Dive Review of Mike Ball in
Australia/Coral Sea/Barrier Reef

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Mike Ball, Nov, 2007, by Tom & Lynn Hayes, FL, USA ( Sr. Reviewer 9 reports). Report 3739.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This trip was a repeat of a trip we took earlier in the year that was cut short due to the approach of two cyclones. We handled everything via e-mail directly with Mike Ball, including hotel reservation pre- and post trip. The staff was extremely helpful and even provided storage for some luggage prior to our trip. All of the staff could not have been friendlier or more helpful. Tanks were refilled (inlcuding Nitrox) within 15 minutes of our dive, enabling multiple dives at each site. Dive briefing were very thorough, guides were offered but not required, and many unusual underwater critter locations were marked with lightsticks by the divemasters so no one would miss them. Warm towels were provided, and there was always plenty of hot water for showers. Snacks were always available, as was coffee/tea 24/7. The food was very good, with a lot of variety and plenty of vegetarian options always included. A continental breakfast was available for the early risers followed by hot breakfast after the first dive. Soft drinks were provided free, and wine was served with dinner. The bar was ala carte, but well stocked. We had a premium cabin, which was very spacious and airy for a dive boat. Two large windows eliminated any feeling of confinement. Plenty of drawer space, very good A/C and a very comfortable bed. There was daily "maid" service and fresh linens mid-week. Chocolates were placed on the pillow at the turn-down (the staff even arranged to meet another dive boat and replenish the chocolate supply when it ran low- a very nice touch)! The diving was what we had hoped for, and we identified over 150 species that we had not seen in the Carribean. Visibility was not as good as it could have been at all of the sites, but always good enough to make for good diving. We experienced a few currents, and there were several divers that had to be picked up in the inflatables, but the boat had a great system for keeping track of the divers and always having observers on the top deck and an inflatable in the water. This was our second trip on this boat, and it mirrored the first trip (except for better weather this time), which says a lot for their standards and quality control.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	All around Carribean, Australia, Florida
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	calm, choppy
Water Temp	79-81°F / 26-27°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	30-60 Ft/ 9-18 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Normal recommendations, but we were allowed to do our own thing.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Excellent facilities- plenty of space for setup and good rinse facilities. Computers available for downloads. Classes available, and weekly photo contest. Onboard photo staff provided (for a fee) a DVD of the entire trip.

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Dive Review of Mike Ball in Australia/Coral Sea/Barrier Reef

Mike Ball, Nov, 2007,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Mike Ball in
Australia/Coral Sea/Barrier Reef