• Book your superbly appointed stateroom cabin accommodation for your ultimate liveaboard dive and snorkel tour on the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns. Only 21 staterooms available, twin, double, sole occupancy. 
• Choose your mode of transport from Cairns by boat or helicopter transfer to the liveaboard dive and snorkel boat on the outer reef. Stay for as many nights as you wish on our floating hotel, boatel. 
• Fully air-conditioned 35 metre catamaran boatel/hotel designed with the utmost stability and creature comforts for extended dive and snorkel holiday in style. Outdoor fresh water hot tub, licenced bar, sundeck, dining saloon, heli pad and more.
• All of our 21 stateroom cabins have their own private ensuites, fully air-conditioned, towels and toiletries. All meals freshly prepared by onboard chefs, the best dive and snorkel gear and marine biology presentations. 

Book our Stateroom accommodation for our very popular Great Barrier Reef scuba diving and snorkelling liveaboard tours. Our dive tours are suited to everyone at all levels wanting to see the reef from Cairns

What to Expect

Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Diving and Snorkelling Tour

Experience the ultimate Great Barrier Reef tour with our overnight diving and snorkelling tours, departing daily from Cairns. Our flexible, multi-day tours are perfect for divers and snorkellers of all levels, offering a unique opportunity to explore the reef's diverse marine life and vibrant coral formations. Stay in one of our 21 luxury stateroom cabins and enjoy a seamless blend of underwater adventure and comfort. With only 42 divers onboard at any one time you are sure to have the ultimate diving and snorkelling experience on the Great Barrier Reef.

Features and Highlights

Luxurious Liveaboard Great Barrier Reef Tour Accommodation

Book your dream Great Barrier Reef holiday in one of our 21 stateroom cabins, featuring twin share or double beds, private ensuites, air-conditioning, ocean views, and power outlets for charging devices. Upgrade to our "Exclusive Captains Club" for added luxury, including your very own private valet service.

Flexible Overnight Dive Tour Durations

Choose the duration that suits you best:

• 2 Day / 1 Night: Intro divers: 4 day dives, certified divers: 4 day dives + 1 night dive
• 3 Day / 2 Night: Intro divers: 7 day dives, certified divers: 7 day dives + 2 night dives
• 4 Day / 3 Night: Intro divers: 10 day dives, certified divers: 10 day dives + 3 night dives

Exclusive Outer Barrier Reef Dive Sites

We have exclusive permits for 15 coral reef sites on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, ensuring the best diving and snorkelling conditions. Our liveaboard dive boat typically visits two reef locations per day, selected by the skipper for optimal visibility and marine life encounters.

Helicopter Scenic Flight Transfers

Enhance your Great Barrier Reef overnight tour experience with a scenic helicopter flight from Cairns. Land on the upper deck of our liveaboard boat and enjoy breathtaking views of the reef. Helicopter transfers are available for both arrival and departure, subject to availability.

On-Board Dive Boat Amenities

• All Meals Included: Enjoy freshly prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a variety of options to keep you satisfied.
• Snorkelling and Scuba Gear: The latest equipment is provided, with wetsuits available for an additional charge.
• Marine Biology Presentations: Learn about the reef's ecosystem from our knowledgeable crew.
• Luggage Storage: Free storage facilities in Cairns for your convenience.

Diving & Snorkelling Locations

Hastings Reef

Hastings Reef is a diver’s paradise, known for its excellent coral cover and diverse marine life. This reef offers a range of dive sites, each providing different underwater experiences. From shallow coral gardens to deeper walls, you’ll encounter vibrant corals, giant clams, and an array of colourful fish. This site is perfect for both novice and experienced divers, offering calm conditions and plenty of marine biodiversity.

Breaking Patches Reef

A gem located near Michaelmas Cay; Breaking Patches is ideal for observing marine life in their natural habitat. This small patch reef is famous for its giant clams and blue-spotted stingrays. You might also spot Gus, the resident sea turtle, who is a favourite among our guests. The clear, shallow waters make it perfect for snorkelling and diving, providing an up-close look at the reef’s stunning inhabitants.

Saxon Reef

Depending on the season, Saxon Reef can be a hive of marine activity. It’s a great place to see young cuttlefish families and, during the right time of year, migrating humpback whales. White tip reef sharks often rest in the shallow sandy areas, while vibrant schools of fish dart among the coral formations. Popular dive spots include 'Magic Mooring,' 'Turtle Bommie,' and 'Twin Peaks,' each offering unique underwater landscapes and abundant marine life.

Norman Reef

The northernmost destination on our itinerary, Norman Reef, is known for its breathtaking underwater scenery. Featuring stunning swim-throughs, underwater caves, and diverse marine life, this reef is a highlight for any diver. Look out for the resident giant Maori wrasse, Frank, and enjoy spectacular sunrise snorkels and night dives. The vibrant coral formations and crystal-clear waters make it an unforgettable diving experience.

Jorgensen Patch

Jorgensen Patch offers a unique diving experience with its walls, gullies, small caves, and overhangs. This reef is home to a variety of marine species, including white-tip sharks, schools of damsels, and fusiliers. The sandy bottoms are dotted with giant clams, sea cucumbers, and blue-spotted lagoon rays. The rich marine biodiversity and intriguing underwater topography make this site a favourite among our guests.

Book Your Adventure

Join us for an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef overnight dive and snorkel tour. Whether you’re an avid diver or a passionate snorkeller, our Cairns reef tours offer the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. Explore the best dive sites, enjoy luxurious accommodations, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the reef. Book your tour today and experience the magic of the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland!

View all overnight dive and snorkel tours in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.

View all Helicopter and Great Barrier Reef combo tours.

Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef on our Blog.

Cairns Famous Liveaboard Dive Boat

Departing from Cairns we take our guests to see the best parts of the outer Great Barrier Reef so they can spend a few days exploring the depths of the ocean to see the most brilliant of corals and marine life that call these outer reefs home   

We have exclusive dive permits for 15 coral reef sites on the Great Barrier Reef and each day the skipper decides which of these reef locations will offer our guests the most brilliant dive and snorkel conditions.

Our liveaboard dive boat normally visits two reef locations per day.   

Join us and book your cabin on our Cairns floating hotel for your dive trip of a lifetime.

Choose to further upgrade to the "Exclusive Captains Club' and enjoy all the VIP privileges with your very own private valet who will look after your every need on your liveaboard scuba dive trip here.

Cairns Dive Boat Liveaboard Accommodation Choices

Only 21 Stateroom Cabins

• Twin Share or Double Beds
• Private ensuites
• Air-conditioned
• Ocean views from the cabin.
• Towels and toiletries are provided along with power outlets for charging of phones and camera equipment.
• Check in time 10.00am
• Check out time 8.00am

Please note: These cabins are located on the 1st floor and each cabin has a port hole for fresh air. All guests in these rooms are to bring their own personal towels. Guests must be 18 years and older to stay in these rooms without parents.  

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Boat Inclusions

• All meals
• Great crew members to look after our guests
• The latest snorkelling and scuba diving equipment (wetsuits additional charge)
• Prescription mask available additional charge
• Compressors
• Marine biology presentation
• Six water sessions at multiple reef locations per day
• Night time diving for certified scuba divers only
• Free luggage storage facilities in Cairns  

On-Board Scuba Diving Courses

This Cairns dive boat is a SSI Diamond Dive Centre training facility offering certification courses from beginner level to professional diver level onboard the boat.  

The boat has classrooms on-board making it easy to improve your diving skills and knowledge whilst on your Great Barrier Reef tour negating wasted time and money spent on accommodation in Cairns.

Our onboard training centre enables our students to dive with more confidence, comfort and have more experience underwater.  

Dive Courses Available

• Learn to scuba dive
• Referral Scuba Dive Course
• Advanced Adventure Course
• Refresher Course
• Stress and Rescue Course

Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world, but also the safest scuba diving record. All scuba divers are required to complete and pass the medical questionnaire prior to the boats departure.

Cairns Helicopter - Boat Transfers

If you really wish to travel in style then book our Cairns helicopter scenic flight transfer package. 

Board the helicopter in Cairns and take a low level scenic flight over the reef and land on the upper deck of your floating hotel that will be sitting on the outer reef.  

You may also take a return helicopter flight back to Cairns at the end of your liveaboard dive and snorkel tour. 

Helicopter transfers are subject to availability & passenger body weights, priced from $812.50 per person (minimum 2 passengers required)

Cairns Dive Boat Facilities

• Fully air-conditioned 35 metre catamaran hotel designed for stability and comfort just like a hotel
• Large dining saloon
• TV and lounge area
• Outdoor, fresh water hot-tub
• Spacious sundeck with sun lounges
• Fully licenced bar 
• Large easy access dive and snorkel platform
• Helicopter pad on the roof for scenic flights and land transfers from Cairns to the dive boat 

Cairns Dive Tour Sample Itinerary 3 Day 2 Nights (winter schedule May to Sep) - Day 1

7.30am
Board Reef Experience transfer vessel at Cairns Marlin Marina for transfer to Reef Encounter

8.30am
Breakfast Bacon & Egg Rolls

9.30am
Arrive onboard your liveaboard dive boat home for the next few days where you are greeted by the crew for your ‘Welcome & Safety Talk’ before being shown to your room to settle in and relax

10.00am
Room check-in

10.30am
Water Session: Time to snorkel for all guests before lunch

12.00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon

13.00
Water Briefings for all (certified & intro divers as well as snorkellers)

13.30
Water Session: Scuba dive or snorkel time

15:00
Reef Encounter moves to new reef site

15.30
Water session: scuba diving, snorkelling 

17.30
Night dive briefing for certified divers

18:00
Water session for night divers

19:15
Dinner

20.00
Dessert

Cairns Dive Tour Sample Itinerary 3 Day 2 Nights (winter schedule May to Sep) - Day 2

6.00am
Wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session

6:30am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time.

7:30am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon

8.00am

Reef Encouter moves to new reef site

10:30am
 Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time

12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon

13:30
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time

15.00
Reef Encouter moves to new reef site

15.30
Water session: scuba diving, snorkelling

17.30
Night dive briefing for certified divers

18:00
Water session for night divers

19:15
Dinner

20.00
Dessert

Cairns Dive Tour Sample Itinerary 3 Day 2 Nights (winter schedule May to Sep) - Day 3

6.00am
Wake-up call for the early morning dive and snorkel session

6:30am
Water Session: Sunrise scuba dive or snorkel time

7:30am
Breakfast is served in the dining saloon

8.00am
Room check-out

10:30am
Water Session: Scuba Dive or Snorkel Time

12:00
Lunch is served in the dining saloon

13:30
Water Session: Snorkel only

14:45
Departing passengers board the transfer boat for the journey back to Cairns

15.15
Refreshments complimentary wine, cheese and biscuits served on the return journey

16:30
Approximate arrival time to the Cairns Marlin Marina

About the Diving & Snorkelling Locations

We visit spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reef locations, with access to well over 15 dive and snorkel sites over a range of the best Outer Great Barrier Reefs. 

Each day our dive boat Captain decides which reef locations to visit based on the time of year, weather, other conditions and which reef site offers guests the best reef experience and comfort.

Generally we would visit two reef locations every day –  moving twice per day – once in the morning and once again in the afternoon (weather dependent).

Hastings Reef

Hastings Reef is a fabulous coral reef in all weather, and we have many different locations to choose from here depending on which way the wind blows!

Being the largest reef site that our liveaboard dive boat visits, it provides good protection and calm diving and snorkelling conditions all year round.

Favourite dive and snorkel spots along this reef include ‘coral gardens’, ‘the fish bowl’ and ‘compass mooring’.

Breaking Patches Reef

A popular afternoon destination for when the weather is good, Breaking Patches is a small reef location  just north of Michaelmas Cay – a tropical sand island and marine turtle breeding ground.

As the name suggests, this is a patch reef and is great for viewing giant clams and blue spotted stingrays.

It’s also home to one of our well loved marine friends – the friendly resident sea turtle, called ‘Gus’.

Saxon Reef

Depending on the time of year, Saxon Reef can be a hive of marine activity. In the right seasons it’s a great reef to see young cuttlefish families or migrating humpback whales.

White tip reef sharks can often be seen sleeping on the shallow sandy areas and hiding under coral coves.

Popular dive and snorkel spots along this reef site include ‘magic mooring’, turtle bommie’ and the famous ‘twin peaks’.

Norman Reef

The furthest north Outer Great Barrier Reef destination that we visit – the coral and vast variety of marine life here is simply breathtaking!

Outstanding swim throughs, underwater caves, bronze whalers and it’s also home to our giant Maori Wrasse ‘Frank’.

This is the most impressive reef for a sunrise snorkel or night dive due to the number of larger inhabitants such as turtles and reef sharks

Jorgensen Patch
There are walls, gullies, small caves, overhangs and swim-throughs that can be found in the area of ‘Jeorgies’ – a reef visited at the right time of year.

With sandy bottoms that have giant clams, there are sea cucumbers and bluespotted lagoon rays on the sandy bottoms as well as lots of soft corals

You can also observe whitetip sharks, schools of damsels and fusiliers schooling in the plankton rich waters

For more liveaboard dive trips on the Great Barrier Reef see here or to book one of our 8 Captains Club Cabins look here 

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

Boarding 7:30am - Departure 8:00am - Returns to Cairns 4.30pm (approx.)

Departure Instructions

Please note your transfer vessel from Cairns to the liveaboard dive boat will be Reef Experience located at Cairns Marlin Marina, A Finger.

Pickup Locations

• Cairns
• Cairns Northern Beaches
• Port Douglas

• Return transfers are an extra cost

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Norman Reef, Saxon Reef, Hastings Reef, Breaking Patches and Michaelmas Reef. The Captain will choose the location based on weather and which reef offers the best experience and comfort for guests. 

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Daily

Duration

2 to 4 days
Additional nights available on request

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Return coach transfers from Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas are an optional extra and need to be prebooked (subject to availability)
• Return or one way helicopter transfers are an optional extra and need to be prebooked (subject to availability)
• All diving and water activities and extras are bookable/payable on the day of travel direct on the boat: 
• Alcohol can be purchased on the boat - No BYO
• Snacks such as chocolate, chips, soft drink can be purchased onboard

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

• Scuba Diving – minimum age 12
• Certified dive packages are for those already qualified as scuba divers and must hold Open Water Diver level or higher and produce divers certification

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.

Additional Information

• This operator reserves the right to change locations, prices, vessels and itineraries due to unforeseen circumstances without notice. Each day the captain will assess weather conditions and other technical issues to determine the vessels location for that day.
• FLYING AND SCUBA DIVING
• You should not travel to a high altitude (fly or drive above 8000 feet) within 18 hours of completing a single scuba dive or 24 hours after multiple dives OR after any ‘deep’ dive. (A deep dive is any dive over 18 meters/60 feet).
• We recommended leaving a minimum of 24 hours after your last scuba dive before flying. You can fly and then dive the same day – but not dive and then fly. On the last day of your liveaboard scuba tour, your final dive will be finished by around 12 noon.
• Please consider this when arranging ongoing travel plans which include flying or driving to altitude. Flying any time after 12 noon the following day is recommended.
• If you have booked a helicopter transfer back to Cairns as part of your Great Barrier Reef liveaboard tour – lucky you! It’s a fabulous way to end a Great Barrier Reef adventure. Our helicopter tours are low flying scenic excursions over the coral reef that are designed to be a safe activity after scuba diving. You may book a helicopter transfer back to Cairns on the final day of your stay with us, even if you have scuba dived that day.
• SCUBA DIVING - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Queensland, Australia has some of the strictest scuba diving rules in the world but also the safest scuba diving record.
• We have a passion to show Australia’s Great Barrier Reef so please make sure that you understand the scuba diving laws. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all rules including medical as is the law.
• To avoid disappointment on your day of travel we strongly recommend that all passengers complete our Dive Medical Questionnaire prior to booking as some medical conditions, age and / or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. Age restrictions will also apply to any diver training courses.
• It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef experience. We are very happy to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact us.
• No refunds will be offered for uncompleted dives.
• No refunds will be offered for uncompleted dives due to medical / health / medication restrictions.
• All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST
• We recommend Travel Insurance

• Please bring with you only a small to medium overnight bag with personal items:
• Casual clothes, personal toiletries, sun hat, swimming clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, medication if needed, jumper/pullover/cardigan as evenings can be cool etc.
• Camera
• For large luggage pieces that are not required at the reef, we offer a free luggage storage facility at office in the city. It is about a 15-minute walk to the Cairns Marina from our offices. Office opening times are from 7am – 9pm, 7 days a week. If you have selected a bus pick-up option on the morning of your tour, you may leave any large items with the bus driver who will deliver them to our office storage facility
• For safety reasons, Reef Encounter has a ‘no shoe’ policy. There is no need to bring extra pairs of shoes – socks are great
• Personal dive/snorkel equipment if you would prefer to use your own. While equipment hire is included in your booking, you are welcome to bring any personal dive/snorkel items if you wish to. (Optional extras for hire are wetsuits and prescription lens masks)
• Cash or credit card for purchases
• Proof of certification if you are a Certified Scuba Diver (must be equivalent of Open Water Level or above) – this will be checked by the Dive Supervisor at the start of your trip. All persons intending to scuba dive should read the Scuba Divers Important information page. Read More
• Dive medical if you are intending to Scuba Dive and require one to comply with Australian Dive Regulations – See our SCUBA Divers Important Information page to avoid disappointment on your trip.
• IMPORTANT – dive medicals will only be accepted if they are conducted using the Australian Medical Examination Form AS4005.1 and clearly state this on the medical Certificate that you provide the Dive Supervisor onboard Reef Encounter

• Children 2 to 18 adult rates applies
• Rolloway beds are available for children up to 11 years of age - on request only, extra cost applies
• Introductory/Resort Scuba diving is available for children 12 years and over
• Certified dives are available for children that hold a scuba dive certification