however be aware of jellyfish at that time of the year,
especially near the coast. Simple precautions need to be taken to avoid
getting stung which can be enormously painful in in some situations can
kill. Take heed of warnings, do not swim where they are about and wear
appropriate clothing.

Blue ringed octopus I am not sure are common on the GBR - however cone
shells are. Some varieties share a similar toxin and are very dangerous.
To avoid them, never pick up a shell of which you do not know the variety.

/viz

[Henk Vos]

Post by viz

Post by Henk Vos
Henk,
The Netherlands

November you could run into the start of the wet season, with unsetteld
weather, but generally no cyclones. They occur later in the year, when
the seas warm up some more.
GBR is safe to dive, have no fear. If you dive off a liveaboard, they
will look after you - the rules are pretty strict in QLD.
Your greatest danger is yourself when diving - I have dived with sea
snakes, sharks etc and while they may startle you if you are not
expecting them, I have never had any problems. I go out of my way to
dive with them in fact.
You *must* however be aware of jellyfish at that time of the year,
especially near the coast. Simple precautions need to be taken to avoid
getting stung which can be enormously painful in in some situations can
kill. Take heed of warnings, do not swim where they are about and wear
appropriate clothing.
Blue ringed octopus I am not sure are common on the GBR - however cone
shells are. Some varieties share a similar toxin and are very dangerous.
To avoid them, never pick up a shell of which you do not know the variety.
/viz

Thanks viz,

I've dived 50 times in the south of France and about 225 times the Red Sea
(Egypt, from the western part of Sinaï, Sha'ab Ali - the Thistlegorm is the
most famous wreck overthere - till Marsa Alam in the South of Egypt)
The poisson of the cone-shells is known. The cone-shells are also inhabitant
of the Red Sea.

Near Marsa Alam there there is a reef, called Elphinstone, at a depth of 42
meters we saw about 10 of 12 sharks, a silvertip, blacktips, grey reef
sharks an an Oceanic whitetip.
The last one was about 3 meters large, He or she came to us, but at 8 meters
mister or misses Oceanic turned to the right, so we could see the size of
the animal. I was very impressed.

I will be carefull to avoid contact with the jelly-fish, here in the North
Sea thera are jellyfish who cause itching-spots if you touche the tentacles,
did you mean the "portugese warship" or other jellyfishes

It's good to read that the crew of the live-aboard boats have a good
attention for their divers. I presume they have briefings before diving.
I'm doing my trip at the Nimrod Explorer. This is the first time I visit
Australia, so I'm a newbee at the GBR

Henk
The Netherlands

[viz]

Post by Henk Vos

/viz

Thanks viz,
I've dived 50 times in the south of France and about 225 times the Red Sea
(Egypt, from the western part of Sinaï, Sha'ab Ali - the Thistlegorm is the
most famous wreck overthere - till Marsa Alam in the South of Egypt)
The poisson of the cone-shells is known. The cone-shells are also inhabitant
of the Red Sea.
Near Marsa Alam there there is a reef, called Elphinstone, at a depth of 42
meters we saw about 10 of 12 sharks, a silvertip, blacktips, grey reef
sharks an an Oceanic whitetip.
The last one was about 3 meters large, He or she came to us, but at 8 meters
mister or misses Oceanic turned to the right, so we could see the size of
the animal. I was very impressed.
I will be carefull to avoid contact with the jelly-fish, here in the North
Sea thera are jellyfish who cause itching-spots if you touche the tentacles,
did you mean the "portugese warship" or other jellyfishes
It's good to read that the crew of the live-aboard boats have a good
attention for their divers. I presume they have briefings before diving.
I'm doing my trip at the Nimrod Explorer. This is the first time I visit
Australia, so I'm a newbee at the GBR
Henk
The Netherlands

Well if you have had that experience you should dive in the best place
in Oz - Rowley Shoals. Absolutely magic, better than the GBR. Ningaloo
Reef is also good. Exmouth Pier (arguably) the best shore dive in Oz
(all Western Australia - do a google search).

Then there are the other dives - Townsville - Pelorous Island - very
good fringing reefs. Whitsundays around Hook Island, western side. Great
diving. In NSW where I live, North Solitaries, South West Rocks. World
class diving. There is more than the GBR :) , which is not my favourite...

Jelly Fish:

http://www.barrierreefaustralia.com/the-great-barrier-reef/jellyfish.htm

This is a particularly nasty one and can kill. It is very small:

http://www.barrierreefaustralia.com/the-great-barrier-reef/irukandji.htm

This is a good site - have a look at it.

Cheers...John