On  Monday, June 12, 2000 9:47 PM, Poe Lim wrote:

(snip)
> BTW, WRT Qld, is it worth-while taking a camera along (this is with
> OceanQuest)?

Yes! :-)

>I've read conflicting reports as to the visibility of the
> closer reef.

'Close' is a relative term.  The reefs visited by OceanQuest are at, or
close to, the GBR's outer edge, north-east from Cairns.  Land-based
influences on visibility (ie. rain run-off, river and creek out-flows), are
not an issue.  The weather, however, is.  Although this time of the year is
'normally' the dry season there are often strong blows.  This can and does
stir up the coral sand surrounding the reefs.   Seldom, however, is this
sufficient to spoil any U/W photographic opportunities.

> And to add on to the motion sickness discussion, how rough are
> conditions generally?

'Generally' speaking, they're good.  But the weather gods are always
unpredictable! :-)

OceanQuest is, however, a converted deep ocean vessel.  It's beamy and
heavy-hulled and - because there are daily transfers to and from Cairns - is
ideal as an introduction to live-aboard diving.

Strike