For a limited time each year during late May and early August, Minke whales congregate in the northern ribbon reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. During this period we run special three day three night Minke whale liveaboard trips, travelling to these Minke whale hotspots on the ribbon reefs and providing that next level of marine life encounter for both divers and snorkellers.

2023 Departure Dates - Tuesdays only

The Great Barrier Reef is renowned as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and is a declared World Heritage site.

It encompasses 350,000 square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean, extends for 2,000 kilometres, and is made up of 2,900 individual reefs and 71 coral cays. Its ecosystem supports the greatest concentration of life on the planet including 1,500 species of fish, 350 different kinds of coral, 4,000 species of molluscs and 10,000 species of sponges. Water temperatures range from 22C to 30C allowing comfortable diving all year round.

 

About the minke
The dwarf minke whale is the smallest baleen whale - growing up to 8 metres long with adults weighing in at 5-6 tonnes! With a code of practice in place for a safe encounter, it’s actually the naturally inquisitive minkes that decide how close they interact and swim with us. While encounters are never guaranteed, the selected reef sites provide the greatest opportunities. 

 

Trip Itinerary

Night Before Departure

If you have time we suggest you drop into our retail shop, located on the corner of Shields & Grafton Streets, where you can arrange your dive equipment for the trip (monday - saturday 12.00 - 6.00pm).

Day 1: Diving The Outer Great Barrier Reef

5:45am - Complimentary hotel transfer - available from Cairns City & Northern Beaches accommodation
6:15am - Check in at our retail shop - corner Shields & Grafton Streets
7:00am - A Light Breakfast is served. Depart Cairns for 3 days & 3 nights of fantastic diving/snorkelling on your Minke adventure.
11:30am - Your first dive is before lunch. This dive will be offered as a guided dive with an instructor, for those divers who have not dived in a little while
1.30pm - Lunch is served - hearty soup with an array of fresh salads, cold meats & bread rolls
2:30pm - Your first dive - head off & discover the underwater delights of Agincourt reef.
5:00pm - Dinner - the menu changes each trip however it will be wholesome, hot & of course lots of it!
7:00pm - The night dive! We generally try to do the night dive at the same site as the afternoon dive, as this way you are familiar with your surroundings. Keep a close eye out for our sleeping turtles, crustaceans & the occasional reef shark!
8:30pm - Dessert is served!

Day 2: Experience More Fantastic Diving On The Northern Great Barrier Reef

06:00 The vessel arrives and Ribbon reef number 10 for an early morning dive. This is a great opportunity for a Minke whale encounter.
09:00 Enjoy a hearty breakfast of cereal, fresh fruit, bacon and eggs, toast and spreads.
11:15 After breakfast the vessel will remain at Ribbon reef number 10 for another dive and further opportunities for Minke whale encounters.
12:45 Lunch on the second day is hot meal with a variety of fresh salads.
15:30 After lunch it’s time to move the vessel to another Ribbon reef location for your 3rd dive of the day.
17:45 Enjoy a hot dinner before your second night dive.
19:30 Night dive!
20:30 Dessert is served as you depart southward to Ribbon Reef Number 3.

Day 3: Experience More Fantastic Diving On The Ribbon Reefs

7:30 Your first dive of the day – a sunrise dive at Steve’s Bommie, to enjoy the reef waking up.

9:00 A hot breakfast accompanied with fresh fruit salad, cereals and toast.

10:30 After breakfast, continue to explore the wonders of Ribbon reef number 3, for the second dive of the day.

12:00 Lunch is served. Another hot meal with a variety of fresh salads.

14:00 Dive 3: the vessel will move to take you to another site on Ribbon reef number 3.

16:30 The final dive of the trip and your last opportunity for a Minke whale encounter before the sun sets.

18:30 Enjoy a hot dinner, dessert and share your adventure with other customers and staff before your overnight steam back to Cairns.

Day 4: Morning Dives And Return To Cairns

08:00 The staff will wake you for a light breakfast before returning to Cairns Marlin Marina.

09:00 Complimentary accommodation transfers – Cairns City and Northern Beaches.

19:30 Join fellow customers and crew at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner (optional).

Please note, the above itinerary is a guide only, and the order of sites may change. The captain will always adapt the itinerary to the prevailing weather, tides and currents.

Meals may vary slightly depending on availability of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Please advise if you are a vegetarian and we will do our best to make sure we cater for you.