Best Cairns Liveaboard Trips: Your 2025 Guide to Diving the Great Barrier Reef
If you’re serious about exploring the Great Barrier Reef, there’s no better way than a Cairns liveaboard dive trip. Unlike day tours, liveaboards let you wake up on the reef, dive remote sites, and experience sunrise, sunset, and night dives—all without rushing back to shore.
This guide dives into the best Cairns liveaboard trips for 2025, with options for beginners, certified divers, and underwater enthusiasts who want the ultimate reef adventure.
Why Choose a Liveaboard in Cairns?
- Access to remote sites – Liveaboards visit pristine reefs beyond the reach of day boats.
- Multiple dives per day – Some tours offer up to 11 dives over 3 days, including night dives.
- Unforgettable moments – Imagine stargazing on deck or seeing reef sharks on a night dive.
- More relaxed schedule – No rushing back to the marina—your home is on the reef.
Best Cairns Liveaboard Trips for 2025
1. OceanQuest Liveaboard Diving
- Highlights: Daily departures offering unlimited nights staying on the Great Barrier Reef. Up to 4 dives, including a night dive per day with unlimited snorkelling. Perfect vessel for both certified divers and beginners looking to completing their PADI Open Water Certification through to Dive Master.
- Why we love it: Very comfortable cabins all with ensuites, large lounge areas and sun deck sections, professional crew, and reef locations like Norman and Saxon reefs.
- Book it: OceanQuest Liveaboard – Cairns
2. Reef Encounter Overnight Liveaboard
- Highlights: Flexible stay options (1 or more nights) with diving, learn to dive courses or simply snorkelling. VIP “Top Deck Club” upgrade available for a private guide and deluxe extras. Offers guests the opportunity to extend their adventure on the Great Barrier Reef by enrolling in their Volunteering Program.
- Why we love it: Perfect mix of comfort and adventure. Great for couples, families or small groups.
- Book it: Reef Encounter Liveaboard
3. ScubaPro 3-Day, 2-Night Adventure
- Highlights: Up to 11 dives, including 2 night dives, across Flynn, Milln, and Pellowe reefs.
- Why we love it: A legendary operator, ideal for certified divers who want maximum underwater time and progress their dive education.
- Book it: Scubapro Cairns Liveaboard
4. Coral Sea Dreaming Unforgettable overnight adventures
- Highlights: Up to 6 dives, including 1 night dives, across Flynn and Milln Reefs.
- Why we love it: Perfect mix of comfort and adventure. Great for couples or small groups short on time.
- Book it: Coral Sea Dreaming
5. Rum Runner Cairns – Budget conscience Overnight trips
- Highlights: Up to 6 dives, including 1 night dives at Milln Reef.
- Why we love it: Perfect adventure if travelling on a budget. Great for youth and adventurous at heart who are short on time.
- Book it: Rum Runner Cairns
6. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions – Spoilsport
- Highlights: Iconic expeditions to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Coral Sea and Far Northern Reefs with opportunities to see dwarf minke whales (June–July).
- Why we love it: Premium experience with big marine life encounters.
- Book it: Mike Ball Spoilsport – Cairns
7. Spirit of Freedom Liveaboard
- Highlights: 3- to 7-day adventures with dives at the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, and Osprey Reef. Far Northern Reef Expeditions also a highlight.
- Why we love it: Luxurious cabins, gourmet meals, and top-notch diving.
- Book it: Spirit of Freedom – Cairns
Which Liveaboard Is Right for You?
- Beginners & Families: OceanQuest or Reef Encounter.
- Certified Divers/Dive Courses: Pro Dive Cairns, OceanQuest or Reef Encounter.
- Luxury Seekers: Spirit of Freedom. Mike Ball Expeditions, Reef Encounter’s Top Deck Club or Coral Sea Dreaming.
- Budget Conscience: Rum Runner Cairns
2025 Tips for Liveaboard Diving in Cairns
- Book early – Good diving all year round though peak season (June–January) sells out fast.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen – Protect the coral while you dive.
- Pack light – Boats have limited storage space.
- Check your certification – Ensure your PADI/SSI logbook is up to date.
- Buy travel insurance – make sure your policy covers you for scuba diving activity and cancellations
Why Book Your Liveaboard with Dive In Australia?
We’ve handpicked the best liveaboard tours in Cairns so you don’t have to guess which ones are worth it. We offer:
- Real-time availability and secure bookings
- Best price guarantee
- Eco-certified operators
- Insider tips from local experienced divers
Explore all Cairns liveaboard tours here.
