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Dive Review of Mike Ball in
Australia/Coral Sea

Mike Ball, Nov, 2007,

by Nicola Nelson, Ut, USA (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 3746.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Lots of good things about this operation. Numerous helpful and friendly crew and Kerrin, the "organizer" seemed to be tireless and was always cheerful. Crew kept offering water so that even my normally non-water-drinking husband stayed hydrated. Dive briefings were excellent. Food was good and plentiful and they worked hard to accommodate dietary needs of our group. The Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea have gorgeous corals and a variety and large quantity of fish and other creatures. The potato cod at the Cod Hole were so tame; fun to dive with and great photo opportunities. Our favorite sites were the "bommies;" undersea pinnacles teeming with life--you circle around them so there is no chance of getting lost. Our only negatives (except for high winds and bumpy boat rides) were that we picked up divers in the middle of the week so repeated the Cod Hole (4 dives there) and that we either had to giant stride off a very high platform or negotiate a set of stairs in full gear except for fins. And that some of the guides handled the creatures too much, possible stressing them. I would certainly dive with Mike Ball again.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Palau, Cozumel
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy
Water Temp 78-80°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 30-70 Ft/ 9-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Very few restrictions--occasionally wanted divers back to boat for a mealtime, or to set off for a new location. Suggested depth limits.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Very helpful with cameras (including the one we flooded). Rentals available. On-board professional photographer Julia held two photo contests during the week so we got to view a lot of great pictures. She was very knowledgeable and taught a course to one diver who seemed to benefit greatly from it.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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