Wavelength is a good boat. I don’t think it takes a lot, under 100, but it depends how busy they are on the day, they may go out half full. Wavelength actually belongs to a friend of ours and they’re passionate about conservation so it’s a good choice. I’d hire a car, you have to get to Palm Cove from the airport, it would be easier with a car but cost fluctuates massively, we’ve hired cars from around $30 a day, but that can skyrocket at busy times. Is it safe to wait? I don’t know, I’ve never had to book to a tight schedule because we lived there. I would certainly look at the weather forecast and pick a day with low wind. If weather is bad people could all rush to book on the one good day. The big boats, like Quicksilver are vast, hundreds of people on the pontoon and you won’t see such good reefs as on Wavelength.

Thanks in advance for your insight
Frank

I think all of the boats go to multiple dive sites, not just one ( other than the pontoon boats ) and they all have – maybe 15 different moorings and will pick the best one according to weather and tide on the day. I’ve only used 2 or 3 out of Cairns, we’re based in Port Douglas, so I don’t know for sure, but it would be odd not to move. I’ve only ever once had visibility so bad that it wasn’t enjoyable and that was when cyclone Trevor hit us when we were out on a Liveaboard for 5 days. If it’s really bad, the ships won’t run. You should be fine, I’ve never been eaten by a croc or stung by a stinger, neither have my kids. Sharks are awesome, the ones you’ll see will be small and couldn’t eat anything much bigger than a goldfish. Sightings of big sharks are incredibly rare. I know some guys spotted a great hammerhead, it was the most exciting thing ever, they jumped in and swam after it. Sharks get very bad press and honestly there shouldn’t be this fear. More people here are killed by horses, cows, bees, than sharks, or crocs. We usually wait on the weather and book direct with the boat company, in their office, but we can go any day that’s good, no work, no school, we live here. If you only have a short window of opportunity I’d book just in case they were full. November shouldn’t be too busy though. Christmas can be, and Christmas is when wind and storms seem to pick up. Fingers crossed that November will be good. There’s not much current out there and it’s rare to see swell or waves breaking on the reef where you’re snorkelling. I took my kids out there as toddlers. There will be somebody watching out for you from the boat and if you’re nervous join a guided snorkel group with a marine biologist. They’re the best way to maximise what you see anyway because they know where all the cool stuff is. Find a boat that goes to the outer ribbon reefs if possible – but I think most – other than the ones that go to pontoons – do. Sorry, I don’t know the Cairns boats as well as I know the Port ones.

Wonder if you can help me pls. I will be in Cairns first week of November and thought it is better to wait till a couple of days before to book an outer reef trip hoping to get the best weather conditions. The problem is the weather app I found, only predicts weather 5 days ahead. Is it usually windy there,? Most probably I”lll book personally from a tourist office, perhaps, if that is at all do-able. Not sure if this is a good idea. Or is it better to book online, say 3 days beforehand? What do you think please?

I thought it is better to have a boat that goes to 2 reefs instead of just being moored at one place, in case visibility is poor in one place! Or is it the case, that visibilty would be the same in the Cairns region reefs?

I will be taking my own prescription mask but to play it safe, considered finding a tour which provides them.

I am a strong swimmer but never swum in open ocean and must admit I’m a bit scared also of stingers and sharks. I beleve stinger suits will be provided since it will be stinger season as far as I know..

Any tips,advice and feedback would be most welcome as I am rather concerned in planning my once in a lifetime experience, ( and I am not young 🙂 ! )

I also plan to do the Cape Tribulation, Mossman Gorge and Daintree tour.

Can you please recommend some companies?

Whilst I am looking forward to your suggestions, I thank you in advance.