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Rum Runner is the cheapest Cairns liveaboard trip. Their overnight tours are described as budget and will suit people chasing a low price point to see the Great Barrier Reef, and are happy to compromise on boat luxuries. They visit Thetford Reef on their 2 day / 1 night trips, which is part of the outer Great Barrier Reef. These trips cater to snorkellers and certified divers and depart Cairns twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. Rum Runner takes a maximum of 16 guests accommodated in bunks and describe their boat as being ‘the equivalent of a multi-share hostel, just on water’. Toilet and bathroom facilities are shared. The tour price includes your time on the boat, transfers to and from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, accommodation, meals and all equipment needed for diving or snorkelling.
Rum Runner visits Thetford Reef, which has several sites for snorkelling and diving. The tour prices are structured to suit snorkellers, certified divers and those wanting to try an introductory dive. All diving is extra, but the price includes rental of your dive equipment. All certified diving is unguided on Rum Runner and in buddy pairs.
Rum Runner has the cheapest overnight Cairns reef tours. Suits snorkelers and divers chasing good reef, compromising on boat luxuries.
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Rum Runner has been running Cairns Great Barrier Reef tours since 2005. The boat takes a maximum of 16 guests, staying in multi-share twin single bunk areas, semi-private twin single bunk cabins and a 4-share single bunk cabin. The accommodation is classified as basic and is all in single bunks, with shared toilet / shower facilities. That being said, you’re here to see the reef and guests have the opportunity to participate in snorkelling, introductory diving and certified diving. Rum Runner’s overnight tours depart Cairns at 7.30am on Mondays and Thursdays, returning around 3pm the following day.
Rum Runner’s Cairns overnight reef tours cater to scuba divers of all experience and certification levels. The dive price includes up to 6 dives (5 day dives and 1 night dive), dive site briefings and rental of all diving equipment. Please note all of the certified diving on Rum Runner is unguided and done in buddy pairs. If you are a solo traveller, you will be paired with another guest of similar dive experience. You will visit 3 to 4 different sites during your time at sea and all dive sites are suitable for those with Open Water certification level and above. You will be required to show proof of your dive certification. You do not have to participate in all of the dives, but all are included in the tour price; there is no discount provided if you do less dives.
Rum Runner does offer introductory scuba diving, with no prior experience necessary. On an introductory dive, you will go scuba diving with one of their experienced Dive Instructors, to a maximum depth of 12m. You will be in physical contact with the instructor for the duration of the dive. The minimum age to participate is 12 years old. You can book 1 introductory dive with your initial booking and receive a second one for free, subject to availability. The introductory dive price includes all of your dive equipment, dive instruction and dive guide.
Please note certain health conditions can prevent you from trying scuba diving, this includes but is not limited to: asthma, epilepsy, chronic sinus conditions and ear problems, heart disease and sugar diabetes. It is not advised to try scuba diving if you are pregnant.
Rum Runner’s overnight Cairns reef tours are suitable for snorkellers, of all experience levels. You will visit 3 to 4 different reef sites during your overnight tour, all of which will be suitable for snorkelling. All snorkel equipment, mask, snorkel and fins are provided and included in the tour price. Site briefings are provided for each location. Please note all snorkelling will be in open water and in some instances, waves and current might be present. Buoyancy devices are available if needed.
Rum Runner is a 20m motor sailing schooner, built in 1984. The lower deck interior is mostly open plan and provides the accommodation, saloon, galley and bathrooms. The exterior deck is a combination of sundeck and shaded areas. This practical dive boat is suited for adventurous travellers, seeking high quality reef at the best price and in their own words ‘those seeking pure sailing, privacy and luxury must consider elsewhere’. All of this being said, the Rum Runner Cairns overnight reef tour does get 5 star reviews, we just want to make sure you know the trip is about the reef, not the boat.
The accommodation on Rum Runner is in single bunks; there’s a 4-share bunk cabin, semi-private twin cabin and multi-share bunk areas. Bed linen and pillows are provided. The shower and toilet facilities are shared.
On the 2 day / 1 night Rum Runner tours you’ll be diving and snorkelling on Thetford Reef, known for its coral gardens and walls, with swim throughs. Each of the reef sites are suitable for snorkelers and divers of all experience levels. The maximum depth is around 18m. During your overnight trip with Rum Runner, the boat will move around to different sites, allowing you to explore a few places on the Great Barrier Reef. The night dive location will usually be at the same site as the last dive for the day, so you are already familiar with it. Which reefs and sites you will visit on your tour will be dependent on the weather, tides and current.
All meals are included in the Rum Runner price. On day one you’ll receive a light lunch of cold meats, breads and salad. Dinner will be a hot meal, accompanied by salad and bread. This might be roasted chicken drumsticks with mashed potatoes, a curry with rice, pasta or similar. On day two, breakfast is a selection of cereals, with toast as well as bacon, sausages and baked beans. The meals are prepared fresh onboard the boat. Tea, coffee and water are all complimentary, additional beverages can be purchased at extra cost. Credit cards and cash are accepted.
Dietary requirements can sometimes be accommodated but must be pre-arranged.
When coming on a Rum Runner liveaboard reef trip, you should bring all of your clothing and swimwear (including warm clothes for the evening), towels, cold drinks and snacks. Also bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, toiletries and reusable water bottle, plus seasickness medication (if you need it). If you are scuba diving, then you will need to bring your dive certification card. Please pack in a small overnight bag, as space is limited on the boat.
Sleeping bags, pillows, extra luggage. Extra shoes. You will not be wearing shoes on the boat.
Please note your check in and departure point for this overnight tour is at the Rum Runner boat, which is moored on E Finger, Berth 3 at Cairns’ Marlin Marina. Check in and boarding is from 7am for an 7.30am departure; you return to the same location the following day, at around 3pm.
Check in at the boat and commences at 7am for a 7.30am departure.
Snorkelling and scuba diving on Cairns Great Barrier Reef. Following a usual itinerary, you will have 3 dive / snorkel sessions during the day and the option for 1 night dive. Enjoy sunset at sea.
On the journey from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, you will be briefed on the safety aspects of the trip and boat. You are welcome to hoist a sail with the crew or just relax and enjoy the journey. You arrive at the first reef site around 11am for snorkelling and scuba diving. Lunch is served and there’s time for more 2 more snorkel and dive sessions after this and before dinner is served. The night dive will be at the same place as your last afternoon water session, ensuring you are familiar with it.
The boat returns to Cairns Marlin Marina at around 3pm.
Waking up to see sunrise over the Coral Sea. Breathtaking. More time exploring the reef, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Wake up and watch the sunrise. It’s a magical way to start your day on the Great Barrier Reef. There’s two dive / snorkel sessions this morning, one before and one after breakfast. Early morning diving on the reef is always excellent with an abundance of marine life, keep your eyes peeled for reef sharks and bumphead parrotfish. Then it’s a hot and cold breakfast, with time for one last splash in the sea. Lunch is served as Rum Runner commences its return journey to Cairns. You arrive back around 3pm.
The Rum Runner Cairns overnight reef trip goes to Thetford Reef, part of the outer Great Barrier Reef. They can access several sites here and will visit the best ones to maximise your experience, pending weather, current and tides. All of their sites are suitable for snorkelers and scuba divers, including introductory divers.
The snorkelling on Rum Runner is good. They visit outer reef sites, which usually have excellent visibility. Coral gardens will rise up to within a few metres of the surface. All snorkelling equipment is provided in conjunction with the tour price, including mask, snorkel and fins. Flotation devices are available if needed. If you are travelling with a diving companion, then you will be snorkelling on the same reefs as them and able to spend all the time with them, except when they are under the water.
No, you do not need to be a certified diver to go on a Rum Runner Cairns overnight reef trip. These trips are suitable for snorkellers and divers. If you are a snorkeller who wants to try scuba diving for the first time, then you can book an introductory dive. No prior experience necessary. Minimum age to participate is 12 years old.
Introductory diving is in addition to the tour price, but it includes all of your dive equipment, dive instruction and dive guide. You can pre-book 1 introductory dive on this trip, with the option to do a second one for free, pending availability. The maximum depth you will go is 12m.
Please note certain health conditions can prevent you from scuba diving, this includes but is not limited to: asthma, epilepsy, chronic sinus conditions and ear problems, heart disease and sugar diabetes. It is not advised to try scuba diving if you are pregnant.
The introductory diving on a Rum Runner Cairns overnight reef trip is excellent. This boat has access to some awesome reef sites and the dive crew are friendly and professional.
You can pre-book 1 introductory dive on this trip. Additional dives are subject to availability.
The diving on Thetford Reef is usually excellent, with a combination of swim throughs, coral gardens and walls. All of Rum Runner’s sites are suitable for divers of all experience levels, but please note all diving is unguided, so you should be confident with underwater navigation. You can do up to 6 dives on this trip, 5 day dives and 1 night dive. Diving equipment and dive site briefings are included in the dive tour price. Certified divers will need to show proof of their certification.
You can do up to 6 certified dives on a Rum Runner 2 day / 1 night. 5 day dives and 1 night dive.
No. All certified diving on Rum Runner is unguided.
Yes, you should be able to swim to go on a Rum Runner trip. This boat does not have glass bottom boat tours or visit an island or pontoon. All activities are water-based.
This would be up to the family to determine, based on the age of children and requirements. The minimum age for the Rum Runner overnight tour is 4 years old. The majority of spaces on the boat are communal spaces with limited privacy; if you are happy with this, then ‘yes’ this trip is suitable for families.
The food on Rum Runner is pretty basic, but adequate for an overnight trip. Breakfast is hot and cold, with cereals, toast, bacon and sausages. Lunch is cold meats, salad and bread. Dinner is a hot meal, accompanied with bread and salad. You can BYO cold drinks and snacks.
The maximum number of guests on a Rum Runner Cairns overnight reef trip is 16 people.
Yes, Rum Runner’s overnight trip is suitable for snorkellers and divers.
Transfers to and from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef. All of your snorkelling and/or diving equipment is included in the relevant price for that activity / trip, as is reef site briefings at each destination. Accommodation is included, as is bed linen and pillows. All meals on board are included, as is unlimited tea, coffee and water.
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