Minke Departure Dates 2025
- Friday 6th June
- Friday 13th June
- Friday 20th June
- Friday 27th June
| | - any other dates please enquire
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Dwarf Minke whale diving trips from Cairns are a highlight of the scuba diving calendar, and one that can only be experienced at the Great Barrier Reef. Amazing encounters with these inquisitive whales happen at the peak of their migration every June and July. This is when the whales move from Antarctic waters up to the Ribbon Reefs. This renowned Great Barrier Reef dive location is only accessible on an overnight trip.
We operate four-day, four-night Minke whale expeditions every year during June and July. Spaces are limited and trips sell out quickly! Expeditions are open to both snorkellers and divers, with whale interactions strictly controlled. Dwarf Minke whales grow up to 8 metres (26 feet) long, and a closeup encounter with these majestic 6-tonne creatures is an experience you will never forget.
Minkes often approach snorkellers, divers and boats, so there is every chance to see them close up. Our success rate for close sightings during a Minke whale dive over the peak season is over 90%, and your interaction with the whales could last two hours or more! After your encounter, join us in participating in vital citizen science research to help understand and protect these gentle sea giants.
Day 1
Your journey starts here! Check in at 7.30am to board our transfer vessel. We’ll make our way to the Outer Barrier Reef and enjoy two dives at either Saxon or Norman Reef, before transferring to your liveaboard vessel at approximately 2.30pm. You’ll enjoy one afternoon dive and one night dive before we steam to the Ribbon Reefs overnight.
Day 2
Wake up to the sun rising over the Great Barrier Reef at Steve’s Bommie, one of the best dive sites on the reef thanks to its huge array of marine life including schools of fish, sharks, rays, nemos, octopus and more. You will enjoy four dives today, two at Steve’s Bommie and two others (including one night dive) at various other sites on the upper Ribbon Reefs.
Day 3
We kick the weekend off with more diving and snorkelling opportunities throughout the Ribbon Reefs, giving you the opportunity to explore some of the Great Barrier Reef’s most untouched areas. Four dives are included in today’s itinerary. Your two morning dives will be at Lighthouse Bommie, where most of our interactions with Minke whales take place. You’ll also have an an afternoon dive and another night dive.
Day 4
Explore more of the Great Barrier Reef at various dive sites along the Ribbon Reefs over four incredible dives – two in the morning, one in the afternoon and one night dive. The reef locations that we visit are less frequented by any other boats, and are home to many tropical fish species and bright mesmerising coral. After your night dive (finishing around 8pm) we will steam south towards Cairns.
Day 5
Wake up to your last morning on the reef. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to your Cairns city accommodation at approximately 9am, so you’ll be able to plan other activities on this day.
Please note itinerary may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. Our dive schedule will be adjusted to enable as much in-water interaction with the Minke whales as possible.
Accommodation
All Cabins feature ensuite facilities.
This modern liveaboard vessel is a 30 metre monohull steel vessel which was specially rebuilt for extended liveaboard dive travel. She is fully air conditioned and offers all the comforts you could hope for after a hard days diving. All accommodation is in twin or double cabins. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 regulations any single or solo travellers will need to book "sole use" of a twin cabin.
