Cairns liveaboard diving tours are the best way to maximise your time on the Great Barrier Reef. Spend your days exploring multiple dive sites, home to an abundance of marine life. Guaranteed sightings include anemonefish, schools of fusiliers, sweetlips, sea cucumbers, trout and cod. On our over 480 dives on Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef, we’ve seen these every time. Being on a liveaboard also greatly increases your chances of seeing reef sharks, bumphead parrotfish, turtles and more. A highlight of Cairns liveaboard diving tours is the early morning and night dives, as well as sunrise and sunset at sea. Liveaboard trips depart Cairns every day. The main difference between them all is destination and tour structure. Some have liveaboard boats permanently at sea, which you transfer to and from on a day boat, while others are dedicated dive boats going to and from Cairns.
While Cairns’ liveaboard diving tours may appear expensive at first glance, it’s important to remember the price includes transfers, accommodation and all of your meals. If this is your bucket list trip to the Great Barrier Reef, then the liveaboard option delivers serious return on investment. See more. Dive more. There are some options, so to help you pick the best one for you, we break it down below.
Our Expert Advice: We’ve been on every Cairns liveaboard dive trip. We know how the boats work, what the cabins and food are like and most importantly, what the reef sites offer for divers. Our unbiased advice is based on first-hand experience, not brochures. We don’t work for the boat companies; we work for you, and in appreciation for those who book a liveaboard trip through us, we’ll lend you a free GoPro and make you a personalised trip video. The price is exactly the same and the commission supports us to continue to supply independent reviews and advice. Thanks to you, Richard, Julie and Ethan Johnston.
We went to Cairns for an action packed holiday and that is what we found thanks to Julie and Richard at I Love Cairns. I can't say enough great things about them. Communication while planning the trip was amazing. After listening to what we wanted, they were able to customize and create an itinerary just for our family. We were able to dive on the reef, hike and enjoy an island, sit on the beach and raft down a river. They even planned some downtime to shop, look at art then enjoy the local restaurants and relax. The personal recommendations and guidance Julie and Richard gave us was just what my family needed. Thanks so much! I highly recommend booking with I Love Cairns.
We booked a diving trip to the GBR through I Love Cairns. Richard and his team could not have been more professional, personable and helpful. They are very knowledgeable on all things to see and do in Cairns and beyond. The I Love Cairns website has detailed pages on things to do, choices of operators and the attractions in the surrounding areas.
And, they gave us a GoPro camera to use on our trip too.
We thoroughly recommend the I Love Cairns team and thank them for the excellent service they provided.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the review, I am glad you enjoyed the diving. We are always happy to share our experiences in North Queensland,
Excellent service! Friendly and brilliant bonus of underwater GoPro included with some bookings. Richard will go out of his way to ensure you have a great booking experience at the right price. Highly recommend.
I booked a diving course and a couple of dives with I Love Cairns. The bookings were all last minute with very limited availability but Richard came through and was always able to find a good optioion. Everything was clearly communicated and I got quick responses on WhatsApp even at night and on the weekend. The bookings also came with a. Free GoPro rental.
Appreciated the local advice. We talked to Richard before booking a reef tour, which was reassuring with all the options available and trying to pick the best day. Tickets came through by email and all went smoothly on the day. Got some great video snorkeling with the GoPro that was conveniently delivered and demonstrated to us.
Response from the owner:Hey Julian, thanks for the review and I am happy you got some great videos with the GoPro and it was nice to meet you and your family.
We contacted Richard to help us choose the best reef tour for our family of six. The website was very helpful but it was great to be able to speak to a person. As well, he provided us a GoPro to use on the reef. He dropped it to us at our hotel and went through how to use it as well as giving us tips on underwater photography. He picked it up from us after the reef tour which was great as we were all pretty tired and we only had to go down to the foyer to return it to him.
Richard also advised Kwells for sea sick prevention. Very glad we took these as a number of people were quite sick!
As we are in Cairns for a week it was helpful to have Richard’s expertise on the tour options. He knows all the operators and has lots of inside knowledge he was able to pass on. Thanks for a great Cairns experience!
Response from the owner:Hey Carolyn, thank you for the review, I am glad you had a great time out on Tusa.
Booking our diving trip through I Love Cairns was super smooth and uncomplicated. We had an amazing experience with Divers Den on the OceanQuest and especially loved the free GoPro hire from I Love Cairns, which let us take home photos and videos of the Great Barrier Reef without having to pay extra. We would definitely book again and highly recommend them! :)
Response from the owner:Hey Nina, it was great meeting you and Niklas, there is nothing more I love than helping people book these trips and seeing how happy they are when we pick up the cameras at the end of the trips. Thanks for the review and safe travels.
Richard has been absolutely wonderful in providing advice and guidance on what to do based on the experience I wanted. Thank you Richard for a very informative website and excellent advice!
Response from the owner:Hi Monica, I’m so happy you got to see the turtle and tick that one off the list. I’m also really glad I was able to help you with the booking. I know this trip meant so much to you and the boys, so it’s wonderful to hear it all came together.
I cannot recommend Richard highly enough. He has been absolutely fabulous. So helpful with booking our great barrier reef tour, dropping off our free hired go pro and recommending a great local takeaway to boot. Seriously, if you're looking for things to do around Cairns get in touch with him!!! Top marks from us!!
Response from the owner:Hey Charlene, thanks for the review we always love helping people out and the Chinese takeaway is the best :).
Get a free underwater camera rental when you book tours departing Cairns through us valued at over $750, we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera to use for the duration of your tours. Numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Get in touch with us to claim this deal today.
Special Deal
Choosing the right Cairns liveaboard diving tour for you, comes down to matching your itinerary, dive expectations, travelling partners and budget, with the right tour and boat. There’s no bad tours, but the wrong choice can result in you missing out on some memorable moments. We’ve identified the below topics for consideration and are always happy to provide our personal recommendations, tailored to your needs. Liveaboard tours depart every day from Cairns and the boats are equipped with everything you need for an amazing diving experience. Certified divers will need to bring their certification cards and all divers will need to complete dive medical paperwork on board the boats. Our Top Tip: If you’re travelling with non-diving companions, make sure you book a boat that caters to snorkellers too, more on this below.
How do I choose the right Cairns liveaboard diving tour for me?
Do You Want A Premium Great Barrier Reef Experience At The Best Sites?
If you want to see the best of the Great Barrier Reef and your budget allows it, we recommend a liveaboard tour that visits the Far Northern Ribbon Reefs. The Ribbon Reefs consist of 10 individual reefs named by number and home to some of our favourite diving sites of all time. The Cod Hole is on Ribbon Reef 10 and is globally famous for its resident population of friendly Potato Cod. Steve’s Bommie is on Ribbon Reef 3 and is another incredible dive site, with an abundance of marine life swirling around it and living on it. The Ribbon Reefs stretch along the edge of the continental shelf, between Cooktown and Lizard Island. These 4 day / 3 night trips are suitable for those with Open Water certification and 10 logged ocean dives. They include a scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. Book these tours early, as they do sell out. Book with us and we will lend you a GoPro underwater camera for use on the trip.
Is Budget And Your Available Time Limited?
Time and Money. Always a big consideration when looking at tours and we know, diving is expensive and not everyone has a lot of time. No problem, you can book overnight liveaboard tours that take you to Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. These trips stay in the waters off Cairns and visit a few different sites each day, maximising your Great Barrier Reef experience. These trips are cheaper than the Ribbon Reef trips, and you can choose from a few different boats. One is large and spacious, the other is smaller and offers a budget liveaboard experience. Book 1 night or stay up to 6. Want more info? Get in touch today and we’ll find the best deal for you.
Do You Want To Be Guided On Your Liveaboard Diving Tour?
Fun Fact: None of the Cairns liveaboard diving tours include dive guides in their tour price. The expectation is that as you are a certified diver, you should be able to dive with a buddy and navigate back to the boat. That being said, there are a lot of new divers who come here and would like the peace of mind that they can enjoy the dive, letting the guide navigate around the reef. As such, some operators offer the ability to book a dive guide, which is charged $20 per person, per dive, in addition to the tour price. If this is something you are interested in, get in touch with us today.
Are You Looking For The Best Overnight Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tour?
There are 3 operators that provide overnight Cairns liveaboard dive tours, and they are all very different. Option 1 is OceanQuest a multi-storey liveaboard boat that can accommodate up to 48 passengers. It’s spacious and comfortable with separate saloon and dining areas. Up to 6 dives. Option 2 is Coral Sea Dreaming which takes a maximum of 12 guests and is a sailing boat. Up to 5 dives. Option 3 is Rum Runner, which takes a maximum of 16 guests and describe their boat as being ‘the equivalent of a multi-share hostel, just on water’. Rum Runner is very budget friendly. Up to 6 dives. All 3 of these trips explore multiple sites on Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. If budget allows, we highly recommend OceanQuest. Book with us today and we will lend you a GoPro underwater camera for use on the trip.
Did You Want A 2 Night Liveaboard Diving Tour?
Two Cairns operators provide 3 day / 2 night liveaboard diving tours. Both visit multiple locations on Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. All the dive sites visited on these tours are suitable for those with Open Water certification and above. One boat is a dedicated dive boat, providing up to 11 dives, including night dives. This boat is also BYO for drinks at the end of the day. The other boat caters to snorkellers, dive students and certified divers. This is a great choice for those travelling with non-diving companions. This is a licensed boat, with drinks available for sale at additional cost. You can do up to 10 dives on this 2 night trip. We’ll help you find the best Cairns liveaboard trip for you, contact us.
Did You Want A 3 Night Liveaboard Diving Tour?
If you have a little more time up your sleeve and are looking for the ultimate Cairns liveaboard dive tour, then pick the 3 night Spirit of Freedom Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs tour. It’s expensive, but the diving is phenomenal and it includes a one-way scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. You can do up to 11 dives. If that’s booked out or you’re looking for something more affordable, then a 3 night trip on OceanQuest Cairns is the one for you. It stays on Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef, visiting multiple dive sites during your stay. You can do up to 14 dives. Both of these trips are suitable for those with Open Water certification. Book either trip with us, and we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera for use on the trip.
Did You Want A 4 Night Liveaboard Diving Tour?
There are 2 Cairns liveaboards that provide 4 night tours. The first one is OceanQuest, which visits multiple sites on Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. All of these sites are suitable for Open Water divers and you can do up to 18 dives on the 4 night trip. Daily departures. The second one is Spirit of Freedom’s Osprey Reef trip, which is only suitable for Advanced Divers with at least 20 logged ocean dives. This trip visits the remote Osprey Reef which has 1,000m wall drop-offs, lots of sharks and outstanding visibility. You can do up to 15 dives on this trip, including a shark attraction dive. This trip also includes a one-way flight from Cairns to Lizard Island. Departs Sunday.
Did You Want A 7 Night Liveaboard Diving Tour?
There’s 2 x 7 night Cairns liveaboard diving tours to choose from, and they are both very different. For those with Open Water certification, you can jump on OceanQuest and explore Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. For Advanced Divers you can choose OceanQuest, or consider Spirit of Freedom’s Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef trip. 7 night trip with up to 26 dives at premium sites including Steve’s Bommie, Cod Hole and Osprey Reef. Meet potato cod, explore 1,000m coral wall drop offs and enjoy epic visibility. Book either one of these with us and we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera for use on the trip.
Did You Want A Cairns Liveaboard Tour To Give You The Most Dives?
All liveaboard dive tours provide the opportunity to enhance your logged dive time, while exploring multiple Great Barrier Reef dive sites. If you’re looking for an overnight trip, OceanQuest provides the opportunity to do 6 dives, including 1 night dive. For 3 day / 2 night trips, ProDive Cairns lets you do up to 11 dives (and 3 day / 2 night trip on OceanQuest lets you do up to 10 dives). ProDive tailor all their trips for dive students and certified divers. OceanQuest is suitable for snorkellers and certified divers, so these are other factors to consider if travelling with non-diving companions. Both of these operators visit Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef and all dive sites are suitable for those with Open Water certification.
Did You Want To Improve Your Skills or Certification On A Cairns Liveaboard Tour?
While all the main Cairns liveaboard dive trips offer dive courses and the chance to add to your certification levels, only 1 is a dedicated dive boat and that’s Pro Dive. Pro Dive Cairns has certified over 190,000 divers since opening in 1983. If you’re a current Open Water Diver and want to move to the Advanced Open Water Diver level, then their 3 day / 2 night trips are the perfect choice. You will do up to 11 dives, including the 5 training dives needed to complete your Advanced Open Water. All dives will be on Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. On course completion, you’ll be certified to dive to a maximum depth of 30m / 100 feet.
Did You Want To See Lots of Sharks On Your Tour?
By choosing a liveaboard Cairns diving tour you’ve already increased your chances, as night dives and early morning dives are the best time to see sharks. If you’re an Open Water Diver then you can choose from any of the liveaboards that stay on Cairns’ Outer Great Barrier Reef. You can choose from overnight trips to 2 night stays and extended expeditions. If you’re an Advanced Open Water Diver and sharks are your thing, then the Spirit of Freedom Osprey Reef trip will tick all your boxes and includes a shark attraction dive. We’ve done all of the Cairns liveaboard trips and can recommend the best one for you. Book with us and we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera for use on the trip.
Are You Travelling With Non-Diving Companions?
We’ve helped lots of people who are travelling with non-diving companions, especially multi-generational family tours. We know how each of the Cairns liveaboard boats work, what the cabins are like, the food and most importantly, the reef. If you’re travelling with non-diving companions and want to know what the best liveaboard tour is for your group, contact Richard for personalised advice on richard@ilovecairns.com.au, WhatsApp or call 0410 510 214. We’d love to make sure you all have the best time, on your ultimate Great Barrier Reef adventure.
What Activities Are Included / Available In Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours?
This section relates to ‘what you get’ in conjunction with your tour price. The ‘base price’ for all Cairns liveaboard diving tours covers the boat, your accommodation, linen and all meals. When you pick a Cairns outer reef liveaboard, all your equipment is included in the tour price. All diving is unguided, but you can opt to pay extra for a dive guide and this is detailed above. Pro Dive is BYO alcohol, while beverages can be purchased at additional expense on the other operators. The Spirit of Freedom trips include some dive equipment in the tour price (mask, snorkel, boots, fins, tanks, weights and weight belts) additional equipment, including BCD, regulators, computer, torch and wetsuits can be hired at extra cost. Beverages are purchased at additional cost on Spirit of Freedom.
Cairns Liveaboard Diving Tour Prices and Inclusions.
Cairns liveaboard diving tours can be very expensive. Spirit of Freedom trips are the most expensive, but they travel greater distances, visit premium dive sites and have outstanding customer service. If you can afford them, they are worth it. For the trips on Cairns outer reefs, it’s impossible to compare apples with apples as while they are similar, they are slightly different too. We’ve been on all these boats and provide unbiased, honest advice to help you choose the best tour for you. Contact Richard on 0410 510 214 or richard@ilovecairns.com.au we’d love to help you with your Cairns liveaboard diving tour and provide a FREE GoPro to guests who book through us. Limited availability, first in best dressed.
The Great Barrier Reef is a dream destination for scuba divers. Vibrant coral gardens and lagoons teeming with an outstanding diversity of marine life. From tiny and colourful chromis, to schools of fusiliers that stream around the reef, anemonefish, trout, snapper, sweetlips, wrasse, parrotfish, damsels, giant clams, stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, moray eels and more, we’ve seen it all on our reef trips. Cairns liveaboard diving trips are suitable for divers of all experience levels, as well as those travelling with non-diving companions and families. Cabin accommodation ranges from quad share to twins, doubles and staterooms. All trips include meals, accommodation, linen and transfers to and from Cairns to the boat. You can choose from a 1 night / 2 day trip to a 7 night expedition and we’re here to help, matching you with the best trip to maximise your experience.
Cairns Liveaboard Diving Tours. A Kid’s Perspective, From Our Son Ethan.
Liveaboard dive trips are the best! You get to dive all day and see lots of different reef sites. It also means you get to do night dives, which are the best time to see sharks! I loved my first night dive! The cabins are really comfortable and the food is pretty good, but I must admit I don’t like the desalinated water on board. My favourite liveaboard trip was on OceanQuest. The crew of the boats I have been on are really great with kids and made me feel really welcome. Ethan’s Top Tip for Kids: Take a wetsuit, the more diving you do the colder you get, I have a 3mm wetsuit and it keeps me comfortable. Also, make sure you get the dessert, it’s always awesome!
Cairns Liveaboard Diving Locations
Cairns liveaboard tours visit a range of locations. We’ve included the top operators on this page. All of them visit Cairns’ outer reefs except Spirit of Freedom, which is an expedition dive boat that goes further afield, travelling to the pristine Ribbon Reefs and the remote Osprey Reef. The Cairns outer reefs are suitable for divers of all experience levels, with the maximum depth rarely exceeding 22m and usually 18m. The Ribbon Reefs are suitable for Open Water divers, while Osprey Reef is only suitable for experienced Advanced Divers with 1,000m drop offs. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the differences and highlights of all these diving locations below.
Outer Reefs.
Cairns outer reefs offer excellent diving for all certified divers. If you are travelling with a non-diving companion that wants to try diving, this is the only location that Introductory Dives are available (minimum age to participate is 12 years old, certain health conditions will preclude you from trying). The majority of dive sites on the outer reefs are in coral gardens and along coral walls. In most instances the current and waves should be mild to moderate, and visibility is usually at least 10m, but weather and tides can impact this. Cairns liveaboard diving tours visiting the outer reefs usually visit at least 2 sites per day, providing you the chance to explore more of the Great Barrier Reef. The outer reef has a diverse array of hard and soft corals and marine life. You are most likely to see sea turtles and sharks on a liveaboard trip.
Ribbon Reefs.
The Ribbon Reefs are renowned as offering some of the best scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. These are remote sites only visited by a few boats. They include coral gardens and lagoons, as well as standalone bommies, with Steve’s Bommie offering particularly excellent diving. Another highlight is the world-famous Cod Hole, providing divers the opportunity to dive alongside human-sized potato cod, which are friendly and inquisitive. We’ll always remember our first dive here and it’s a bucket list destination. Beyond that, the Ribbon Reefs generally offer a greater diversity of brilliantly coloured marine life, including an abundance of beautiful Anthia’s, fusiliers and snapper, there’s also a higher chance of seeing sea snakes, especially at the aptly named Snake Pit site. The Ribbon Reefs are suitable for Open Water divers, with all sites accessible to that maximum 18m depth limit. However, due to their distance from Cairns, the liveaboard boats do want you to have at least 10 recent open ocean dives under your belt.
Osprey Reef.
Osprey Reef is pure expedition and adventure diving, only suitable to divers with an Advance level of certification and above. This is a marine landscape of sea mounts and walls that drop away 1,000m to the sea floor below. The visibility is mind-blowing and can be up to 30m. There are sharks everywhere on every dive, and an Osprey Reef itinerary includes a shark attraction dive, with guaranteed shark action. We’re talking Grey Reef Sharks, Silvertips and the occasional Hammerhead. Beyond that the walls are festooned with a staggering array of soft corals and sea fans, an underwater photographers paradise. Of course Osprey Reef also has the ‘usual’ reef creatures, potato cod, giant groupers, bumphead parrotfish, big-eye trevally, mackerel, sea turtles and more. This is a serious divers location, so everyone on board these trips will share your diving passion. Dive depth is limited to your experience level and due to their distance from Cairns, the liveaboard boats do want you to have at least 20 recent open ocean dives under your belt.
What’s the cheapest Cairns liveaboard diving tour?
For the best bang for your buck, we recommend a 2 day / 1 night stay on OceanQuest. This operator offers the most competitive rates for short stays and has daily departures, thanks to a day boat providing transfers to and from Cairns to the liveaboard boat. If you’re looking for the cheapest price per dive over a longer trip, Pro Dive Cairns is hard to beat for their 3 day / 2 night package, which includes 11 dives.
What’s the longest liveaboard diving tour departing Cairns?
The longest scheduled liveaboard diving tour departing Cairns is the 7-night Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea trip with Spirit of Freedom. This is the ultimate Great Barrier Reef odyssey, covering hundreds of miles and up to 26 dives. If you want a longer stay on Cairns’ Outer Reefs OceanQuest allow you to “stack” nights, meaning you can choose how many nights you stay at the time of booking.
What’s the difference between the Cairns outer reefs and the Ribbon Reef?
It mostly comes down to remoteness and diversity. Cairns’ Outer Reefs (like Moore or Milln Reef) are closer to Cairns, making them accessible, sheltered and perfect for divers of all experience and certification levels. The Ribbon Reefs are a 100km+ chain of reefs further to the north. Because they are more remote, they often have better visibility and diversity of marine life. You’ll see different species there, like the giant Potato Cod or olive sea snakes, which are less common on Cairns’ Outer Reefs.
Can my non-diving companion come with me on a liveaboard diving tour?
Absolutely, but choose your boat wisely! OceanQuest is essentially a floating hotel, perfect for couples where one person dives and the other snorkels. This boat has plenty of deck space and easy water access. However, boats like Pro Dive and Spirit of Freedom are very diver-focused; while snorkellers can go, the itinerary and boat layout are designed specifically for people who are underwater most of the day.
Do Cairns liveaboard diving tours cater to dietary requirements and preferences?
Yes, they’re very used to catering for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free guests. However, because the boats are at sea, the chefs need to plan their menus before leaving the dock. Our Top Tip: Make sure you note any allergies or preferences at the time of booking. If you have a very specific or rare requirement, hit us up first and we can check with the boat to make sure they can look after you properly.
Are Cairns liveaboard diving tours suited to Open Water divers with limited experience?
Definitely. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places in the world to gain experience because the conditions are generally very forgiving (minimal current and warm water), and industry is very regulated with exacting safety standards and protocols on all tour boats. Most of the diving is done in the 10m–18m range, which is perfect for new divers. If you’re feeling a bit rusty, we recommend OceanQuest, as you can pay for a guide to go diving with you. This is charged per person, per dive and is in addition to the tour price.
Do I need a dive medical to go on a liveaboard?
In Queensland, dive safety laws are very strict. All divers must complete a medical questionnaire on board. If you have any history of asthma, heart conditions, or are taking certain medications, you may be required to provide a medical clearance from a doctor. We highly recommend checking the “Queensland Dive Medical” requirements before you fly to Cairns to avoid disappointment on the boat.
What should I pack for a liveaboard trip?
Space is limited in boat cabins, so pack light is the golden rule. You’ll spend 90% of your time in swimwear and comfortable ‘throw on’ clothes. Essential items include:
Two sets of swimwear (so you always have a dry one).
A light jacket or hoodie (the air-con and ocean breeze can get chilly at night).
Personal toiletries and reef-safe sunscreen.
Your certification card and logbook.
Seasickness medication (it’s better to have it and not need it!).
Extra cash / credit card to cover additional beverage and souvenir purchases.
Pro Tip: Use a soft duffel bag rather than a hard-shell suitcase, as they are much easier to store in small cabins.
How soon can I fly after my last liveaboard dive?
To ensure your safety and avoid decompression sickness, you must wait at least 24 hours after your final dive before flying. When planning your trip, make sure your flight out of Cairns is scheduled for at least 24 hours after the boat returns to the marina.
I’m travelling alone; will I have a dive buddy?
Absolutely! Liveaboards are incredibly social. If you are a solo traveller, the dive crew will buddy you up with another diver of similar experience. You’ll also likely share a twin-share cabin with another solo traveller of the same gender (unless you book a private stateroom).
Can I do a liveaboard trip if I’m not a certified diver?
Yes! OceanQuest is perfect for non-divers. You can enjoy the reef as a snorkeller or try an Introductory Dive (no experience necessary). It’s a great way to “test the waters” without committing to a full course.
Is there Wi-Fi or phone reception on the reef?
Generally, no. While some boats may have limited satellite Wi-Fi for emergencies, you should expect to be off-grid once you leave the sight of the coastline. This is part of the magic, waking up at sunrise with nothing but the ocean around you!
Why are Cairns liveaboard diving tours so expensive?
At first glance, the price can be surprising, but it’s helpful to view a liveaboard as a “floating resort.” Your booking includes your accommodation, all meals (usually chef-prepared), and between 3 to 4 dives per day. When you subtract the cost of 11 individual dives, 3 nights of hotel stays in Cairns, and 3 days of dining out, you often find that a liveaboard actually offers better value per dive than a series of day trips.
Richard, Julie, and Ethan Johnston are a local family dedicated to helping you experience the best of Cairns. From the reef to the rainforest, we offer honest advice and a free booking service to ensure you get the perfect experience at the best price. Why book with us? We don’t just list tours; we’ve lived them and booking through us costs no more than booking direct. Check out our tours, call Richard on 0410 510 214, or email richard@ilovecairns.com.au and let’s start planning!
