3 Day / 2 Night Liveaboard Snorkel & Dive
Experience an overnight liveaboard on OceanQuest from Cairns with snorkelling, introductory, or certified scuba diving on the outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting Saxon, Norman, and selected Hastings Reef sites.
Key Highlights
- Liveaboard adventure on OceanQuest from Cairns
- Snorkel, introductory, and certified scuba diving options
- Explore Saxon, Norman, and selected Hastings Reef sites
- Spacious dive deck, large sundecks, and comfortable cabins with en-suites
- Fresh meals prepared by the onboard chef
- Unique night dives, including Fluoro Diving for certified divers
What’s included
- Accommodation in air-conditioned twin cabin with en-suite
- Access to all dive and snorkel sites during the stay
- Use of spacious dive deck and sundecks
- Hot, fresh water showers onboard
- All meals freshly prepared by an onboard chef
- Lounge and bar facilities
Overview
Enjoy an overnight liveaboard adventure on the OceanQuest, exploring the vibrant outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Saxon, Norman, and selected Hastings Reef sites with snorkelling, introductory, and certified scuba diving options available.
Your stay features comfortable air-conditioned twin cabins with private en-suites, spacious communal areas including a lounge and bar, and hot, fresh water showers. Large open sundecks provide the perfect place to relax between dives.
All meals onboard are freshly prepared by a dedicated chef, with hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners served daily, plus desserts to enjoy after a day of aquatic adventure.
For further underwater excitement, take part in unique night dives such as Fluoro Diving (available for certified divers). This overnight experience is also an excellent opportunity for snorkellers and divers of all levels to develop or enhance their skills with expert dive instructors on hand.
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.