There’s no better place to get a taste of the thrill of diving than at the outer Great Barrier Reef on board our liveaboard vessel OceanQuest. Set off on an overnight cruise from Cairns and try scuba diving with our expert team, surrounded by some of the world’s most incredible marine life.
On a liveaboard dive trip you’ll have extra time to enjoy the experience of diving for the first time. Our friendly crew will take you through your briefings and teach you everything you need to know, then guide you through your first dive at one of our colourful dive and snorkel sites around the Saxon, Norman or Hastings Reefs.
You’ll be in good hands with our professional team, entering the water with a maximum of four divers to one instructor. Once you’re feeling comfortable breathing underwater, you’ll learn how to descend safely to 12 metres (40 feet) and discover a whole new underwater world.
You can pre-book a package of two intro dives on OceanQuest. Subject to availability and trip duration, you may be able to add more dives once you’re on board.
In between dives and snorkel sessions, fuel up with delicious and plentiful meals served by our chef. Relax on board in the lounge or bar, or try our unique Sharks in the Dark activity and experience night on the reef. Then drift off to sleep in your air-conditioned cabin with en suite and TV, ready to do it all again in the morning.
Keen to become a certified diver? Check out our PADI Open Water dive courses with a range of liveaboard options.
Includes all equipment and tuition. Intro dive participants must be 12 years or older. Prices valid to 31st March 2026. Extra charges apply for sole occupancy. Locals discount not valid for optional extras. Price is per person and inclusive of GST and all fees, including the GBRMPA environmental management charge (EMC) which contributes directly to the management of the Marine Park. Learn more at gbrmpa.gov.au
7.30am-8am: Pick up from your city accommodation (if booked) and check in at our dive centre at 319 Draper Street, before transferring to the marina
8.30am: Set off from Cairns Marina on board AquaQuest, our fast and modern day trip boat, for a 90 minute cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef. Select your equipment and receive in depth safety briefings along the way.
10am: Arrive at the reef for your first intro dive
12pm: Enjoy lunch while we move to our second dive site
12:30pm: Second dive/snorkel opportunity
10am: Arrive at the reef for your first dive
12pm: Enjoy lunch while we move to our second dive site
12:30pm: Second dive or snorkel opportunity
2.30pm: Transfer to OceanQuest and settle into your cabin.
3.30pm: Third dive/snorkel session
6pm: Dinner is served
6.30pm: If you’re keen for more fun in the water, try our exclusive Sharks in the Dark experience! Grab a snorkel and lie on the duckboard while reef sharks circle the boat.
8pm: Dessert
10pm: Bar closes
7.30am: Breakfast time! Sit down to a full cooked breakfast to fuel you for the day ahead.
8.30am: Dive or snorkel session
10.30am: Dive or snorkel session
12pm: Check out of your cabin
12.30pm: Lunch
2.30pm: Our transfer vessel arrives to return you to Cairns
3pm: Depart Outer Barrier Reef
5pm (approx): Return to your Cairns accommodation
Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Excess baggage can be stored at our Draper Street office at check in.
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“We wish we could’ve stayed one more night on the overnight liveaboard. The staff were really friendly and made it super enjoyable. Tobi was a great instructor – he ensured we were safe but also independent. I got my open water cert thanks to his good training. The rooms and food were great. I look forward to making it back one day.”
– Jessica
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“Went on a 4 day liveaboard on Ocean Quest and enjoyed every moment of it. It was like a floating hotel with very friendly, helpful staff. The reef is spectacular and the diving experiences on this boat were really well managed. I’m not the most experienced diver, but they always made me feel safe, both in and out of the water.”
All introductory scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements and some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving. These requirements can be found on our Can I Dive? page, and we strongly recommend reviewing before booking.
Queensland’s code of practice on diving states that for a single no decompression dive, you should not fly/go to altitude for at least 12 hours, or 24 hours if divers have had multiple dives per day for several consecutive days, or have made dives that require decompression stops.
Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. This includes going to the Atherton Tablelands (a popular local scenic attraction), so please be aware if booking tours to follow your dive trip. Under normal circumstances, you should be out of the water from your last dive of the day at 12 noon.
You can reschedule or cancel your trip any time up to 48 hours before departure with no penalty. Read our terms and conditions.
