Cairns Liveaboard Tours Ranked By Price
Keen on a seafaring couple of nights on the Great Barrier Reef? Dreaming of a scuba and snorkel spectacular? Overwhelmed by the options and don't know where to start? Fret not, my dear water babies. Welcome to our master list of liveaboard tours, where we rank boats on a scale of budget-friendly to bougie and deliver all of the need-to-know info directly to your screens.
Liveaboards are the best way to see the reef, providing ample time in the water and giving guests the rare opportunity to fall asleep on the reef. They're also fully catered, so you don't have to worry about what's for dinner or added complications of packing groceries. If you don't have time for an extended liveaboard, check out our article on the best overnight tours in Cairns! So, grab a glass of wine or a coldie and start planning your trip to the Great Barrier Reef, where a captivating underwater wonderland awaits ...
Cairns Liveaboard Tours Ranked by Price
Struggling to decide which Liveaboard Tour of the Great Barrier Reef might be right for you? We've taken it upon ourselves to help you 'sort by price' to hopefully make your difficult decision a little bit easier! Here are the top Cairns Liveaboard Tours ranked by price from lowest to highest.
Would you rather book a day tour to the Reef? Take a look at our top picks...
Reef Encounter 2 Day, 3 Day, 4 Day, or 5 Day
From $625, maximum capacity of 42
Reef Encounter’s Liveaboard Tour offers uests ample snorkelling and diving opportunities on the Great Barrier Reef - and at the best prices! Get comfortable on board their spacious catamaran hotel, then spend your days snorkelling, diving, and exploring this spectacular underwater playground. If you've never tried scuba diving before, do your introductory dive during this action-packed trip. For those already certified, explore the reef alongside an expert and even embark on a thrilling night dive! Keen to splash out a little more? Book a scenic helicopter tour over the Great Barrier Reef as your transfer to/from the liveaboard!
OceanQuest 2 Day, 3 Day, or 4 Day
From $700, maximum capacity of 48
Get great bang for your buck with Oceanquest’s three-day, two-night tour to the Outer Reef. Embark on heaps of dives (up to 6 on the 2D1N tour, or up to 11 on the 3D2N tour) or snorkels, and even a night dive for certified divers. For an additional cost, certified divers can see the reef in a different light with a fluoro dive, where divers are provided fluorescent underwater torches that take the vibrance of the reef to an ethereal level. With a maximum capacity for 48 fun-loving water babies, Oceanquest is a guaranteed good time where guests mingle and make friends in the downtime. Keen divers also have the option to complete a PADI course on Oceanquest.
Pro Dive 3 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard
From $900, maximum capacity of 32
Spend 3 days exploring the spectacular Great Barrier Reef on Pro Dive's immersive Outer Reef Liveaboard trip. Guests will leave no corner of the Reef unexplored, with space and time to participate in up to 11 snorkels or dives at 19 exclusive sites. This premium dive vessel can get to sites that are rarely visited by other vessels, giving you more access to the reefs. Divers and snorkellers get the opportunity to view magnificent hard and soft corals, giant clams, turtles, stingrays and the largest variety of tropical fish of all sizes.
Spirit of Freedom Cod Hole 3D3N
From $2355, maximum capacity of 26
All aboard Spirit of Freedom's 37-metre yacht to the Ribbon Reefs. The Ribbon Reefs are home to the world-famous Cod Hole, which in turn is home to the largest population of giant potato cod. These big friendly giants can grow up to two metres in length and weigh up to 100 kilos! And they welcome divers with open arms (fins?). Immerse yourself in their neighbourhood and get up close and personal with these big spotty fellas.
Cash in on up to 11 dives over the course of your tour, plus a night dive. This tour is recommended more for confident divers as some of the dive sites require a little more experience than the average reef. Kick back in your roomy cabins in your downtime or hit the sun deck to soak up the rays, chat with your fellow divers, and take in the panoramic views of the endless blue sea. Enjoy chef-prepared meals of the highest quality and have a nip of some premium Australian wine as you wind down from your big aquatic adventure.
Spirit Of Freedom | 3 Night Minke Whale & Ribbon Reef Trip
From $2355, maximum capacity of 26
Spend a breathtaking 3 days and 3 nights exploring Ribbon Reef and swimming with gorgeous Dwarf Minke Whales. Over the course of this exceptional liveaboard, enjoy a scenic flight over the Reef, delicious chef-prepared meals, comfortable accommodation, and up to 11 scuba dives (including night dives) or snorkels. Designed with scuba divers in mind, any passengers who are keen to stick to snorkelling receive a $200 discount on their trip!
This tour is strictly seasonal, and coincides with whale migration season in June and July. Get in touch with one of our friendly travel experts to find out when it's next available to book.
3 Day Fly And Dive Cod Hole | Mike Ball
From $2385, maximum capacity of 28
Make a splash in the Great Barrier Reef on a spectacular three day expedition through to Cod Hole. Kick off your action-packed liveaboard with a low level reef flight, where you can gaze down at the spectacular natural formations from above before diving in and exploring them from below. Enjoy up to 11 dives (including a night dive) or snorkels over the course of this trip, at beautiful reef sites like Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, Coral Kingdom, and Blue Lagoon - to name a few!
4 Day Fly And Dive Coral Sea | Mike Ball
From $2700, maximum capacity of 28
This liveaboard is the ultimate trip for advanced scuba divers, with capacity for up to 14 scuba dives, including 2 night dives, across four days, as well as a spectacular scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef to finish off the once-in-a-lifetime trip. Explore the amazing corals, marine life, caves, and caverns that are hiding beneath the Coral Sea surface at prime dive sites. With all dives, meals, accommodation, and the scenic flight included in the price of your ticket, this overnight experience works out to be excellent value for money!
4 Day Minke Whale Expedition | OceanQuest
From $2850, maximum capacity of 48
Make the most of whale migration season in Australia and spend an unforgettable four nights swimming with magnificent Dwarf Minke Whales in a controlled environment. Learn about their behaviours and help with vital research to help protect them, while enjoying premium dive sites within the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs. In between diving and snorkelling, enjoy delicious meals served by the on board chef, chill out in air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, and soak up the sunshine on the deck.
4 Day 4 Night Coral Sea | Spirit of Freedom
From $2995, maximum capacity of 26
Kick off the tour with a stunning scenic chopper flight over the reef to Lizard Island, where your aquatic adventure begins! Spirit of Freedom's four-day tour is basically an extension of their three-day tour, adding a few more pristine dive sites to the agenda, for your pleasure. Embark on up to 15 dives (including night diving) over breathtaking dropoffs, isolated pinnacles and unique coral gardens, and swim flipper to fin with vibrant tropical fish, giant potato cod, and even minke whales in the winter season!
6 Day Coral Sea And Cod Hole | Mike Ball
From $3267, maximum capacity of 28
Explore some of the most exclusive diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef on this action-packed 6-day diving expedition. This is the perfect trip for experienced certified divers looking to take it to the next level, with opportunities for advanced divers to explore the Coral Sea up to 18 times - including 3 night dives, and even shark dives! Wrap it all up with a stunning scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef for an all-round knock-out trip.
7 Day Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea Adventure | Spirit of Freedom
From $4549, maximum capacity of 26
Spirit of Freedom’s weeklong liveaboard adventure is a dream come true for those eager beavers that just can’t get enough of the Great Barrier Reef. With seven days spent gallivanting and frolicking through countless sites from Cod Hole and North Horn to the Osprey and Ribbon Reefs, you’ll score up to 24 dives! Since this is a pretty intensive scuba voyage it’s ideal for PADI Advanced Divers. And if you’re not quite there yet but ready to take your diving skills to the next level, the PADI Advanced and PADI Nitrox courses are available to complete onboard.
Not only will the diving knock your socks off but so will the food. Enjoy barbeque banquets under the sunset and lip-smacking chef-prepared meals. Make sure you’re filling up your tank and getting your daily dose of nutrients after those long and rewarding days spent under the sea.
8 Day Coral Sea Safari | Mike Ball
From $4573, maximum capacity of 28
This one is for the hardcore scuba fanatics. Embark on a diving safari across eight days and seven nights, exploring premium dive sites in Osprey Reef and Ribbon Reefs. Advanced divers will have the opportunity to enjoy up to a whopping 26 dives, including 4 night dives on this outstanding expedition. Designed for ocean lovers who never tire of visiting the underwater world, this is a true adventure that pulls out all the stops!
