A great Budget Dive Expedition providing Cairns' most affordable Outer Reef Liveaboard dive and snorkel overnight reef tour.
This vessel offers the very best Liveaboard dive and snorkel deals to both Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Dive, snorkel and sail away with us on trips of 2 Day / 1 Night duration depart from Cairns to Australia’s top attraction - The Great Barrier Reef, to the outer reefs that we visit, with still abundant healthy tropical reefs, rich with marine biodiversity.
- Small group tours with only a maximum of 16 divers and snorkelers per trip
- Depart and return on the same vessel with the same group, so by the end you will be a friend not just a number
- Fabulous meals prepared fresh on-board. Vegetarian always catered for. Vessel re-stocked each trip
- Have been in operation since 2005 and working the local area for over 20 years
- High standards of safety by Worksafe Qld. (100% safety record)
- PADI scuba diving courses from Introductory Diving, Open Water Certification through to Advanced Diver Courses are all available
The Trip
Day 1: Cairns to Outer Reef. Passengers meet at the vessel ( Marlin Marina, E finger, Berth 3) by 7.00 am for an approximate 7.30 am departure. Passengers are briefed as to the itinerary and safety aspects of the trip and boat, and the dive equipment is organized, making it ready for your arrival at the Reef. Passengers are welcome to join in, grab a line and hoist a sail alongside the crew.
From 11.00 am : Arrive at Thetford Reef. 4 dives and snorkeling sessions. Arriving at Thetford Reef the Dive Instructor will brief everyone on general dive safety and details of the first dive site. Diving will be tailored to suit individual experience levels. If anyone is a bit rusty one of the crew will accompany him or her on their first dive if they wish, guided dives can be arranged if required. It is time for some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world; Sites include The Labyrinth, the Lagoon, Hurricane Bay, Coral Gardens ; from shallow coral gardens, isolated pinnacles to caverns, swim through's and spectacular walls.
Dinner is served as you watch the sun setting over the mountains behind Cairns. Guests can relax, have a few social drinks and get to know each other as the certified divers get ready for the night dive. Evenings are a relaxed affair, with just a chat and a few drinks on deck while at anchor in the calm water of the company's protected night moorings. In calm clear weather, the stars over the Great Barrier Reef are an awesome sight.
Day 2 mornings: 2 dives and snorkel sessions are on offer. An invigorating morning dive and snorkel, before a hearty breakfast sees the start to a day of diving & exploring. Last dive includes swim-through's and caverns, then a quick lunch break before heading off before noon.
Now before departing the Reef for a sail to the tropical city of Cairns, finish the trip with a couple of drinks going over the photos and videos with your fellow divers and snorkelers.
Day 2 afternoon: Return to Cairns. As you sail back through the Barrier Reef, you can watch out for dolphins or whales, and see Queensland's tallest mountains. just gorgeous, or you can just relax on deck until you feel like getting up, laying around while the boat sails back into Cairns. Arrive at Cairns at 3.00 pm . Later in the evening meet with your new friends and fellow divers for a night out in Cairns.
FOR THE SNORKELER...
Depth’s to the top of the reef range from less than a meter to 2 - 3m on the high tides. That’s perfect for snorkeling. This tour caters very well for swimmers and non-swimmers, those who have not dived and what to give it a go, and to all wanting to tick off the bucket list of having snorkeled and scuba-dive the Great Barrier Reef.
A Snorkel and Introductory Dive Briefing is given during the journey out and we are ready to snorkel or dive by the time we arrive at our first Site. All you need to do is grab your gear and jump into the water to see the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
FOR THE CERTIFIED DIVER...
This tour caters very well for those straight off their "open water" course, those who have not dived for a while, and also to divers with more experience, and to all wanting to tick off the bucket list of having scuba -dive the Great Barrier Reef. Our schedule allows for 6 certified dives including a Night Dive.
A Full Dive Briefing and refresher are given during the journey out and we are ready to dive by the time we arrive at our first Site. Divers are all in buddy pairs and can follow our Dive Leader to allow more time to relax and focus on the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, or those with more experience can buddy dive off without a guide.
The Boat
She is a 20m Motor Sailing Schooner, built in 1984, and with a nearly indestructible fiberglass hull. The boat will accommodate up to 16 guests in twin bunk and 4-share bunk cabins.
As typical with sailboats, the cabins are not spacious or very private; they are for resting and sleeping. The common areas include a open saloon area and galley inside and both covered and open outside decks. 12V dc and 240V ac for charging cameras, Hot water and with separate Male and Female Toilet - Shower Cabinet.
Overall, she is a comfortable sailboat, well suited for the adventurous. It is by no means a luxury dive boat. Those seeking pure sailing, privacy and luxury should really consider elsewhere and pay the difference.
Private Charters
We are available for private charter from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef for most of the year, and can be chartered for a multitude of activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling the reef, whale watching, coral spawning adventures, island hopping and visiting sand cays.
Our private charter can cater for both day charters or extended overnight charters and each tour can cater for a specific number dependent on the private charter requirements. It is always best to enquire about your private charter in advance to ensure the vessel is available and we can cater for your specific requirements. Any of our tours and up to 5 day/ 5 nights are available for private charter of groups up to 16.