In Reply to: Been to the Great Barrier Reef posted by McDiver Down on May 29, 2006 at 09:59:26:

There are a number of three day liveaboards that leavce from Cairns, but the Aussie gov't closes mosto of the GBR, so all the boats end up going to the same reefs.

The further out you can get ( i.e., a week), the better. Mike Ball to the Coral Sea is fantastic. I used Pro Dive for a 3 day trip a few years back, the diving is still pretty darn good.

The 3 day trips out of Cairns are catered to backpackers, so they are wicked cheap (and no frills). Mike Ball/Spirit of Freedom/ Nimrod Explorer are more traditional liveaboards, $$ wise and quality wise