Scuba Diving Great Barrier Reef
Resurface Dive offers services aboard Superyachts in two primary locations on the Great Barrier Reef.
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Cairns | Port Douglas | Ribbon Reefs
Whitsunday Islands
Outer Reef | Island & Cay Fringe Reefs
We have extensive diving experience in both regions and our intimate knowledge of these areas will be an invaluable asset to your Superyacht captain and crew.
Where to charter: Whitsundays or Ribbon Reefs?
A charter in the Whitsunday Islands and a charter to the Ribbon Reefs in the Great Barrier Reef both offer incredible scuba diving experiences, but they differ in terms of diving sites and overall experience.
The Whitsundays are located in the central region of the Great Barrier Reef, while the Ribbon Reefs are located in the northern part of the reef. As a result, the Ribbon Reefs are generally considered to offer more diverse and pristine dive sites with less tourist traffic. The Whitsundays, on the other hand, offer a more convenient location for those who are short on time or want to combine their trip with other activities like sailing, watersports and island exploration.
Location Options
In terms of dive sites, the Ribbon Reefs offer some of the best diving in the Great Barrier Reef, including famous sites like Cod Hole, Lighthouse Bommie and the Pixie Pinnacle. These sites are known for their abundance of colourful coral, large schools of fish and encounters with unique marine creatures like potato cod and dwarf minke whales (in season). The Whitsundays also offer some great dive sites, but they are generally not as diverse as the Ribbon Reefs.
The overall experience of a Ribbon Reefs charter is likely to be more focused on diving, with fewer opportunities for activities like beach picnics, island walks or beach snorkelling. Trips to the Ribbon Reefs are geared towards avid divers who are looking for a more immersive and adventurous experience. In contrast, a Whitsundays charter offers a wider range of leisure activities and experiences, including the famous Whitehaven beach, in addition to scuba diving adventures.
Average underwater visibility is around 20-25m+ on the Ribbon Reefs for much of the year. In comparison the visibility tends to be around 5-10m in the Whitsunday Islands and 10-20m on the outer reefs of the Whitsundays. Water temperature is usually a couple of degrees cooler in the Whitsundays, averaging between 22-30 degrees Celsius depending on the time of year visited.
Different times of the year, provide opportunities for large wildlife sightings in the two different areas. From May to June, the Ribbon Reefs become a hotspot for Dwarf Minke Whale sightings. And towards the end of August, the Whitsundays offer a greater chance for guests to sight Humpback Whales during their migration.
Ultimately, the choice between a Ribbon Reefs charter or a Whitsundays charter depends on the priorities and interests of your guests. If they are primarily interested in diving and want to explore some of the most pristine and diverse dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef, the Ribbon Reefs are the better choice. If they want a more well-rounded and diverse experience that includes relaxation, adrenalin watersports and more extensive island exploration, the Whitsundays are a great option.
Contact us to learn more about our services and to discuss how we can work together to create a truly unique and memorable experience for your guests.
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