Compare Great Barrier Reef Overnight Tours From Cairns
Great Barrier Reef overnight tours from Cairns are an amazing way to enhance your experience in the Coral Sea. Day tours are perfect for travellers who are short on time and money, but if you have the means, definitely consider an overnight tour. You actually get amazing value for money on an overnight tour because all your accommodation and meals are included.
Not only do you get more opportunities for snorkelling or scuba diving at more reef sites, but you also get to witness more magic out on the ocean. For example, overnight tours allow you to see the sunrise and sunset at sea! In winter, you have more chances to spot whales roaming around on the reef. And for certified divers, you can often try night diving on an overnight Great Barrier Reef liveaboard.
We're going to compare the top features of each Great Barrier Reef liveaboard from Cairns so you can help select your perfect vessel!
Great Barrier Reef Overnight Tours From Cairns
| Tour Operator | Duration | Pax | Departure Days |
Dive Experience | Total # of Dives | # of Night Dives | Rooms | Additional Upgrades | Reef Sites |
| Pro Dive | 3 Days / 2 Nights | 32 | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 11 | 2 | Double or twin share cabins | Nitrox + PADI Advanced courses | Flynn, Thetford, Milln and Pellowe Reefs |
| Reef Encounter | 2 Days / 1 Night | 42 | Daily | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 4 | 1 | Double or twin share staterooms with private ensuites | Top Deck Club for exclusive services, Dive courses, scenic flights | Norman, Saxon, Hastings, Breaking Patches |
| Reef Encounter | 3 Days / 2 Nights | 42 | Daily | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 9 | 2 | Double or twin share staterooms with private ensuites | Top Deck Club for exclusive services, dive courses, scenic flights | Norman, Saxon, Hastings, Breaking Patches |
| Reef Encounter | 4 Days / 3 Nights | 42 | Daily | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 13 | 3 | Double or twin share staterooms with private ensuites | Top Deck Club for exclusive services, dive courses, scenic flights | Norman, Saxon, Hastings, Breaking Patches |
| Reef Encounter | 5 Days / 4 Nights | 42 | Daily |
Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers |
16 |
4 | Double or twin share staterooms with private ensuites | Top Deck Club for exclusive services, dive courses, scenic flights | Norman, Saxon, Hastings, Breaking Patches |
| Oceanquest | 2 Days / 1 Night | 48 | Daily |
Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers |
7 |
1 | Double or twin share cabins with ensuites | Fluoro night dive, dive courses | Norman, Saxon, Hastings |
| Oceanquest | 3 Days / 2 Nights | 48 | Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 10 | 2 | Double or twin share cabins with ensuites | Fluoro night dive, dive courses | Norman, Saxon, Hastings |
| Oceanquest | 4 Days / 3 Nights | 48 | Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 12 | 3 | Double or twin share cabins with ensuites | Fluoro night dive, dive courses | Norman, Saxon, Hastings |
| Spirit of Freedom | 3 Days / 3 Nights | 26 | Thursdays | Experienced snorkellers, certified/advanced divers | 11 | 1 | Quad share, twin/double share, or deluxe staterooms | Dive courses, nitrox packages | Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Spirit of Freedom | 4 Days / 4 Nights | 26 | Sundays | Experienced snorkellers, certified/advanced divers | 15 | 2 | Quad share, twin/double share, or deluxe staterooms | Dive courses, nitrox packages | Ribbon Reefs, Osprey, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Spirit of Freedom | 7 Days / 7 Nights | 26 | Thursdays | Advanced divers | 26 | 7 | Quad share, twin/double share, or deluxe staterooms | Dive courses, nitrox packages | Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Osprey, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Mike Ball | 3 Days / 3 Nights | 28 | Mondays | Experienced snorkellers, certified/advanced divers | 12 | 2 | Double/twin shares with shared or private facilities | N/A | Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Mike Ball | 4 Days / 4 Nights | 28 | Thursdays | Experienced snorkellers, certified/advanced divers | 14 | 2 | Double/twin shares with shared or private facilities | N/A | Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Osprey, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Mike Ball | 6 Days / 5 Nights | 28 | Thursdays | Advanced divers | 18 | 3 | Double/twin shares with shared or private facilities | N/A | Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Bougainville, Holmes, Osprey, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Mike Ball | 8 Days / 7 Nights | 28 | Thursdays | Advanced divers | 26 | 4 | Double/twin shares with shared or private facilities | N/A | Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Bougainville, Osprey, Holmes, Scenic flight to Lizard Island |
| Rum Runner | 2 Days / 1 Night | 16 |
Mondays, Thursdays |
Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 6 | 1 | Shared accommodation | Advanced Open Water Course | Thetford, Moore |
| Rum Runner | 3 Days / 3 Nights | 16 | Fridays | Snorkellers, intro divers, certified divers | 10 | 1 | Shared accommodation | Advanced Open Water Course | Holmes |
Find more info about our top overnight Great Barrier Reef tours from Cairns!
Which Great Barrier Reef tours have diving with whales?
During the winter months, you can also join an overnight Great Barrier Reef tour that includes diving or snorkelling with Minke whales! Sighting whales on the reef is never 100% guaranteed, but the guides onboard do their best to bring divers and snorkellers to the best spots. If you are lucky enough to spot whales, you can experience the dive of a lifetime!
Whale liveaboard diving tours are seasonal. They only run in June or July during peak whale season.
- Spirit of Freedom 3 Night Minke Whale and Ribbon Reef Liveaboard
- Oceanquest 4 Night Minke Whale Expedition
Which Great Barrier Reef overnight tours have dive courses?
For many travellers booking a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard, you may see this as an opportunity to complete a dive course! While you're already out on the ocean for an extended period of time, you can easily book a dive course to enhance your skills and gain new dive certifications.
Most liveaboards in Cairns offer PADI dive courses, including:
- Oceanquest
- Pro Dive
- Reef Encounter
- Spirit of Freedom
The type of PADI dive course you can take on these vessels varies, with popular options being:
- Advanced Dive Courses
- Scuba Refresher Courses
- Open Water Courses
- Nitrox Courses
- and more!
Courses offered may vary based on availability and the length of the liveaboard. Enquire before booking to ensure that your chosen dive course is available on your Great Barrier Reef overnight tour from Cairns!
