2 Day / 1 Night Liveaboard Snorkel & Dive
Enjoy an overnight Great Barrier Reef liveaboard adventure from Cairns aboard OceanQuest, with snorkelling at Saxon, Norman, and Hastings reefs, comfortable twin cabins, and all meals included.
Key Highlights
- Stay overnight on OceanQuest, a 35m catamaran purpose-built for diving
- Explore colourful dive and snorkel sites at Saxon, Norman, and Hastings reefs
- Enjoy snorkelling, introductory, and certified dive options including unique Fluoro Night Diving
- Relax in air-conditioned cabins with en-suites, lounge, and bar
- All meals prepared onboard by a chef
What’s included
- Overnight accommodation onboard OceanQuest
- Snorkelling equipment and opportunities
- Air-conditioned cabins with private en-suite
- Lounge and bar facilities
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner with desserts
- Access to dive options (introductory and certified dives available for purchase on board)
Overview
Experience the ultimate overnight Great Barrier Reef adventure on OceanQuest from Cairns. Spend your days and nights exploring premier dive and snorkel sites at Saxon, Norman, and Hastings reefs, with the opportunity to encounter diverse marine life and stunning coral formations.
Stay aboard the three-deck, 35m catamaran OceanQuest, designed for comfort with spacious dive decks, open sundecks, and air-conditioned twin cabins complete with private en-suites. After your time in the water, relax in the lounge and bar or take in panoramic reef views from the sundeck.
Choose from snorkelling, introductory diving (available for an additional fee), or certified dive experiences, including the unique option of Fluoro Night Diving for those with experience. A variety of reef sites and permanent moorings ensure options for all experience levels, morning to night.
Your stay includes freshly prepared meals by the onboard chef featuring hearty breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and treats. Complete or enhance dive training during your time, learning from expert dive instructors to make your liveaboard holiday unforgettable.
Commonly asked questions.
OceanQuest visits selected sites on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, including Norman Reef, Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef. The crew chooses the locations according to weather, visibility and sea conditions, giving guests access to a variety of coral gardens, bommies and reef walls.
Staying aboard OceanQuest gives you more time to experience the reef, with additional snorkelling and diving opportunities outside the usual day-trip schedule. You can explore the reef in different light conditions, enjoy evening activities and wake up surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef rather than returning to Cairns each afternoon.
Yes. OceanQuest caters for snorkellers, introductory divers and certified scuba divers, so people with different interests can travel together. Everyone can enjoy the reef, while those who choose to dive can participate in additional underwater activities appropriate to their experience and booking option.
The package includes onboard accommodation, meals, snorkelling, snorkelling equipment, and drinking water, tea and coffee. Diving packages also include the applicable scuba equipment and air fills. Transfers from selected Cairns CBD accommodation are available, subject to the operator's arrangements.
OceanQuest has air-conditioned cabins with private ensuite bathrooms. The vessel offers twin-share cabins and double cabins, making it suitable for couples, friends and solo travellers. Cabin allocation depends on the booking selected, and same-gender cabin sharing cannot be guaranteed.
All main meals are prepared onboard by the vessel's chef, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dessert and snacks also available. Tea, coffee and chilled drinking water are provided. Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and additional snacks are available to purchase separately.
Yes. Night diving is available for certified divers, subject to conditions and the scheduled activities. Exploring the reef after dark offers a different perspective, with nocturnal marine life becoming active. Divers who have not previously completed a night dive may need to use a dive guide at an additional cost.
Sharks in the dark is a unique after dar experience for anyone not doing a night dive. The crew lower the dive platform until it's just underwater, allowing passengers to lay on the platform and watch the sharks and other marine life attracted to the lights from an underwater perspective without leaving the boat.
Using specialised blue lighting and fluorescent viewing equipment, this experience reveals glowing colours in certain corals and marine organisms that are not normally visible under standard lighting. It is an unusual way to experience the reef after sunset, availability is limited and additional charges apply.
Yes. OceanQuest offers opportunities for eligible guests to undertake further practical dive training on the reef, including advanced diving courses on selected packages.
Diving packages include the applicable scuba equipment, tanks and air fills, while snorkelling equipment is included for snorkellers. Some optional extras, such as Nitrox fills, guided dives and underwater camera hire, will incur additional charges.
Transfers are available from selected Cairns CBD accommodation, making it easier to reach the dive centre and departure point.
Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, toiletries and comfortable clothing for relaxing onboard. Certified divers should bring their certification card and logbook if required. An underwater camera, spare batteries and charging equipment are also useful. Pack light, as cabin storage is limited compared with a hotel room.