2-Day Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Liveaboard from Cairns

About This Experience

Coral Sea Dreaming Dive and Sail runs this two-day, one-night trip from the Cairns waterfront on its own 16-metre boat. The listing caps it at 12 guests, and reviewers describe groups of ten or so. The boat is air-conditioned, with fresh linen, a bath towel, a hot shower and two shared toilets.

Once you leave Cairns the crew choose from 25 moorings across nine reefs, including Flynn and Milln reefs, depending on the weather. Snorkelling is unlimited, with masks, fins, stinger suits and flotation jackets supplied, and a snorkel guide on hand. The listing gives no fixed timetable, so the day runs around the conditions and the group.

The booking price covers snorkelling only. Scuba is sold on board: certified divers pay per dive or for a bundle of dives, and first-timers can take an introductory dive after a free short trial. Every dive is guided. Certified divers can also join a night dive to see the reef creatures that come out after dark. After dinner the boat stays out overnight, and the second morning often starts with an early swim or dive at sunrise.

Meals are home-cooked on board, and snacks, tropical fruit, water, and coffee, tea and juice at breakfast are included. Alcohol is sold on board. Reviewers talk about the relaxed feel, the food and patient crew who help nervous swimmers, and several mention turtles, reef sharks and giant clams, though no sighting is promised.

It suits confident swimmers, new divers who want to try scuba in a small group, and certified divers after more water time than a day boat allows. Non-swimmers, children under four and people with heart, breathing or mobility problems should not book. Pack swimwear, toiletries, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses and warm clothes for the evening, and bring a card for anything you buy on board.

Highlights

• Spend a night on the reef on a 16-metre boat that takes no more than 12 guests
• Choose from 25 moorings across nine reefs, including Flynn and Milln reefs
• Snorkel as much as you like, with guides and flotation jackets available
• Try an introductory scuba dive, or join a night dive if you are certified
• Wake up on the reef for an early-morning swim at sunrise
• Home-cooked meals on board between sessions in the water

What's Included

• ✓ Full snorkel equipment with wetsuit or stinger suit and flotation jacket
• ✓ Unlimited snorkelling, with snorkel guides available
• ✓ Meals and snacks, plus coffee, tea and juice at breakfast
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Fresh linen, a bath towel and a shared hot shower and toilets
• ✓ A dive guide or instructor on every dive, and a luggage locker

Not Included

• Scuba diving of any kind, paid on board (certified dives, introductory dives and courses)
• Camera hire
• Alcohol, sold on board
• Merchandise

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Toiletries
• Weather-appropriate clothing, including a warm layer for the evening
• Credit card for on-board purchases

Good to Know & Caveats

• The booking price covers snorkelling only. All diving is paid on board.
• The minimum age for scuba diving is 12.
• Every guest completes a medical questionnaire on board. Conditions such as asthma, heart disease or epilepsy may rule out diving.
• The trip needs a moderate level of fitness, and the crew can refuse boarding to anyone unable to move safely around the boat unaided.
• The trip depends on the weather. Sites can change, and if the operator cancels you get a full refund.
• Stinger suits are supplied and are recommended in stinger season, roughly November to May.

Meeting Point

Meet the Coral Sea Dreaming crew at the Cairns waterfront by the Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street; your confirmation gives the exact berth and boarding time.