Options for visiting the Barrier Reef from Sydney

I've read through past posts mentioning the Barrier Reef back to 2003,
but didn't see anything quite like this. My wife and I will be flying
into Sydney Friday morning April 29. We'd like to visit the Barrier
Reef and go snorkeling sometime before May 4th when I have to be back
in Sydney for business. So, here are my questions.

1) Is the weather generally good enough at the beginning of May to
snorkel at the Barrier Reef?

2) Are there any packages available which include airfare, lodging,
snorkeling trip, etc from Sydney and what do they generally run per
person?

3) Would it be better to visit the reef Saturday and Sunday or Monday
and Tuesday?

4) Since the Reef is so long, where would you recommend going for the
best combination of good snorkeling and easy travel from Sydney?

Thanks in advance,

Tony

wrote in message
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1) Is the weather generally good enough at the beginning of May to
snorkel at the Barrier Reef?

I have been snorkeling on the reef in early May. The tour operator
apologized for the visibilty being so low at 30 metres.

Weather is always "pot luck" though.

4) Since the Reef is so long, where would you recommend going for the
best combination of good snorkeling and easy travel from Sydney?

The GBR starts off the coast near Bundaberg and runs northward to the tip of
Queensland state.

Although it is a long way from Sydney I consider Cairns the best place to
visit the reef. The tour operators are really geared up to cater for
visitors there and there are numerous tours available.

We took the "Silver Cat" (I think that was what it was called some years
ago) out of Port Douglas. The operator should pick you up in Cairns and bus
you to the harbour. The catamaran ran to Agincourt Reef just of Cape
Tribulation. Best experience I have had on the reef.

I think they call themselves "Quick Silver" (or something like that) now.

Here is a link with several options available:
http://www.ctherealthing.com/reefdiving.html

Check them all out but be aware that a lot of the reefs visited direct from
Cairns are "well loved" whereas the ones from Port Douglas are a lot further
afield.

Expect to pay AUD$180 or so per adult.


Ross

Thank you for the great link, it's been quite helpful.