dive trips from cairns

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World class scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea on Australia's most awarded liveaboard, Spoilsport.

5 Nights / 18 Dives

Combines the best of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, Australia

7 Nights/26 Dives

Holmes, Bougainville; Osprey & Ribbon Reefs. 7 Nights.

3, 4, 5 & 7 Nights

Scuba diving expeditions departing from Cairns

Exploratory Dive Trips

Planned by divers, for divers in amazing locations

Leading the way in the Australian dive industry since 1969

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions operates exciting liveaboard scuba diving expeditions departing from Cairns to some of the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.  Enjoy spectacular biodiversity on the northern Great Barrier Reef including the world famous Cod Hole, or venture out into the remote Coral Sea for exciting big fish action, shark encounters and excellent visibility.

Spoilsport is Australia’s most awarded dive liveaboard, custom built for diving and with a twin-hull design that maximises space, stability, and comfort.  Plus our procedures allow greater freedom for divers with an ‘open dive deck’ policy resulting in no restrictions on bottom time.

Great diving, just as you like it.

Learn more about the Mike Ball Difference !

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Ashmore Reef ...you ravishing BEAST!

1st, February 2024

by Trevor Jackson Let’s just talk about the heat for a minute. ...

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Liveaboard diving cairns.

Cairns liveaboard diving trips and multi-day scuba diving tours depart daily, allowing you to maximise your dive time on the Great Barrier Reef.

Diving on a liveaboard from Cairns lets you fit more dives into your trip than you could manage on day tours. As an added bonus, you can do night dives and morning dives, as well as watch sunrise and sunset over the Coral Sea.

There are many reasons to take a liveaboard dive trip from Cairns. One of the main reasons is the opportunity to dive in the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystems in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is home to thousands of species of fish, coral, and other marine life, and offers a wide range of dive sites for divers of all skill levels.

Liveaboard dive trips allow you to spend several days diving and exploring the reef, which can be more convenient and cost-effective than making day trips from Cairns. Additionally, liveaboard trips often offer more comfortable and spacious accommodations, as well as the chance to socialize and share diving experiences with other like-minded travelers.

VIEW SELECTED TOURS BELOW:

Reef Encounter – Liveaboard Dive Trips

Pro Dive – Liveaboard 3-Day/2-Night

Ocean Quest – Liveaboard Dive Trip

Coral Sea Dreaming Liveaboard

Do you need help choosing?

Can't decide? We have personally been on every Cairns reef and diving trip. We can help you choose the best tour , to suit your experience and budget.

All liveaboard trips visit several different dive site locations, meaning you get to explore more of the Great Barrier Reef.

Liveaboard Diving with Turtles

Potato Cod - Cod Hole

Coral Sea Shark Diving

There are several benefits to choosing a liveaboard dive trip from Cairns, including: more time diving, less time travelling, saving money on accommodation and meals (all included in your liveaboard package), getting to visit as much of the Great Barrier Reef as you can, having the opportunity to do night dives.

What are the options:

There are two different types of Cairns liveaboard diving trips. The first is the liveaboard trips that visit Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef . These depart daily and can be booked anywhere from a single night to a week. The second is the liveaboard trips that depart from Cairns and visit the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Coral Sea . These trips last a minimum of 4 days / 3 nights and can last up to a week.

Cairns Outer Reef Liveaboard Dive Trips

What’s the difference? Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef liveaboard dive trips visit the reefs off Cairns. The reefs are generally about 60km offshore and dive depths vary anywhere from 5m to 30m. Visibility and conditions are dependent on the season , but visibility is usually anywhere from 10m – 30m, excluding extreme weather events.

Prodive's Scubapro

Ocean Quest Liveaboard Cairns Australia

Reef Encouter at Saxon Reef

These trips are suitable for beginners to experienced divers and visit several different dive sites. The reefs you may visit off Cairns include, but are not limited to: Milln, Moore, Hastings, Saxon, Thetford and Briggs Reefs, to name just a few. To give you an indication of the amount of diving you can do on these trips, you can enjoy up to seven (7) certified dives on an overnight trip and 11 dives on a two night trip.

Ribbon Reef and Coral Sea Liveaboard Dive Trips

Cairns Ribbon Reef and Coral Sea liveaboard trips go further afield than Cairns, taking you up the coast to the Ribbon Reefs and then out to the Coral Sea. These trips depart four times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) and last anywhere from 4 days / 3 nights to 7 days. The longer trips include the Great Barrier Reef’s Ribbon Reefs (with the Cod Hole) and Coral Sea, the shorter trips visit either the Ribbon Reefs or the Coral Sea and include a low-level scenic flight, to or from Cairns.

The Ribbon Reef trips are similar to Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef trips, in that the maximum dive depth is generally no deeper than 30m and you are still within the protected waters of the Great Barrier Reef, however currents may be stronger here than Cairns. The difference is the marine life diversity and water clarity. These sites are less visited and further from shore, you can expect some of the best Great Barrier Reef diving here. These trips are suitable for beginner and advanced divers and nitrox is available as an optional extra.

Spirit Of Freedom Dive Boat

Mike Ball - Spoilsport

Diving at Osprey Reef

The Coral Sea is outside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area. Cairns’ liveaboard dive boats steam about 300km away from the coast, taking you to remote dive destinations with 1,000m wall drop-offs (dive depth is capped at 40m for recreational divers). These liveaboard trips are recommended for experienced, Advanced certified divers. Nitrox is available and Coral Sea trips include a shark feed dive, weather permitting. Currents here are generally stronger than on the Great Barrier Reef.

How to Choose a Liveaboard from Cairns Video

Watch our latest video below with detailed information on how to choose a liveaboard dive trip from Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Created by our very own dive-crazy team member Clint Carroll who currently at the time of writing has logged over 658 dives on the Great Barrier Reef.

Cairns Liveaboard Diving - General Information

All Cairns liveaboard dive boats have professional crew and equipment, boasting over 60 years combined dive industry experience. Diver safety and safe diving practises are paramount on all of these boats, with thorough dive site briefings and safety procedures on board.

Cabin accommodation ranges from quad share to double and stateroom. Some boats offer private ensuites and some do not. All boats include lycra suits or wet suits in the tour price.

Water temperatures on Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef is about 29 degrees Celsius in Summer and 23 degrees Celsius in Winter.

All Cairns liveaboard dive trips include accommodation, meals, linen, transfers to and from Cairns to the reef and diving. Do as much or little diving as you like.

6 Tips for Liveaboard diving from Cairns:

• Research and book in advance: Cairns is a popular destination for liveaboard diving, so it's important to book your trip well in advance to secure your spot. Make sure to research different liveaboard options and read reviews to find the best fit for you.
• Pack light: You'll be living on a boat for several days, so it's important to pack light and only bring essentials. Make a list of what you need and try to stick to it.
• Get your diving certification: Most liveaboard diving trips in Cairns require that you have a diving certification. If you don't already have one, consider getting certified before your trip.
• Get travel insurance: It's always a good idea to get travel insurance, especially for a trip like a liveaboard diving adventure. Make sure to get coverage for diving and medical emergencies.
• Be prepared for rough seas: The Great Barrier Reef can experience rough seas at times, especially during the summer months. Make sure to bring motion sickness medication and stay hydrated to help prevent seasickness.
• Follow the rules and guidelines: The Great Barrier Reef is a protected marine area, so it's important to follow all rules and guidelines while diving. This includes respecting the marine life and not touching or disturbing anything.

Overall, liveaboard diving from Cairns is an amazing experience that offers the opportunity to dive some of the most beautiful and pristine reefs in the world. By following these tips, you can ensure that your trip is safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable

Sunset over Coral Sea

Friendly Crew

Great for Photographers

About us cairns dive adventures:.

As each operator has different packages, reef destinations and inclusions, it can be hard to know where to start: Cairns Dive Adventures is here to help. We’ve been on and reviewed all of Cairns’ liveaboard trips and can help you choose the best one for your budget and experience.

We are not affiliated with any of the boats. We are Cairns locals who love diving and want to make sure divers who visit our town and Great Barrier Reef have the very best experience they can. This site is built and funded by us. We give unbiased advice and trip reviews , which are designed to give you a thorough overview of the trip and what you can expect to experience. We hope it is informative. We make our income from booking your tours: we thank you for your support.

For those wanting to expand their scuba diving skills, you may choose to complete a dive course while on your Cairns liveaboard trip. PADI and SSI dive courses are available.

Please note : Dive tour operators will want to see a copy of your dive certification license / card, so please ensure you have this with you when booking / travelling. It is preferable if you have your log book with you too. If you have not dived in a while, refresher courses are available.

Please note : Travelling with non-divers is no problem. All Cairns Liveaboard Diving tours offer the opportunity for guests to book an introductory dive (no experience necessary), or alternatively, your non-diving companion can snorkel and swim on the Great Barrier Reef.

For any further information please get in touch with our dive crazy reservation team by emailing: [email protected] or you can call PH: +61 74041 1638

VIEW SELECTED TOURS BELOW

View our range of hand-selected liveaboard dive trips:

Spirit of Freedom: 7-Day / 7-Night: Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea

Spirit of Freedom: 4-Day/4-Night Coral Sea & Ribbon Reefs Adventure

Spirit of Freedom: 3-Day/3-Night: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs

Spirit Of Freedom – Far Northern Dive Expeditions

PRO DIVE – Ribbon Reef Minke Whale Liveaboard

Ocean Quest – Minke Whale Dive Expeditions

Mike Ball – Spoilsport: Coral Sea & Cod Hole Expedition – 5 Night

Mike Ball – Spoilsport: Cod Hole

Mike Ball – Spoilsport: 7 Night – Coral Sea Safari

Search for tours:, cairns liveaboard dive information.

Click the links below to find out more.

Do you need help choosing a trip?

Free underwater camera hire*.

Spend over $550.00 AUD on your Great Barrier Reef tour with us and receive the latest Digital Underwater Camera Hire. Take amazing High-Resolution images and 1080 HD Video. Only when you book online thru our website. 

Not available for any tours to the Islands as fine white sand damages the seals on the cameras and makes them leak!

You need to come into our shop located on the Cairns Esplanade the day before departure to pick up the camera before 5:30 pm. You also need to supply your own SD Camera Card and drop the camera off back at our shop before 5:30pm.

Please Remember there is no other way to collect our cameras! All passengers must come into our shop the day before departure day before 5:30 pm.

Dive the Great Barrier Reef with Australia's best liveaboard

Spirit of freedom trips.

The best Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea itineraries to Spirit you Away

7 Night Liveaboard Trip

Combine our 3 and 4 night itineraries into a 7-day, 7-night liveaboard dive expedition from Cairns, visit the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole. You’ll also spend two days at the world-famous Osprey Reef in the remote Coral Sea.

4 Night Liveaboard Trip

Take a scenic flight to Lizard Island to begin your diving at the very top of the Great Barrier Reef's Ribbon Reefs. Suitable for the more experienced diver, this tour travels 200km offshore to Australia’s Coral Sea.

3 Night Liveaboard Trip

Dive the world-famous Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs. Encounter giant potato cod, clouds of colourful tropical fish, anemones, turtles, olive sea snakes, and pristine coral gardens.

Special Expeditions

Spirit of Freedom runs regular special dive expeditions to remote and largely unexplored dive sites beyond the Great Barrier Reef, into the Coral Sea and beyond. Join us for a rare opportunity to explore new sites with our amazing crew!

Swim with Minke Whales

There are few opportunities in a lifetime where you can experience the thrill of sharing the water with a creature as magnificent as a whale. Join us one on our limited availability trips for your chance to interact with Dwarf Minke Whales in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

PADI Dive Courses

Further your scuba education by taking a PADI dive course during your stay on board Spirit of Freedom! Learn new skills and gain new confidence while you explore the spectacular Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea under the supervision of our expert instructors.Courses include Open Water, NITROX and more. 

Liveaboard Deals

Throughout the year you will find specials and promotions for Spirit of Freedom dive trips on the Great Barrier Reef. Stay up to date with current offers by joining our mailing list and be the first to know when we release liveaboard dive deals on the Great Barrier Reef. 

Ribbon Reefs

To the north of Cairns and Port Douglas, and finishing to the east of Lizard Island lies a 120km ‘string’ of 10 individual coral reefs, collectively called the ‘Ribbon Reefs’

Three times the size of the neighbouring Great Barrier Reef – the Coral Sea is spectacular  undersea world of ancient mountains, rising thousands of metres from the ocean floor.

Dive Safety & Styles

We are committed to diver safety and safe diving practices, at all times. Expeditions visit remote coral reefs, hundreds of kilometres from the coast, diver safety is critical. 

Testimonials

Outstanding service, excellent accommodation, beautiful diving, safe, organised and exceptionally professional.

Dive guides checked me over before every dive, even defogging my mask and putting my fins on for me!! The captain drove the ship overnight and during our meal times to ensure variety of sites whilst also maximising diving time.The staff were second to none. Knowledgeable, very helpful, kind, funny, and very, very professional.

I have been on other liveaboard trips but none come even close to the quality of this company. I cannot rate them highly enough.

OMG! What an absolutely AMAAAAZZZING 4 day, 4 night trip…starting with the low-level flight from Cairns to Lizard Island. Then transferred onto the boat and our adventure continued. Words cannot even begin to describe this liveaboard trip – Excellent, fantastic, awesome are only some that come to mind.

I’ve done a few liveaboard trips on the GBR and this one was outstanding!

So excited to get to Osprey, Bougainville and Holmes Reef – the Trifecta! Weather was kind and conditions fabulous.I’ll be back!!!

My wife, daughter and I did the 4-day Coral Sea adventure. The accommodations were comfortable and roomy, with daily turndown service and (very) hot showers. The Italian chef Giovanni, served amazing gourmet dishes 4 times per day plus snacks. Trust me, you will not go hungry on this trip. The diving was exceptional and world class. We had a great variety of walls, pinnacles, shallow reefs and coral gardens. The sea-life was outstanding and coral was beautiful. On my favorite dive I saw a Whale Shark and Manta!

The highlight of the trip that made it amazing, was the crew. They provided the most attentive customer service and provided whatever I needed. They helped with gear, food, stories, wildlife identification, safety and kept the ship running perfectly. And they did this with wonderful, fun attitudes that made the trip fun and relaxing. Captain Scotty and his crew were professional, and so so friendly and fun.

If you are looking to dive the Great Barrier Reef, this is the way to do it without having to make trips out to the reef and back each day. Also, this ship goes to great reefs that are less dived by other boats (we did not see another dive boat the entire trip). I highly recommend this trip.

Unbelievable – Amazing – Superb Crew

Best diving ever!

Drift diving, cave diving, shark feeding, and more. So many memories.

You’d be bonkers not to go.

This trip was a lifetime dream of a 50 year diving career.

The SOF experience was outstanding on all accounts. The vessel was well appointed with excellent facilities well set up to support sustained diving. All spaces were appropriate, comfortable and well maintained. The food was of gourmet caliber and well served. The cabin was first rate and well serviced.

The diving was excellent and well organized and tailored to suit the various levels of experience. The captain, master diver and crew’s ability to get into interesting dive locations in spite of cyclonic influenced weather was admirable. The professionalism co-operation and personal attention exhibited from all the crew was second to none. The dive research, briefings and conduct were of a military precision. SOF Captain Tony and Reef Dive Master Nick were an incredible professional personable and fun combination.

I would not hesitate to recommend this adventure to any serious diver. It proved the Great Barrier Reef to be alive and well.

What an experience! Thank you Spirit of Freedom team, including Scottie, Jared, James, Anne, Gio and all for an incredible trip.

The food was great, accommodation and arrangements organised like clockwork and dive sites were phenomenal.

So good to see that Australia still has such a diverse and alive Great Barrier Reef. And the whale shark coming up to the boat to play was just magical to top it all off!!

• Full Day Reef Cruise
• Scuba Diving
• Reef Cruise & Heli Scenic
• Gold Class VIP Lounge
• 2 Day Reef & Rainforest
• 3 Day Reef, Skyrail & Rainforest
• Fly / Cruise - Half Day Trip
• Cruise / Fly - Full Day Trip
• 2 Day Reef & Skyrail + Kuranda Train
• Daintree Rainforest Tour
• Outback Tour
• 4 Day Reef, Rainforest, Outback and Skyrail
• Snorkeling Cairns
• Introductory Dives
• Certified Dives
• Marine Biology Guided Snorkel Tour
• Semi Submersible Tour
• Photography
• Private Charters
• Schools Groups
• PADI Learn to Dive Open Water Course
• PADI Advanced Dive Course
• PADI Referral Course
• PADI Open Water + Advanced Course
• Reef locations
• Gift Vouchers

• Book Online
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• PADI Courses

VOTED #5 BEST DAY CRUISE IN THE WORLD & #4 BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IN AUSTRALIA BY TRIPADVISOR

Why choose us?

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FOR 30 YEARS

Down Under Cruise & Dive are a locally owned & operated company taking locals & tourists to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for over 30 years!

AWARD WINNING TOURIST & DIVE BOAT

35-metre luxury superyacht, Evolution, was awarded the 2016 Ausmarine Best Tourist & Dive Boat in Australia. Discover the reef onboard the best boat!

TRIPADVISOR #5 TOP DAY CRUISE IN THE WORLD

Awarded Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards year on year. Our Reef Cruise was voted #5 Day Cruise in the WORLD and #4 Top Travel Experiences in Australia.

AUTHORISED 5-STAR PADI DIVE CENTRE

Our PADI Diver Training Courses ensure that your certification is accepted internationally so you can dive anywhere in the world!

Snorkel and dive at two outer reef locations

During your Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise, you will travel to two different Outer Reef locations. Saxon Reef is located in between Norman Reef and Hastings Reef and is a haven of marine life and thriving coral colonies. Relatively smaller in size than our other Great Barrier Reef destinations at just 1.9 square kilometers, Saxon Reef is a spectacular reef location not often frequented by many other tour operators and therefore is a pristine, untouched snorkelling and diving paradise. Saxon Reef offers an abundance of diverse areas to explore for both snorkelers and scuba divers.

Award-Winning Reef Tours from Cairns

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef so it would come as no surprise that the Great Barrier Reef is the #1 reason people travel to Cairns.

Down Under Cruise and Dive is one of the only Cairns reef tour operators that are still locally owned and operated. During our 30 years of operation, our outstanding customer service, commitment to eco-tourism and exceptional reef tour has helped us win many awards.

Departing Cairns, our 35-metre luxury superyacht Evolution provides an unforgettable day on the Great Barrier Reef. Our Cairns reef tour offers the most activities for even greater value. Experience two outer reef locations with up to 5 hours on the Great Barrier Reef snorkelling and scuba diving. Dial up the adventure with a scenic helicopter flight over the reef or join one of our Semi-Submarine Tours.

The world’s largest coral reef system and world-heritage listed site is ready and waiting for you to explore. Join Down Under Cruise and Dive for an unforgettable, personalised day on the Great Barrier Reef.

The best snorkelling at the best reefs. We have selected our outer reef locations for their variety to provide the best experience for both beginners, experienced snorkelers and children of all ages.

Try scuba diving without any previous experience! That’s right, if you have never dived before, and have always wished to experience firsthand the beauty of the underwater world you can arrange an Introductory dive with one of our friendly and professional Instructors.

Learn the secrets of the reef with our Marine Biology Tours

SCENIC FLIGHTS

Discover the Great Barrier Reef from above with our helicopter packages

Check out our latest reef specials, discounts and local deals.

LOCALS SPECIALS

Check out our local reef special for NQ and Cairns locals.

City, Beaches and Palm Cove return transfers available

WETSUIT HIRE

Hire onboard to stay warm and protected

What our customers say

Down under dive's evolution - extraordinary experience.

"My husband and I have done numerous reef trips in our glorious back yard, but this was by far the best. Evolution is a perfectly designed vessel for this type of experience, manned by outstanding staff, who give all guests an unforgettable day. I could not fault any part of the trip, from the food, professionalism, diving, weather and the relaxing attitude of the staff. There's a reason why they are in the top 5 in the world - an absolutely fabulous day out. This company has perfected the reef experience - not to take away from other operators in Cairns & Port Douglas, but this was just a cut above the rest. We loved it!" - NancyFNQ via

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ABN: 73 683 832 334

• Barrier Reef Australia
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Great Barrier Reef Overnight | 2 Day 1 Night | Diving & Snorkelling

Tour Code: 228

Departing: Cairns

Tour Highlights

• Our Cairns based dive boat offers a unique, small group (max 12) liveaboard scuba dive experience on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. 
• We have permits to scuba dive 25 exclusive dive and snorkel sites over nine different coral reefs on the outer Great Barrier Reef off Cairns in Queensland Australia.
• On all of our dive trips from Cairns we offer snorkelers a FREE Introductory "Try" Dive for first-time divers to see if the experience interests you to do some introductory scuba diving and a dive course.
• If you are not a scuba diver you may enjoy unlimited snorkelling and complimentary guided snorkel tours on request
• Our liveaboard dive trips from Cairns are great for beginner and advanced divers, with one-on-one instruction, flexible schedules, longer dives and unlimited tank refills
• We are one of only 2 companies licenced in Australia to offer introductory night diving

Description & Tour Inclusions

Included in price.

• The best small group dive & sail experience out of Cairns – only 12 guests maximum! We are the dive boat with the smallest groups in the whole Cairns region.
• 1 crew for every 4 guests for a boutique, personalised reef experience without the crowds.
• Sail the path less travelled to Cairns outer reefs on the beautiful Coral Sea Dreaming sail boat where you can watch the sun set over the Reef, sleep with the stars overhead and wake to a Coral Sea sunrise
• We have access to the most and the best dive locations out of Cairns with over 25 exclusive moorings on 9 different reefs – you will be the only divers / snorkelers in the water at any given location.
• All dives are guided by experienced dive instructors to guarantee you will get the most out of your dives and always stay safe.
• 1 x free (10min) TRY dive offered to all first-time divers.
• Unlimited snorkelling
• Guided snorkel tours on request
• All our locations are suitable for both divers (certified and first timers!) and snorkellers.
• Freshly prepared meals, local fruit, cheese platter and snacks included. (special diets catered for with advance notice at no extra charge).
• A combination of shared and private cabins to suit couples, singles, or groups.
• Hot Shower, 2 toilets (shared).
• Fresh linen and towels.
• A/C and fans throughout the vessel
• All snorkelling and quality dive equipment serviced to commercial standards (wetsuits and stinger suits).
• Complimentary welcome pack including toiletries and chocolate
• Bar facilities on board - Soft drinks and alcohol sold on-board (no BYO)

From Cairns, one of our most popular two-day, one-night liveaboard dive boats in Cairns. Travel with no more than 12 guests, scuba dive, try a night dive, or indulge in unlimited snorkeling. Experience an amazing sunset on the Reef and sleep under a sky full of stars like you've never seen before.

This popular Cairns   dive   tour is a liveaboard snorkel and dive tour that sails on Australia's Outer Great Barrier Reef brings you the best value liveaboard sailing and outstanding snorkel and dive sites, with access to 25  exclusive moorings at   nine   different reefs including two new moorings.  Bonus FREE Introductory "Try" Dive offered to all guests.

Ideal for families, couples or singles wanting a unique Great Barrier Reef experience with lots of flexibility. Enjoy a small group of just 12 passengers with a high level of customer service from three professional crew members.

There is ample room to spread out onboard, relax in the hammock on the forward deck or downstairs in the saloon’s social area, or chat with the Skipper in the undercover seating area at the rear of the vessel. You can even get some hands-on sailing experience.

Our comfortable yacht has 4 person bunk cabin, 2 bunk bed area and a 3 x two person private cabins with double beds.

Enjoy mouth-watering meals prepared by an onboard chef, as well as morning and afternoon teas and fresh fruit snacks. 

In water activities:

Snorkel and dive amongst exotic marine life and brilliant corals without the crowds. This Cairns liveaboard dive trip offers exclusive priority access to the most famous sites out of Cairns.   

Snorkelling Cairns

Enjoy easy access to the water from the rear platform and unlimited snorkelling in beautiful shallow clear lagoons teeming with marine life and colourful corals. We thoroughly recommend a sunrise snorkel when the marine life on the reef is most active. Complimentary guided snorkelling tours are available on request. 

Scuba Diving Cairns

Our sail boat is great for both beginner and experienced divers, our Great Barrier Reef dive sites offer something special for everyone – without the crowds, and small group numbers mean you’ll enjoy longer dives and individual instruction.

You’ll meet diverse marine life including reef sharks, stunning tropical fish and friendly sea turtles as they glide amongst the colourful coral and swim beside you.

Whale season during the months of June to September are especially entertaining.

A flexible schedule is provided and onboard compressor for unlimited tank refills so you can maximise your in-water dive time. 

• Enjoy an introductory "TRY" scuba dive
• Certified scuba diving for experienced divers
• Experience a brilliant night dive, when the Reef is buzzing with life if you are brave enough

Join us for the greatest spectacle on the Great Barrier Reef 

Over several nights each year, around the full moon in November (exact timing varies), the Great Barrier Reef 'explodes' as corals spawn in a mass synchronised event like no other!

Join us to experience this magical coral spawning event for yourselves.  Contact us to ask about coral spawning timings and bookings. 

Perfect Selfie

Share your selfie on our Facebook page and tag your best Instagram pics with #barrierreefaustralia for your chance to be featured.

Liveaboard dive boat accommodation and facilities

A maximum of only 12 guests and a high level of customer service from three professional crew members guarantees you will enjoy an exclusive and boutique experience on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

On check-in, your friendly crew will assist you to your assigned cabin.

There is 4 person bunk cabin, 2 bunk bed area and a 3 x two person private cabins with double beds.

There are two toilets and a separate hot water shower and an additional shower on the aft of the boat.

Fresh linen and bath towels are included during your stay.  

There is ample room to spread out onboard, relax in the hammock on the forward deck or downstairs in the saloon’s social area, or chat with the Captain in the undercover seating area at the rear of the vessel. You can even get some hands-on sailing instruction from the Captain.

Enjoy four mouth-watering main meals prepared by an onboard chef, as well as morning and afternoon teas and fresh fruit snacks.  Dietary requirements are met but must be requested on booking. The vessel has a pay on consumption bar facility so if you’d like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in the evening be sure to bring along a few extra dollars.

Please note there is to be no alcohol consumed until all in-water activities have ceased and no glass is permitted on the boat.

Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

Enjoy unlimited snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef in calm, shallow depths located close to our moorings and teeming with colourful fish and marine life including: 

• rainbow mandarin fish and blue and yellow parrotfish
• sea turtles
• silvery stingrays
• giant lavender-hued clams
• humpback whales (during winter months).

Guided snorkelling tours are available throughout the day on request, and comprehensive snorkelling instructions and floatation vests are available for beginners.  

Wetsuits are provided during the winter months free of charge, and full-length sunsuits are provided during summer. Prescription masks are also available – must be pre-booked. 

Scuba diving

Our liveaboard dive boat has access to 25 moorings at 9 different reef systems and exclusive priority access to the most famous sites out of Cairns, so beginner and advanced divers are guaranteed to enjoy amazing variety and uncrowded dives at some of the best sites on the Reef.

Certified Scuba Diving

Whether you are newly certified or have lots of diving experience, our sites offer something special for everyone and without the crowds! Experience great water visibility on the Outer Reef as you explore swim-throughs, caves and vast coral gardens at some of the best dive sites on the Reef.

You’ll receive a thorough briefing at each site and have the flexibility to choose to dive with or without a guide.  

Certified Divers: All diving is included. Divers should expect to do 4-6 dives (4-5 day dives and a night dive). Note that ALL DIVES are guided, there are no hidden extras.

Introductory Scuba Diving

There’s no better place than the Great Barrier Reef to "TRY" diving for the first time. Enjoy one-on-one instruction from a skilled instructor on a "TRY" dive to see if you would be keen to book a full introductory scuba dive. It’s really fun and very easy and simply the best way to see the wonders of the Reef up close.

You’ll receive a thorough briefing and plenty of time to practise with the dive gear until you feel ready to head under the water. Whichever site is chosen to explore, you’re guaranteed to encounter stunning coral formations and colourful marine life. Be on the lookout for sea turtles and damsels (fish that change colour before your eyes), our resident friendly Maori Wrasse and Nemo (clownfish).  

Introductory Divers: one intro dive is included, additional dives can be purchased onboard ($90 each). This is not an unlimited diving option like (2) above because many intro divers don’t want to commit to more than one dive, as they have never dived before and don’t know if they will like it.

Night Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Night diving is one of our specialities and we have a number of anchorages which are perfect for night dives.

A night dive is one of the best ways to see some of the Reef’s more exclusive creatures that only come out to play in the dark of night. Spot turtles sleeping in large coral bommies and parrotfish napping inside a huge bubble, as well as some fascinating nocturnal wildlife.

One little fellow you’ll only see at night is the decorator crab – a delightful creature who darts around trying on coral as if he's getting dressed! And don't be surprised if you pick up a few extra members on the tour; amazing coloured fusiliers, red bass, and snapper love the light and will follow to better find their own dinner.

Early morning dives are also spectacular. This is feeding time for many fish and a great time to see them cruising by and nibbling on plankton.

See more Cairns dive tours on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Learn more about the best Great Barrier Reef Tours on our informative blog pages.  

Tour Details

Tour languages offered.

Departs From

Departure time.

Board Coral Sea Dreaming at 7:45am, Berth 3, Finger A, Marlin Marina Cairns for morning tea and meet & greet - Departs 8.00am

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Outer Great Barrier Reef Cairns Queensland Australia 

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Please note we are closed for Christmas: Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th December; and also for New Year: Saturday 31st of December to Sunday 1st of January

2 days & 1 night

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Introductory & Certified dive packages - NEED TO BE PREBOOKED - Medical Certificate required
• Underwater cameras for hire (Olympus, GoPro), onboard only upon request.
• Any purchase made on board such as extra diving, drinks, merchandise & reef levy paid with a credit card will incur a 3% bank credit card merchant fee

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

What to Bring

• A small overnight bag only (limited luggage storage available upon request)
• Sunglasses, Hat and Swimwear, Beach Towel, Camera, warm clothes for evening, Cert card and logbook for certified divers. We accept credit cards or cash for on-board payments.
• Toiletries are now PROVIDED onboard for all guests (soap, shampoo, shower gel, conditioner).

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be in writing.

We understand things may change, so we have made cancellations very easy.

In every instance we always recommend you purchase travel insurance for life’s last-minute hiccups.

Please see our   terms and conditions  for details prior to booking.

Operators policy:

• Cancellation more than 24h prior to departure - free
• Cancellation less than 24h prior to departure & no-show - 100% cancellation fee

If we need to cancel the trip

While we aim to run all trips, sometimes we need to cancel for reasons out of our control, including:

• Strong winds
• Cyclone warnings
• Mechanical issues with the boat or equipment
• Staff unavailability
• When this happens, we will offer to either move your booking to a different date depending on trip availability, or a full refund if the alternatives don't work for you.
• Please note we are unable to cover your additional expenses such as accommodation, flights and others that might be affected by our trip cancellation.

***You are required to provide a medical certificate from a doctor declaring you are fit to dive. this is applicable for certified and intro divers***

Please ensure you are aware of the medical restrictions attached to underwater activities - Medical Conditions

Diving tickets are non-refundable – in whole or in part. There are no refunds for dives not completed because of change of mind, sea sickness or similar. We recommend all guests have travel insurance prior to travel.

Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.

Child: au $629.00 Family: au $2,516.00

Choose Your Option

15 yrs & over

Ages of Children

(discounts may apply), 1300 231 118, +61 427 074 745, you may also like.

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Departing: Shute Harbour

Pickup: Airlie Beach

Full Day Sail Around Magnetic Island | From Townsville or Magnetic Island | RAG

Full day sail around Magnetic Island. Visit locations only accessible by boat. Small & personalised trip with 10 guests maximum. Departs from Townsville or Magnetic Island.

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Enjoy a private charter dive and snorkel tour from Port Douglas on a boat with crew to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Departing: Port Douglas

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Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

A unique outer great barrier reef tour.

Eco Certified – committed to sustainability

Australian Owned and operated

Incorporating Indigenous Culture

Activities for all ages & experience levels

Experience two premium outer reef sites

Enjoy one of Cairns’ most unique & exclusive Great Barrier Reef tours. Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel invites you to explore some of the best diving and snorkelling sites on the Great Barrier Reef with our experienced Marine Biologists and Indigenous Cultural Guides. We choose our reef sites based on the best conditions for the day, so you’re truly getting the highest quality snorkelling and diving experience. Our sites include Milln, Flynn, Hastings, Saxon, Norman or Thetford Reef.

Once at the Reef, you will have the opportunity to explore the underwater world with included snorkelling experiences.

Come and jump on board, what are you waiting for?

guided with purpose

Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel pride our-self on our commitment to sustainability. The ECO Certification logo is a globally recognized brand which assists travellers to choose and experience a genuine and authentic tour, attraction, cruise or accommodation that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land and Sea on which our business operates on throughout Australia. At Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel we acknowledge the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji , Mandingalbay Yidinji, Yirrganydji & Gunggandji people, Traditional Owners of the Sea Country on which our business operates. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and to Elders past and present.

Customer Reviews

We had the best day on the reef with our 4 and 7 year old kids. The staff was fantastic. Highly recommend the whole experience.

We had a great time snorkeling the outer reef, nearly 1/2 price of other diving companies. Didgeridoo and Dance demonstrations were an added bonus thank you to the captain and crew.

A wonderful personal experience from beginning to end. The crew were lovely and worked hard all day for everyone on board.

I picked Dreamtime because I thought the indigenous touch would be a bit different and more interesting than other tours. There was nothing that I could complain about. I am so pleased I chose this trip, do yourself a favour and book it!

From the stories, history lessons, interactive staff to the stunning reef, i couldn’t have had a better day out on the reef.

This tour was the most relaxed and the most friendliest we have been on in the 10 days we stayed in Cairns. We absolutely loved it. The food was great and plenty of it.

Absolutely amazing! This brand new reef experience is the best one we’ve had in cairns – comfortable, modern, new boat and an energetic, happy, informative crew.

This was a wonderful experience. The staff were so friendly and knowledgable and the reef locations were excellent.

The whole operation was very professional and equally laid back. We felt like we had very personalised service and the crew was outstanding. This was the highlight of my trip to Australia.

Share Your Day With #letsgodreamtime

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OceanQuest Certified Diving

Take the ultimate Great Barrier Reef overnight diving cruise from Cairns. Explore the best outer reef dive sites from our liveaboard vessel, OceanQuest.

During your Cairns overnight boat trip you’ll spend your days exploring the reef, fuelling up in between dives with hearty meals to keep you going. At night, the fun continues with our exclusive Sharks in the Dark and Fluoro Diving experiences.

Overnight (liveaboard) Great Barrier Reef trips from Cairns are truly a remarkable adventure. With our exclusive moorings at Saxon, Norman and Hastings Reefs , certified divers can encounter a colourful array of marine life including fish, corals, turtles and more.

There’s so much diversity at different times of the day on the reef, and on an overnight experience you can experience dives from early morning to night. At Divers Den your diving experience can be catered to your needs, we offer the option for certified divers to dive with a buddy or with one of our professional guides for a small extra cost, giving you the independence to explore the Reef how you like!

In between your Great Barrier Reef dives, you’ll have plenty of time to rest and enjoy yourself on board our floating accommodation. From the comfort of your air-conditioned cabin with en suite bathroom, to the relaxing surrounds of our sun decks, lounge and bar, you’ll love your Divers Den liveaboard experience.

Meals are freshly prepared on board by our resident chef, and there are snacks and drinks available to keep you fuelled and ready to explore the reef.

While you’re on board, consider enhancing your scuba diving skills and qualifications. Add a PADI advanced open water course or the Enriched Air (Nitrox) specialty when booking.

Departure/Return Location:

Dive sites:, locals discount:, medical information:.

• Up to four dives per day
• Visit two of our 17 outer reef locations per day
• All snorkelling and diving equipment
• Air tank fills
• Equipment tuition
• Snorkelling
• Sharks in the Dark experience (suitable for snorkellers)
• Night diving (dive guide required at an extra charge of $20 if you have not done a night dive before)
• All meals on board
• Fresh chilled water
• Tea and coffee
• Buddy dive option available
• Transfers from Cairns city accommodation

Book Your Overnight Trip

Overnight certified dive trips.

​Includes all equipment and tuition. Prices valid to 31st March 2025. Extra charges apply for sole occupancy. Locals discount not valid for optional extras. Price is per person and inclusive of GST and all fees, including the GBRMPA environmental management charge (EMC) which contributes directly to the management of the Marine Park. Learn more at gbrmpa.gov.au

Additional info

• Digital camera hire
• Professional photos for purchase
• Soft drinks, alcohol and snacks
• Quality souvenirs
• Fluoro Diving
• Nitrox fills ($10 per tank)
• Guided dives – $20 per dive
• PADI Nitrox Dive Course
• PADI Advanced Open Water Dive Course

What to bring

• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimsuit and towel
• Overnight bag with changes of clothing, including warm clothing and socks for overnight wear
• Cert card and logbook
• Reusable water bottle

Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Excess baggage can be stored at our Draper Street office at check in.

Prerequisites

• Guests must be aged 18 or over to travel unaccompanied on our overnight trips.
• Anyone younger than 16 must be always supervised by an adult, which includes all in-water sessions and around the vessel.
• Guests of any age of guest are welcome to travel with us, however, please note we do not have amenities/accessories onboard that are suitable for infants.
• If you are planning to travel with an infant, please contact our reservations team for more guidance on what you will need to bring to be prepared for your stay onboard.

“My new favourite liveaboard agency out of Cairns. From start to finish, what an excellent experience! Everyone was helpful, patient, and took their time with everyone to make it a very personal and enjoyable experience. At each dive site, they made sure to find something unique and interesting to look at and how to find it. I used a guide for most of my dives and they were very affordable and took the stress out of navigation, so I could enjoy the dive more.”

– Ambar

“The friendliness and professionalism of the crew was truly above and beyond any expectations. The accommodations were practically luxurious on the liveaboard, and all guest needs were provided for quickly and efficiently. Divers Den has a quick and efficient system for making sure all of the little details have been addressed, enabling the guests to just relax, dive, socialize, rest and recover.”

– Ken

Medical and Altitude Info

All scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements. Some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving. These requirements can be found on our Can I Dive? page , and we strongly recommend reviewing before booking.

Queensland’s code of practice on diving states that for a single no decompression dive, you should not fly/go to altitude for at least 12 hours, or 24 hours if divers have had multiple dives per day for several consecutive days, or have made dives that require decompression stops.

Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. This includes going to the Atherton Tablelands (a popular local scenic attraction), so please be aware if booking tours to follow your dive trip. Under normal circumstances, you should be out of the water from your last dive of the day at 12 noon.

Cancellation Policy

You can reschedule or cancel your trip any time up to 48 hours before departure with no penalty. Read our terms and conditions.

2 days, 1 night unforgettable dive, snorkel & sail adventure

Experience the best of Great Barrier Reef with maximum 12 guests and expert guides

🧑 Small group and guest to crew ratio

With a maximum of only 12 guests on board and a dedicated crew of 3, we are the smallest liveaboard in Cairns. ⛵️

🤿 Best diving locations

We have access to over 25 locations on the Reef and can guarantee the best dive and snorkel locations with incredible reef diversity on any given day. 🪸🐠🦈

👌 All dives guided by expert instructors

One of rare tours in Cairns where all dives are guided by experienced dive instructors who know where to take you and how to make sure your dive is comfortable and memorable.

Who are our guests

What our guests say about their experience, simply the best reef/dive experience for a family with teens.

We just returned from an overnight trip and would turnaround and do it again! We loved everything!!! We are a group of four beginner divers (two adults and two teenagers) and we could not have had a better experience - the captain and dive instructor were knowledgeable, helpful and great company! The equipment is really well looked after and the boat is comfortable. We saw truly amazing things, learned something that we hadn’t tried before and even managed a night dive. Indescribably good. Do yourself a favour - explore the reef with these guys. It was amazing.

Fantastic, relaxed experience for certified and non-certified divers

What an awesome trip, highly recommended! My family of 2 adults and 3 teens, just got back from a two day diving trip on Coral Sea Dreaming. The crew was fantastic, super chill, but very professional. Having only 12 passengers with 3 crew made for a relaxed vibe. The food was great and the diving/snorkeling was sensational (don’t skip the epic night dive!). Both the certified and non-certified divers had an awesome time. I definitely recommend booking Coral Sea Dreaming for your trip to the Reef.

First attempt to dive

This is a fantastic cruise, the crew are fantastic. Their encouragement and enthusiasm is wonderful. All of the crew constantly checking your safety whilst diving and snorkelling. Highly recommended.

Great experience!

AMAZING, the crew were so friendly, polite and attentive, the boat was SO COOL and the dives were just fantastic. The divemaster was very experienced and took us to some great sites. And I loved that hot meal after a day of sailing of diving. Thank you!!

Great experience!!!

We could not recommend it more! Whole crew and instructors went out their way to make our trip comfortable, safe and fun! With very few divers on board we have had Milln reef only for ourselves! And what a amazing reef that is 🥰🥰🥰

Incredible 10 out of 10... The best way to see the Reef

Had an amazing time with the Coral Sea dreaming crew, totally exceeded all expectations, wouldn't want to explore the reef in any other way. Would give them 10 stars if I could, I'll be recommending them to everyone I know and would love to do it again if ever in Cairns again. Cheers guys and thanks for the unforgettable trip!!

About the tour

Accommodation.

Our sailboat has 3 private cabins with double beds, suitable for couples; a 4-bunk cabin that is shared, and a separate are with 2 bunks for singles or kids. There are 2 shared bathrooms and hot shower.

Snorkelling & scuba diving

All of our locations have shallower areas suitable for snorkelling. If you want to try diving, we provide scuba diving experience tailored to absolute beginners.

We take your safety very seriously. All our dives are guided and you are always under the careful watch of our experienced instructors and the skipper.

Reef diversity

On all of our dives, we see some of the myriad of Reef inhabitants such as turtles, rays, nudibranchs, pelagics, sharks, countless reef fish and much more!

⛵️ Authentic sailing experience

Being a sailboat, we endeavour to sail whenever we can.

There is nothing quite like turning off the engines, and just sailing away with no other sounds than the waves made by the boat. 🌊

Ticket options

There are no hidden charges or extras. When you purchase diving, your expert guide is included in the price, as is all the dive gear. This includes the dive computer and torch for night diving. We do not charge any levies or surcharges. Book your overnight Great Barrier Reef tour today!

• Snorkelling
• Certified diving

Intro diving

• 2 days / 1 night tour
• Private charter
• Reef locations
• Cancellation policy
• Introductory diving
• Medical forms

Ticket prices

© 2022 Coral Sea Dreaming Dive and Sail

Cairns Day Trips

If you don’t have the time to do a live aboard trip, or simply don’t wish to stay overnight on the reef, you may wish to book a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

For the certified diver, we offer dive guides for the inexperienced. Alternatively we can find you a buddy if you don’t have one and wish to dive unguided.

You may want to just snorkel or try an introductory scuba dive . An introductory scuba dive (also called Discover Scuba Diving) offers you the opportunity to explore the underwater world with a scuba dive instructor. The program is very easy and requires no previous experience.

There are a variety of choices regarding day trips. Some trips cater specifically for divers, others for families and have fixed pontoons they moor up to at the Reef. Others are slower sailing boats that have less passengers, and offer a more relaxing day, and great snorkelling, but may not be suitable for the experienced diver. So if not sure, please feel free to contact us for some friendly advice.

Reef Experience

Reef Experience operates daily

Reef Experience is one of the fastest catamarans departing Cairns daily, giving guests more time to discover two unspoilt outer Barrier Reef locations. Everyone will find a perfect way to experience arguably the most spectacular aquatic environment in the world, with friendly & attentive staff offering a free guided snorkel, introductory or certified dive.

Trips depart daily from Marlin Marina, and Reef Experience operates as a transfer vessel to the overnight boat – Reef Encounter. Transfers are via the day trip vessel Reef Experience.

AquaQuest operates daily

AquaQuest is a brand new custom-built luxury dive and snorkel vessel introduced in July 2017. Taking only 60 passengers, she is fully equipped with the most modern and state-of-the-art facilities including Nitrox. In other words, passengers receive unrivalled comfort with the best experience available as we visit some of the best dive and snorkel locations on the Outer Great Barrier Normal, Saxon and Hastings Reefs

Reef Day Tripper

Reef Day Tripper operates daily except for Wednesday

Want small groups and a relaxed day snorkelling and maybe trying a dive? Then this is the boat for you.

Taking a maximum of 20 people out to the Great Barrier Reef, Reef Daytripper is a beautifully kept sailing catamaran that was built in 1998. It measures 12 m x 7.5m and is very spacious inside and out.

It visits Upolu Reef which is a very beautiful location that lies at the very edge of the Outer Barrier Reef.

Evolution operates daily

“Evolution”, operated by Down Under Cruise and Dive, is an ultra-modern, high-speed,  reef day tour boat, that arrived in Cairns in 2015. The three-level, custom-designed and built catamaran takes up to 140 people but has tons of room and options for private saloon areas. 5 hours at 2 spectacular locations with up to 3 dives and snorkel times available.

Silverswift

SIlverswift operates daily except Wednesdays and Sundays

Silverswift allows up to 80 guests to spend 5 hours at 3 different locations. A 29m high-speed luxury catamaran whose prices include transfers, all equipment, morning and afternoon tea and buffet lunch.

• 4.5 - Hours

Tusa Dive operates Wednesday to Sunday

Tusa Dive is one of the premium day dive trips to the Great Barrier Reef . One price for either snorkeller or diver onboard ! Departing daily from Cairns, the MV Tusa T6 is the newest edition to the company and is an ultra-modern, custom-built 24.5-metre “state-of-the-art” dive vessel. Special features include hydraulically lowered water level platforms, a huge dive deck, and internal and external lounge-style seating throughout. Also has 2 x Fresh Water Showers and 3 x Toilets.

Reef Magic operates daily

Reef Magic is a 22m catamaran catering for up to 140 passengers. At the Reef, it moors up against a 45 X 12m double deck pontoon -“Marine World”. The pontoon offers stability and a firm base to enjoy a number of activities such as diving, snorkelling, underwater observation area, a helicopter pad for scenic flights, or transfers as well as much more. Great for families and with a dedicated children’s swimming area, it’s a great option.

Silversonic

Silversonic operates daily

Silversonic allows up to 80 guests to spend 5 hours at 3 different Ribbon Reef locations. A 29m high-speed luxury catamaran whose prices include transfers, all equipment, morning and afternoon tea and buffet lunch.

Snorkelling Special only until end of May 2024 only $199!!

SeaQuest offers fantastic value for money, and gives you an opportunity to snorkel on the Outer Barrier Reef at 2 different sites. This vessel also operates as a transfer boat taking passengers to the over night boat – OceanQuest .

Port Douglas

Wreck of the ss yongala (ayr).

Yongala Express

Yongala Dive operates daily except for Tuesdays

Take the fastest trip to the historic S.S. Yongala wreck, voted as one of the Top 10 Dives in the World.  Yongala Dive will take you to the wreck in 30 minutes.  The artifacts, marine life and variety of corals that cover the wreck are spectacular. It’s a dive experience you will remember for the rest of your life!

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Three Intro scuba diving tours. - Cairns Forum

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Three Intro scuba diving tours.

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My question is:

* What tour companies offer and allow more than two intro dives on the one full day on the GBR?

I would like to do at least three intro scuba dives and preferably out of Cairns as I will be already snorkelling out of PD at least once or maybe twice.

• Three Intro scuba diving tours. yesterday
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This is the best time for a dive at the Great Barrier Reef

E ver wanted to visit the largest coral reef system in the world? Most experienced scuba divers will agree that the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most jaw-dropping places to dive on the planet.

But when should you visit?

Peak season gets crowded, but if you leave it too late, the weather starts to turn, and the visibility isn't great – not to mention the risk of box jellyfish!

If you're planning to visit Australia, this post will show you the best time to dive in the Great Barrier Reef and what you can expect on your trip.

If you're looking for world-class scuba diving without the crowds, you should check out the different diving sites in Tulum, Mexico . 

Best Time Of Year To Dive Great Barrier Reef

The best time to dive in the Great Barrier Reef is between June and October. This is peak season when the weather is warm, rain is uncommon, and the waters are calm and clear.

The downside is that diving tours fill up quickly, and there are a lot of crowds on the beaches and in local restaurants.

If you want to avoid the crowds, the low season is between November and May. However, there is a high chance of rain, the water visibility isn't as good, and deadly box jellyfish will be floating around – not great conditions for diving!

What To Expect When Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef

The great thing about visiting the Great Barrier Reef is that you can take an intro diving tour without any experience. The crew onboard will give you all the gear you need and show you the basics of diving safely.

If you do decide to go on a scuba dive tour, an instructor will be with you the entire time to show you the route and keep you as safe as possible.

Most tours also have an underwater photographer to snap pictures of you and the wildlife while you're diving, so you won't have to worry about investing in an underwater camera.

If you're an experienced diver with a certification, you can also go diving without an instructor, but you'll need to have all your own gear and rent a boat to take you out.

Where to go Scuba Diving in Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is about 1,429 miles long , stretching across 133,000 square miles, so there are a lot of opportunities to go diving.

If you've never been before, here are some of the top dive sites you should consider visiting.

Agincourt Reef

This reef is on the northern end near Cairns. It's a great spot for beginners and has plenty of options for snorkeling and diving on the edge of the continental shelf.

At Agincourt Reef, you'll see tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the odd reef shark. This is also the spot where you can visit the Blue Wonder Wall, where the coral garden drops vertically for over 40 meters.

Most tours to Agincourt Reef depart from Port Douglas, but a few tours will pick you up directly from any Cairns accommodation.

SS Yongala Shipwreck

Travel about an hour south of Cairns, and you'll find Magnetic Island, home to the SS Yongala shipwreck that sank in 1911. This is Australia's largest and most intact shipwreck and is now protected by legislation.

The only way to visit the shipwreck is with a licensed operator, but it's well worth the trip. You'll get to see eagle rays, manta rays, turtles, and even sharks that live around the wreck.

Yongala Dive is the most well-known licensed operator that organizes tours to the shipwreck if you're interested in going.

Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsundays is a group of 74 mostly uninhabited tropical islands. You can take day cruises from Airlie Beach to take on this incredible scuba dive tour.

Manta ray and batfish call the waters around the islands home, but you'll also see underwater cliffs, submerged offshore reefs (bommies), and flat-topped coral pinnacles.

Museum of Underwater Art

Yes, the Great Barrier Reef has its very own underwater museum for divers to peruse. This is where you'll get to see the world-renowned Coral Greenhouse Structure, a 30-foot stainless steel structure that helps dissipate the underwater currents.

The Underwater Museum is just off the coast of Townsville in John Brewer Reef, and many local tour guides have trips out to the dive site. Although you can see the museum by snorkeling, you can't beat the experience of diving down to explore every beautiful detail.

Capricorn and Bunker Reefs

Toward the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, you'll get to meet whales, nesting turtles, and rare birds at the Capricorn and Bunker Reefs.

The water is shallow, so it's perfect for beginner divers, and it's teeming with marine life. If you're not up for diving, you can snorkel without a guide to see the tropical fish, turtles, and manta rays swimming nearby.

But diving near Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island is the best place to see huge fish, coral canyons, and marine turtles that nest on land.

What You'll See When Scuba Diving In Great Barrier Reef

It's hard to picture the sheer amount of marine life surrounding the Great Barrier Reef. If you're a lover of ocean creatures, you won't be disappointed!

• Between June and July is the best time to see a dwarf minke whale gathering.
• Also, through the summer, you'll see beaked whales, sperm whales, and bottlenose dolphins.
• Grouper, cod, and beam fish are also common – and they get pretty big in this part of the world!
• If you love sharks, you might be lucky enough to spot a silky, silvertip, grey reef, or whitetip shark – all of which call the Reef home.

Tips For Scuba Diving In Great Barrier Reef

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef is a unique experience, so if this is your first trip, here are some helpful tips to make it a great one.

• Get your scuba diving certification before you go so you can take full advantage of all the trips on offer.
• When you choose a dive company, make sure they have permits for multiple scuba dive sites. There could be an issue with overcrowding at the one you planned on visiting, so you want to make sure they can switch to a different one if they need to.
• Cairns is the most popular area, so it's usually the most crowded. Some less popular (but equally incredible) places to visit are Townsville, Port Douglas, and Cape York.
• If you have family members who don't want to dive, many tour operators allow people to join you on the boat and go snorkeling at the dive sites.
• If you want to try out underwater photography, most of the bigger boats have cameras for rent for around 80 AUD.
• If you're an experienced diver, plan a multi-day trip. This gives you more time to explore, and you'll get to visit multiple sites.
• Never touch the coral – it's a living organism, and the oils and creams on human skin can kill it.
• Make sure your travel insurance covers scuba diving – not all policies cover water sports.
• If you're a non-swimmer who wants to try scuba diving, be honest about your abilities with your instructor. They'll have flotation devices to get you started.

Best Dive Shops in Great Barrier Reef

You'll find multiple dive shops in each area of the Great Barrier Reef, all offering different excursions. Here are a couple of the best ones if you're looking to book in advance.

Pro Dive Cairns 

This one covers the Cairns area and is known for trips exploring the most vibrant reefs. If you're an experienced diver, this is the team for you. However, non-divers and snorkelers are also welcome.

They have over 35 excursions on offer, including day trips from Cairns and Port Douglas, which are perfect for exploring as much of the Outer Great Barrier Reef as possible.

Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive

This dive shop is perfect for scuba divers of all levels (as well as snorkelers). They're based in Townsville and offer day trips to the Queensland coast and the Central Great Barrier Reef.

The sites visited range in depth from one to twenty meters, and they aim to help you spot as much marine life as possible on your reef experience.

Lady Musgrave Experience

This team is situated in Bundaberg and takes divers out on day trips aboard a high-speed catamaran. Once you're at the site, you'll get a full day of Great Barrier Reef diving in a protected coral lagoon that covers around 8km.

There's also a chance to sunbathe and relax on Lady Musgrave Island and go snorkeling around the shores. The Great Barrier Reef tour guides also offer a guided island walk where you can spot the turtles nesting during the hatching season.

Ready to Go Scuba Diving?

Most scuba divers will agree that Australia is one of the most incredible places to go diving in the world. And the best time of year to dive in the Great Barrier Reef is during the warmer months.

But if you're looking for a great place to go scuba diving a little closer to home, Florida is a great choice.

Check out our next post for the best time to go scuba diving in the Florida Keys .

This article originally appeared on The Roam Wild and was syndicated by MediaFeed.