Trip Overview

Coral Sea Dreaming offers a first class sailing liveaboard overnight experience to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. With three trips scheduled departing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday expect an adventurous two days of snorkelling and scuba diving while still plenty of time to relax, unwind and recharge your body.

Coral Sea Dreaming holds exclusive rights to numerous dive and snorkel sites, granting them the ability to select prime locations according to the day’s ocean conditions.

This, in turn, allows you to immerse yourself in a remarkable variety of marine life on pristine outer reefs such as Milln, Thetford, Flynn, Hastings, and other secluded destinations.

Whether you seek the thrill of up to five certified dives, the experience of an introductory scuba dive, or simply the opportunity to relax, the options are abundant. With a capacity limited to only 12 passengers and 3 crew members, you are ensured unprecedented and individualized attention. The seasoned and amiable crew dedicates themselves to your comfort and well-being, crafting an experience that turns your time onboard into a peerless adventure designed for a privileged few.

+

+

+

+

The Vessel

Coral Sea Dreaming is a 18-meter (60′) steel ketch, boasts an exquisite wooden interior. Moreover, the vessel is not only spacious but also comfortable as well as equipped with a dive compressor, ensuring unlimited tank refills and providing a broader spectrum of flexible diving opportunities. Additionally, its lavish and modern day facilities make it the ultimate vessel for your overnight Great Barrier Reef getaway.

Highlights

• Cairns overnight premium liveaboard sail, snorkel & dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef
• Selection of 30 exclusive moorings on 9 different reefs
• Departures (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
• Offers snorkelling, introductory and certified diving
• Certified Divers should expect to do 4-6 dives (4-5 day dives and a night dive)
• Small numbers (max 12 guests)
• Amazing dive locations
• Private cabins
• Maximum of 12 passengers
• Delicious homemade meals prepared onboard

+

+

+

+

What to bring

A small overnight bag only (soft backpacks or similar & without wheels are best if possible). Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Hat and Swimwear, Beach Towel, Camera, Long pants and jumper for colder months, Cert card/logbook for certified divers. Alcohol is BYO – no glass bottles, please (i.e. cans of beer and/or small casks of wine). The vessel is limited for extra storage & refrigerator space, so limited quantities are appreciated.

Diving Details

Having the pleasure of travelling out on Coral Sea Dreaming and diving their reef sites many times I can say with confidence this trip exceeds all expectations and will satisfy all levels of diving experience.  Dive Tender drops are offered to confident divers making for adventurous and rewarding dives.  Expect to dive deep pinnacles, swim-throughs, drift dives and coral gardens.

Coral Sea Dreaming are one of only 2 companies licenced in Australia to offer introductory night diving! This is a unique opportunity for guests and a great selling tool!

Departures: Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays

Marlin Marina, Finger A (berth 2)

No transfers provided – Customers must make their own way to the vessel

The best part of this 2 Day 1 Night liveaboard dive trip is that although the skipper has a plan in mind where to take over the next two days it is fully up to the winds, divers experience and interests.  In other words be prepared for two really exciting days of scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef and while onboard this classic yacht your time is yours to do whatever you like. No hard and fast schedule, just enjoy yourself.  This is one trip I would do again and again and again!

Day One

• Board Coral Sea Dreaming at 7:45am, Berth 3, Finger A, Marlin Marina Cairns for morning tea and meet & greet.
• 8am set sail to Cairns outermost reefs.
• Along the way we conduct introductory and certified dive briefing and a marine naturalist brief. There is plenty of time for passengers to mingle, relax and get to know each other.
• At around 12PM we arrive at the reef. We will often aim for either Flynn or Milln Reef on the Outer Great Barrier Reef though locations visited always depend on the weather.
• We love these sites for their fabulous visibility and diverse marine life. Depths range from 1 to 30 meters giving both snorkelers and divers a wide range of options depending on their experience.
• You’ll experience extensive coral gardens with an unbelievable amount of marine life. Expect to encounter turtles, reef sharks and schools of pelagic fish.
• Our in-water activities are followed by a delicious lunch prepared on-board by the crew.
• After lunch the vessel will move to a second location at Flynn or Milln Reef (weather-dependent). Here, large coral bommies sit alongside a reef wall making diving and snorkelling truly spectacular. Dive to 18 meters or snorkel the shallow reef flats.
• After the second dive, a cheese plate is served while the guests rest from in-water activities. Time for some relaxation and mingling with other guests if desired.
• Meanwhile the crew freshly prepares a simple but delicious and satisfying dinner (examples are various curries, stir-fry, gnocchi, Mexican-style burritos…).
• Dinner is served, while the crew prepares the gear for the night dive.
• After dinner, the divers are briefed for the night dive, which typically starts around 7-7.30, after sunset.
• Once the night dive is completed, it’s time for more relaxing – and perhaps a tea, hot chocolate or a glass of wine or beer from the on-board bar, along with some tall tales from the sea.

Day Two

• Awake at dawn and watch the sun rise over the Coral Sea. Throw yourself into the warm tropical water and wake yourself up! This is the perfect time to dive or snorkel as early morning is a fantastic time to see reef sharks, turtles, and cruising pelagic fish. Breakfast is served.
• Boat departs to its next location – often to “The Whale” dive site. This large coral bommie stands in 24 meters of water with excellent surrounding coral gardens, perfect for diving and snorkelling, close to the boat. It is also a great dive to see the reef sharks. Morning tea is served.
• After mid-morning, the boat travels to the final dive location, for example the Thetford reef. Coral-draped walls rise from 18 meters in a circular lagoon to ensure great diving and snorkelling.
• This is also an excellent time to catch up on some serious sun tanning or relax, read a book, or take in the stunning views.
• Lunch is served before departure.
• Upon leaving our anchorage we hoist the sails. It is common to have dolphins surf the bow wave and during the winter months see humpback whales breaching.
• On the journey home, it is time to relax and enjoy the company of your new friends. Finally, as we leave behind the wonders of the reef, passengers are treated to a spectacular view as we approach one of Australia’s most scenic harbours – mountains on the left and right rising high above a beautiful tropical city skyline.

Please note:
While we have tried to describe a typical trip, our itinerary is reflective of weather conditions at the time. As we have access to over 25 exclusive moorings at 9 reef systems, we will always seek the best option given the weather conditions to ensure guests enjoy the best possible locations on the day and are comfortable
and safe. Therefore, times and locations visited may vary.