• Amazing life changing expereince is to swim with the Dwarf Minke whales during the months of June & July
• The opportunity to spend time in the water with an inquisitive Dwarf Minke Whale
• Scuba diving the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef
• Sleeping on the Great Barrier Reef and experiencing the sunrises and sunsets  

Cairns Dwarf Minke Whale liveaboard dive tours, unique only to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Where else can you swim & dive with Dwarf Minke Whales. Book now to enjoy amazing whale encounters that will literally inspire your love of these playful whales.

Our Cairns Dwarf Minke Whale liveaboard dive and snorkel tours are only available in the months of June and July whilst the Dwarf Minke Whales are here in their peak numbers during their annual migration to the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

Our swim with whales expeditions are in high demand due to the limited time that the Minke Whales spend in the Agincourt Ribbon Reef region on the outer edges of the Great Barrier Reef.

What to Expect

Witness one of the world's rarest marine wildlife encounters on a Dwarf Minke Whale diving expedition from Cairns. Only 3 limited departures available during June and July 2027, these exclusive 4-night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard expeditions coincide with the annual migration of Dwarf Minke Whales from Antarctic waters to the remote Ribbon Reefs, where they are known for their naturally curious behaviour around divers, snorkellers and boats.

Accessible only by overnight liveaboard, the Ribbon Reefs offer some of the healthiest coral ecosystems on the Great Barrier Reef and provide the only place in the world where these remarkable whale interactions occur on a regular basis.

Whether you choose to snorkel or scuba dive, every encounter is carefully managed under strict conservation guidelines. Growing up to 8 metres long and weighing as much as 6 tonnes, Dwarf Minke Whales frequently approach guests, creating unforgettable close-range wildlife experiences. During peak season, the expedition has a success rate exceeding 90% for close whale sightings, with interactions sometimes lasting two hours or longer.

Beyond the whale encounters, you'll explore some of the Great Barrier Reef's most celebrated dive sites including Steve's Bommie, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie's Pinnacle, Clam Garden and Challenger Bay, with locations selected according to weather and sea conditions. Expect vibrant coral gardens, turtles, reef sharks, rays, giant clams, octopus, schools of tropical fish and an incredible diversity of marine life.

Your home throughout the expedition is the comfortable OceanQuest liveaboard, featuring air-conditioned cabins with private ensuites, spacious lounge areas, licensed bar and freshly prepared meals served daily by the onboard chef.

A unique feature of these expeditions is the opportunity to contribute to genuine marine conservation. Researchers from the Minke Whale Project travel onboard throughout the season, presenting daily talks and inviting guests to participate in valuable citizen science research that helps improve understanding and protection of Dwarf Minke Whales.

Guests wanting a deeper understanding of these remarkable animals can also add the PADI Minke Whale Awareness Specialty. Developed by experienced dive professionals, the course explores whale biology, behaviour, identification, conservation challenges and responsible interaction techniques. It includes theory sessions together with two open water training dives, making it an excellent addition for divers interested in marine conservation.

Please note all whale interactions operate under a GBRMPA Swimming with Whales permit, with strict guidelines in place to ensure the wellbeing of both guests and whales

Features and Highlights

Exclusive Dwarf Minke Whale Expedition

• Available only during June and July.
• Experience one of the only places on Earth where people can legally interact with Dwarf Minke Whales in the wild.
• Over 90% success rate for close whale encounters during peak migration.
• Encounters can last two hours or more.

Explore the Remote Ribbon Reefs

Dive and snorkel at spectacular northern Great Barrier Reef locations including:

• Steve's Bommie
• Lighthouse Bommie
• Pixie's Pinnacle
• Clam Garden
• Challenger Bay
• Additional Ribbon Reef sites selected according to conditions

Four Nights Aboard OceanQuest

• Air-conditioned twin and double cabins.
• Private ensuite bathrooms.
• Comfortable lounge and licensed bar.
• Freshly prepared meals by the onboard chef.
• Relaxed liveaboard atmosphere between dives.

Dive & Snorkel Experience

Suitable for both certified divers and snorkellers.

Explore thriving coral reefs filled with:

• Reef sharks
• Rays
• Sea turtles
• Giant clams
• Octopus
• Clownfish
• Large schools of tropical fish
• Colourful hard and soft corals

Citizen Science Experience

• Meet researchers from the Minke Whale Project.
• Attend informative presentations each day.
• Contribute to ongoing whale conservation research.

Optional PADI Minke Whale Awareness Specialty

Enhance your expedition by completing this unique specialty course, covering:

• Dwarf Minke Whale biology
• Identification techniques
• Behaviour and migration
• Conservation challenges
• Responsible whale interaction guidelines
• Knowledge development
• Two open water training dives

Available for $189 and can be added during booking.

Expedition Itinerary

Day 1 – Cairns to the Outer Great Barrier Reef

After checking in at Divers Den or directly aboard OceanQuest (confirmation provided prior to departure), travel to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Complete two dives at either Saxon Reef or Norman Reef, followed by an afternoon dive and an exciting night dive before cruising overnight to the Ribbon Reefs.

Day 2 – Steve's Bommie

Wake to sunrise over the Ribbon Reefs and spend the day diving one of the region's most famous sites, Steve's Bommie. This renowned location is home to reef sharks, rays, turtles, octopus, clownfish and enormous schools of fish.

Today's itinerary includes:

Two dives at Steve's Bommie
One additional daytime dive
One night dive

Day 3 – Lighthouse Bommie & Minke Whales

Spend the day exploring the Ribbon Reefs with four dives, including two morning dives at Lighthouse Bommie, the site where many Dwarf Minke Whale encounters occur.

The day includes:

Two morning dives
One afternoon dive
One night dive

Between dives, snorkellers and divers have multiple opportunities to interact with curious Minke Whales if conditions allow.

Day 4 – Remote Ribbon Reefs

Continue exploring lesser-visited Ribbon Reef dive sites across four dives:

Two morning dives
One afternoon dive
One night dive

These pristine reefs are known for outstanding coral health, abundant marine life and excellent visibility. After the evening dive, OceanQuest begins the overnight journey back towards Cairns.

Day 5 – Return to Cairns

Enjoy breakfast onboard before arriving back in Cairns. Transfers to Cairns city accommodation depart at approximately 9:00 am, allowing time to continue your Far North Queensland holiday.

Please note itineraries and dive locations may change due to weather, sea conditions and whale activity. The schedule is designed to maximise safe opportunities for in-water Dwarf Minke Whale interactions throughout the expedition.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

Check in is at 7:30am at the operator's office located in Cairns city - address will be confirmed at time of booking 

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• The Great Barrier Reef Ribbon Reefs

Months of Operation

June - July

Days of Operation

Friday

2027 Departure Dates: 11th & 25th June, 2nd of July - Only 3 departures!

Duration

4 days & 4 nights

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Scuba equipment hire: $250
• Digital camera hire
• Nitrox fills   
• Soft drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snacks (choc/chips)
• Quality souvenirs
• PADI Minke Whale Awareness Specialty
• PADI Advanced Open Water course
• PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Dive Course - must be a certified diver

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

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

• All guests must be able to read and write English or travel with an interpreter
• Whales encounters are regular and initiated by the whales themselves. We don't find the whales, the Dwarf Minke whales find us. Our Great Barrier Reef tours have achieved a success rate of up to 90% with an average whale interaction of 2 hours.
• Currently the rules state that for a single no decompression dive, you should not fly/go to altitude for at least 12 hours, or 18 hours after multiple dives. Divers Den recommends waiting a minimum 24 hours whenever possible. These are guidelines only, there is no guarantee that these recommendations will prevent decompression sickness. There are no current guidelines regarding diving after flying. Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. This includes going to the Atherton Tablelands (a popular local scenic attraction), so be careful if booking tours to follow your dive trip. Under normal circumstances, you should be out of the water on your last dive at 8pm the night before you return to Cairns.
• We require all Certified Divers to present a valid Certification Card. Failure to show a Certification Card may result in the customer not being able to dive on the tour. This includes but is not limited to dive equipment that varies from standard and any specialty cards needed such as Full Face Mask Distinctive Specialty or Nitrox.

• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimsuit and towel
• Overnight bag with changes of clothing, including warm clothing and socks for overnight wear
• Toiletries
• Cert card and logbook (for certified divers)
• Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Excess baggage can be stored at our Draper Street office at check in.

• Children 4 to 18 are welcome, however MUST be accompanied/supervised by a parent or guardian at all time.
• Children travel at adult price.
• Certified divers age 10 & 11 must be with a parent, guardian or PRIVATE GUIDE.
• Certified divers age 12 to 14 must be with a parent, guardian or SHARED GUIDE.
• Please note children over 12 with open water diving certifications are restricted in regards to how deep they can dive therefore will not be able to partake in all dives.
• Open Water Courses: minimum age is 12 to participate in a PADI Open Water Course. Any person under the age of 18 must have the relevant liability forms signed by a parent or guardian.
• We are unable to supply dive gear in childrens sizes.