• Up to 11 dives or snorkels including two night dives across multiple outer reef systems
• Purpose-built liveaboard vessel with onboard accommodation, meals and relaxation areas
• Access to remote, high-quality outer Great Barrier Reef sites not reached by day boats
• True liveaboard experience with the same guests and crew for the full trip
• Suitable for certified divers, introductory divers and snorkellers
• Uncrowded dive schedule planned around conditions, visibility and marine activity

A premium 3 day, 2 night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard from Cairns with up to 11 dives including night dives, remote outer reef sites, onboard accommodation, all meals, and a true multi-day reef immersion for divers and snorkellers.

This three day, two night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard from Cairns is designed for travellers who want far more than a single day on the reef. By travelling overnight and staying on the outer reef, guests gain access to remote dive sites, extended dive windows and night diving opportunities that are simply not possible on day tours.

This is a high-quality liveaboard dive and snorkel experience operating on the outer reaches of the Great Barrier Reef, where visibility is often exceptional and reef health is at its best. With multiple days offshore, dives are selected based on conditions rather than fixed schedules, allowing guests to experience the reef at its most dynamic.

What to Expect on This 3 Day Liveaboard

You will board a purpose-built liveaboard vessel in Cairns and settle into your cabin before departing for the outer Great Barrier Reef. Once offshore, the vessel remains on the reef for the full duration of the trip, allowing diving and snorkelling to take place across multiple sites and times of day.

Each day includes a combination of morning dives, daytime dives, and night dives for certified divers, along with snorkelling sessions at the same high-quality sites. Night dives reveal a completely different side of the reef, with nocturnal marine life, hunting behaviour and coral activity rarely seen during daylight hours.

Between dives, guests relax on spacious decks, enjoy freshly prepared meals, and socialise with fellow travellers. There are no daily guest transfers. The same group and crew remain onboard for the entire journey, creating a relaxed and immersive liveaboard atmosphere.

This experience is equally rewarding for snorkellers. Calm conditions, clear water and healthy coral systems mean snorkelling at the outer reef offers exceptional visibility and marine life encounters without needing to dive.

How This 3 Day Liveaboard Compares to 1 Day Reef Tours

A one day Great Barrier Reef tour typically visits one or two sites closer to shore, operates on a fixed timetable and returns to Cairns the same afternoon.

This three day liveaboard experience is fundamentally different. By staying overnight on the reef, guests access remote outer reef systems that day boats cannot reach, along with dawn dives, night dives and extended surface intervals.

Rather than fitting reef exploration into a narrow time window, dives and snorkels are planned around conditions, visibility and marine activity. This allows for deeper exploration, more relaxed pacing and exposure to reef behaviour that only occurs outside daytime hours.

For travellers who want more than a snapshot and who want to understand why the Great Barrier Reef is World Heritage listed, a multi-day liveaboard is the most complete reef experience available.

Outer Great Barrier Reef Sites Visited

During the trip, the vessel visits multiple outer reef systems located along the continental shelf. Sites are selected daily by the captain based on weather, currents and visibility.

Commonly visited reef systems include:
• Milln Reef
• Flynn Reef
• Pellowe Reef
• Thetford Reef

These reefs are known for dramatic walls, bommies, swim-throughs and high marine biodiversity. Encounters may include sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, giant clams, cuttlefish, nudibranchs, minke whales and vast schools of reef fish, alongside extensive hard and soft coral gardens.

Vessel, Cabins and Onboard Comfort

This liveaboard operates on a purpose-built dive vessel designed for extended offshore travel and diver comfort.

Key features include:
• Vessel length approximately 25 metres
• Cruising speed designed for stable offshore travel
• Two large decks, one dedicated to dive operations and one for relaxation
• Air-conditioned interior living spaces
• Free onboard WiFi
• Camera facilities and charging stations
• Indoor and outdoor communal areas

Accommodation consists of double and twin share cabins. Bathrooms are shared between cabins, maintained throughout the trip, and designed to comfortably service all guests onboard. Bedding and linen are provided.

Meals are freshly prepared onboard and served throughout the day, with generous portions designed to fuel active dive schedules.

Safety, Fitness and Suitability

This is an offshore liveaboard experience designed for travellers who are comfortable spending multiple days at sea and participating in open-water activities.

Medical Fitness and Diving Requirements

All guests must complete a medical questionnaire prior to participation. Certain medical conditions, medications or recent surgeries may restrict diving or snorkelling.

Guests must be able to:
• Swim confidently in open water
• Enter and exit the water unaided
• Follow dive and snorkel safety instructions
• Participate safely in multiple water sessions per day

Scuba diving is not permitted during pregnancy.

Guests with diabetes, respiratory conditions, heart conditions or other medical concerns should seek medical clearance prior to booking.

Who This Tour Is Not Suitable For

This tour may not be suitable for guests who:
• Cannot swim or enter the water unaided
• Are uncomfortable spending multiple nights offshore
• Prefer sightseeing-only reef experiences
• Require wheelchair access or assisted mobility
• Have unmanaged medical conditions that may affect diving or snorkelling
• Are seeking a short, low-activity reef tour

If you are unsure about suitability, our team can provide clear advice before booking.

Who This Tour Is Best Suited To

This experience is ideal for:
• Certified divers wanting extended reef access
• Introductory divers looking for a high-quality first experience
• Snorkellers seeking outer reef conditions
• Experienced travellers wanting a premium reef immersion
• Guests who value safety, professionalism and reef quality

Itinerary Overview

Day 1
Depart Cairns, orientation dive, multiple daytime dives or snorkels, evening meal and first night dive.

Day 2
Early morning dive, multiple daytime dives or snorkels, second night dive and overnight stay.

Day 3
Final morning dives or snorkels, breakfast, return journey to Cairns in the afternoon.

Exact dive schedules vary based on conditions to maximise safety and visibility.

Other Overnight Dive Tours from Cairns 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this suitable for snorkellers?

• Yes. Snorkellers enjoy access to the same outer reef sites with excellent visibility and marine life.

Do I need to be an experienced diver?

• No. Introductory divers are welcome under instructor supervision.

Are night dives included?

• Yes. Two night dives are included for certified divers.

Are bathrooms private?

• Bathrooms are shared between cabins and maintained throughout the trip.

How long has this operator been running liveaboards?

• This is a long-established liveaboard operation with extensive experience on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

Can children join the trip?

• Yes children 12 years and older may participate in an introductory dive with parental consent and passing a medical qestionairre.
• Children 7 years and older may participate in snorkelling activities under the guidance of parents at all times. They must be confident in open waters.

Barrier Reef Australia Local Knowledge and Support

Barrier Reef Australia works directly with experienced liveaboard operators and understands how conditions, seasons and reef locations affect dive quality.

Our team is available seven days a week, excluding Christmas Day, to help you decide whether a multi-day liveaboard or a shorter reef experience is right for you.

If you would like personalised advice, speak with our local team or request a Discovery Call.

Day One

You will board your liveaboard dive boat in Cairns and be introduced to the friendly crew and shown to your cabin accommodation.

As you start to get settled, the boat will leave Cairns to the outer Great Barrier Reef. 

7.00am            A breakfast will be served so you can relax and kick-back and soak up the tropical sights of the Coral Sea and the disappearing scenery of the mountains of the Great Dividing Range of Cairns as you head to the outer reef.

You will be able to take your first dive or snorkel at one your first reef site before lunch.

For scuba divers that are a bit rusty you can go on a guided dive with an instructor. 

11.30am          This first dive will be a gentle one to help people find their ‘dive legs’ and refresh them on the techniques and safety aspects of scuba diving.

12.45am          You will certainly have worked up an appetite as you sit down for your first lunch – a buffet of salads, meat platters and soup.      

2.30pm            After your lunch has settled then it’s time for a second dive. Where you will go on another journey of discovery on the Great Barrier Reef.

6.00pm            After a hearty dinner is served then you can prepare for a night dive.

7.30pm            Night Dive. It’s always amazing to see the different marine life that comes out once the sun has set.

Dive in the dark surrounded by little red lights, like a little alien planet, which are the beady eyes of of shrimps.

See turtles with their heads stuck under rocks as they sleep, you might even see a hunting shark (looking for unwary small fish – not divers!).

After the night dive, what better sight to see but a selection of desserts that will take away that salty taste after a wonderful day’s diving.

Day Two

After a stunning first day, you get to do it all again at different reef sites on day two.

7.00am            You can have a stunning early morning dive as you see the underwater life welcome a new day.

Dive through gorgonian fans, over giant clams and see and hear the munch of passing bump-headed parrotfish.

8.00am            Nothing like a breakfast of champions after completing your first dive of the morning.  Feast on eggs and bacon, cereal, fresh fruit, toasts and spreads.

10.30am          The dive boat will pull up at the site for the second dive of the day. After such a big breakfast you might need another dive weight!

12.00pm          Lunch is served! Feast on a selection of fresh salads and a hot pasta.

3.00pm            After lazing on the deck relaxing and soaking up the tropical sun it’s time for dive three of the day.

6.00pm            A scrumptious hot dinner is served before your second night dive.

7.30pm            Underwater flashlights at the ready, as you depart for your second night dive and to explore the Great Barrier Reef at night.

8.30pm            A welcome post dive scrummy dessert is served after your dive.

Day Three

6.30am            You will go on your first dive of the day as the new sunrise fills the sky and fish and marine life are just coming awake after the night.

7.30am            Feast on a post dive breakfast feast. You can’t beat the smell of freshly cooked bacon to welcome you to the day after a stunning morning dive.

9.00am            After breakfast, the vessel moors up at the last site of the trip, where you will do your second dive of the day.

11.00am          Yes, your last dive on the Great Barrier Reef – you won’t want to come back up!

                        After your dive sandwiches will be served for the journey back to Cairns. This offers a great time to relax under the tropical sun and soak up the stunning scenery as you motor back.

4.00pm            Arrival in Cairns, where you will be transferred back to your holiday accommodation.

7.30pm            A lovely ‘add on’ to this liveaboard scuba dving trip is that there is a farewell dinner arranged so you can have a final catch-up with fellow passengers and crew to congregate and to cement friendships made on the trip.

Your Liveaboard Dive Boat

Your multi-million dollar liveaboard dive boat is a purpose-built dive boat designed to ensure that all guests have the ultimate in comfortability and functionality as it cruises out to the reef at a smooth 12 knots.

Air-conditioning is installed in all living areas and there is free wifi internet access.

On board there are TV’s videos, music, board games, books and camera hire.

The dive boat includes two large decks (one for gear and divers and one for relaxation, sunbathing and whiling away another tropical day). 

The boat is 25 metres (80 feet) in length and offers 14 twin shares and two double cabins.

Bathroom amenities are shared between two cabins (total of eight shared bathrooms). It can carry a maximum of 32 passengers.  

This is a high end quality liveaboard dive tour taking it's guests to exclusive sites on the outer far reaches of Australia's Great Barrier Reef for the dive and snorkel adventure of a lifetime.  

Optional Upgrades

Whilst you are on your liveaboard dive trip why not embrace the challenge of learning more and upgrading your dive certifications? 

Instructors on board can take you on the following courses:

The PADI Advanced Open Water Course

Your next stage on from your Open Water certification is the Advanced Open Water Course.  This course will familiarise you with other diving experiences such as a night dive, deep dive, orientation and navigation (plus other elective dives).

This course will not only develop your diving to make you a better diver, but will extend your knowledge and safety in various conditions.  

PADI Advanced Open Water Course + Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course

Whilst taking the Advanced Open Water Course you can tag on the Nitrox Enriched Air Course. Learning how to dive with ‘champagne air’ does give you safer diving limits and longer bottom times.

PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Course 

If you would just like to learn about diving with Enriched Air Nitrox Course then you can learn on your liveaboard dive trip. 

Refresher Course

If you haven’t dived for a while then it’s sensible to have a Refresher Course.  Your instructor will take you through some basic safety and buoyancy exercises that will minimise your anxiety and build up your confidence.

A great way to ensure that you are happy, safe and confident on every dive.

3 Day Nitrox package

If you are already Nitrox certified and wish to dive each dive with Nitrox, then this can be arranged. 

Introductory dives (for non-divers)

This liveaboard dive trip welcomes non-divers. If you just wish to snorkel and relax then that’s fine too. 

If you would like to experience what it is like to breathe underwater then you can go on an introductory dive.

Under the direct supervision of an instructor you will be taken through some basic theory and some exercises and then taken underwater on a shallow dive to feel what its like to be a fish.

You might get so hooked you’ll be on the next liveaboard trip as a diver!

Exclusive Private Diving Instructor - Optional Extra

Book an exclusive private diving instructor on our 3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard Trip.

Certified divers can book their very own private dive instructor for an exclusive dive adventure aboard Pro Dive Cairns 3 day/2 night liveaboard trips.

The experienced instructor will act as a dedicated guide on all 11 dives throughout the trip ensuring guests get to explore the very best of our exclusive dive sites.

They will take you to those special places which may be a little harder to find and navigate you back to the boat to avoid
unnecessary long surface swims.

This will allow guests to get the most out of each dive/snorkel throughout the trip.

A private guiding option can be customised for non-certified divers and snorkellers by arrangement.

Ideal for 1 to 4 guests.

Snorkelling

This Cairns liveaboard dive tour also welcomes snorkellers who are looking for an amazing view and the experience of sleeping on the Great Barrier Reef.

With the water being so clear you only have to put your face into the water to discover an amazing underwater world of intricate and fantastic coral formations surrounded by shoals of brightly coloured fish.

With a large deck for sunbathing and relaxing you choose which activity or lack of activity you would like to do. 

For more Great Barrier Reef liveaboard dive trips see here and for the more adventurous shark diving tours. 

Our Outer Reef Scuba Diving Sites

Milln Reef

There are a number of exciting dive sites on Milln Reef

Dive sites that are used exclusively on this reef:

Petaj Mooring - home to a resident turtle and white tip reef sharks

Swimming Pools (I and II)– dive amongst schools of brightly coloured banded sweetlips and the small critters like nudibranch.

Whale Bommie (aboriginal word for mountain). This is a deeper dive location that is over 20m (60ft) and is ideal for night dives. Dive here at night and see reef crabs, painted lobsters, sleeping turtles, intricate gorgonian fans and a colourful and intricate array of soft corals.

Milln Reef has great topographical features, with wall dives and swim throughs and makes for great night diving. If you peer along the wall ledges you might see sleeping parrot fish in their mucous sack sleeping bags, barracudas and turtles with the occasional bull ray.

Flynn Reef

Flynn Reef is one of the most popular reefs that the tour visits. Moorings are at these well known sites of Tracy’s Bommie, Tennis Court Gordon’s Mooring, and Coral Gardens.

These sites offer perfect conditions for interesting day and night diving, with overhangs, swim-throughs and wall dives.

On these sites are an abundance of marine life with a diverse range of hard and soft corals such as table, staghorn, plate and boulder coral heads. 

Pellowe Reef

This is one of the more exciting dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef. This is an isolated reef located close to the edge of the continental shelf.

Due to its location it can be difficult to reach unless the weather and tides are right. Its position lends itself to dramatic drop offs and with the slightly stronger currents come the more pelagic, larger fish.

Look out into the blue and you’ll see schools of chevron barracuda, trevally and sharks.

This site is about dramatic features! Exciting wall dives, dramatic drop-offs and swim throughs.  

Thetford Reef

Thetford Reef is a reef site that is made up of numerous coral bommies. The topographic layout of this site makes for diving on exciting wall dives with many swim throughs.

The favourite dive sites on Thetford Reef are Cathedral and Blue Lagoon.

This reef is home to a wide range of stunning corals and marine life. With staghorn and plate corals and diverse marine life there’s much to see. 

Swim over giant clams, see wildly coloured angelfish and brightly coloured butterfly fish. 

Gordons

An intricate winding of coral mazes that lead to “clown fish city’ – check out all those Nemo fish! 

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

6:20 AM Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Departure Instructions

Our trip departs from Cairns every day except Tuesday at 7.00am (check in by 6.15am at our Retail Shop on the corner of Grafton and Shields Street). Our trip includes Cairns accommodation transfers (Northern Beaches transfers are an additional cost – see optional extras). Please advise your accommodation place at the time of booking or at least 48 hours prior to your trip departure reconfirm your booking.

Destinations

Great Barrier Reef

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Wednesday - Monday

Departs daily (Except Tuesday) at 7:00 am

Duration

Vessel departs 7:00am on Day 1 - Returns 3:30pm Day 3

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Camera hire
• Soft drink
• Chocolate bars
• Accommodation transfers Northern Beaches

Fitness Level Required

Low, Medium, Active

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 tour does not cater for introductory divers, Certified divers or snorkel only
• Please note that towels are not included - we recommend that you bring along two towels each (one for the ocean and one for showering).
• IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CERTIFIED DIVERS: Please note – some medical conditions may prevent you diving. If you are affected by any of the points below you will need to consult a doctor and acquire a medical certificate prior to your dive trip.
• 1 Since completing your last dive medical assessment have you suffered any illness or injury that may affect your ability to dive safely?
• 2 Are you currently suffering any illness or injury?
• 3 Are you currently taking any prescription medication other than the contraceptive pill?
• • We do recommend that all our divers take out Travel Insurance
• • We recommend that you wait 24 hours after diving before flying

Eco Certifications

Swimmers, Towels (2 towels each) and sunscreen. We recommend that passengers bring a small overnight style bag on the boat. Large suitcases / backpacks can be stored Free of Charge at our Pro Dive Cairns retail shop.

Please note that Pro Dive Cairns does not offer a child minding facility on board - young children must be supervised by a parent / guardian at all times. All Passengers under the age of 18 years old - must have a parent / guardian accompany them on board.