It may sound like a cliché, but this truly is one week of your life that you will never forget on this Cairns dive trip of a lifetime as you scuba dive the world famous Coral Sea and dive with sharks in Australia on this multi award winning liveaboard dive trip.
This liveaboard dive trip on the Coral Sea north of Cairns will showcase all of the best dive sites that the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea has to offer and you can even experience the heart pumping thrill of a "Dive with Sharks".
With our departure from Cairns you will be taken to pristine coral reefs that are located off areas that are not populated or farmed which means you will be diving in picturesque clear underwater visibility.
Departure Dates (current as of 13/03/24):
All scuba divers will have a chance to explore the amazing diversity of the marine life that that this area is a host to. This area is so pristine and amazing that it is no wonder that Sir David Attenborough has expressed this as his most favourite place in the world.
Dive amongst amazing formations of the coral gardens, experience drift diving along 1,000 m tall coral walls and get a chance to Dive with Sharks on our famous dive with sharks on our Coral Sea liveaboard dive trips.
These magnificent sharks of all varieties are amazing to watch under water and still inspire heart-stopping awe as you see them and get close to them.
A stopover at the exclusive Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef really sets this liveaboard dive expedition apart as you get the opportunity to explore the island that Captain James Cook used as a lookout to plan a route out of the reef, - a view that is still the same all these centuries later.
From June to August we have liveaboard dive trips from Cairns to see Dwarf Minke Whales and giant Humpback Whales who migrate to these waters to mate, calf and just to relax in the safety of the Great Barrier Reef coral barriers.
Any other time of the year you can look forward to see turtles (this area boasts having 6 of the 7 marine turtle species), rays, sharks, massive Humphead Parrotfish, schooling Trevally and Barracuda, dog size Maori Wrasse and diver size Potato Cod and Groupers.
For the small critter fans and macro photographers, there are Nudibranch, Gobies and Blennies, pipe horses, moray eels and clown fish.
If you wish to bring the whole family we will accept anybody on the trip over 8 years old and certified divers to be over 12 years old. If your party has non-divers there is amazing snorkeling at the dive sites and being a large vessel there is ample room to relax on the top deck (sun chairs provided) or in the sumptuous living area (with 2 flat screen TV’s and DVD’s).
The diving will require experienced Open Water divers or Advanced divers and is not recommended for newly certified divers.
The visibility of the waters tend to be consistently clear and temperatures are comfortable and range from around 22 degrees celcius (71 fahrenheit) (August – October) to 30 degrees celcius (86 degrees fahrenheit) ( (Feb-May) – the rest of the time its in between.
You will board our liveaboard luxury vessel for the week at the Cairns Marina. Arriving at 6 pm you will be introduced and welcomed to all the crew, where you can settle in your cabin and relax on the boat.
Sit on the top deck or in the lounge area and watch the amber glow of another beautiful tropical sunset as the final rays of the day disappear behind the mountains of the Great Dividing Range.
Overnight the dive boat will make its way to the remote and pristine reefs of the far north Osprey Reef and the surrounding Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef.
The dive sites visited on this dive trip are numerous and varied and will depend mainly on the season, conditions, currents and prevailing weather conditions.
The following are a selection of dive sites that are usually dived:
The world famous Cod Hole is the most famous dive site on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Aptly named after the diver-sized Potato Cod that inhabits the area. These Cod can grow up to a weight of 30 kg (66 lbs) and are highly inquisitive and friendly with scuba divers.
The curious Maori Wrasse, who are the size of a large dog and like to follow divers, will also most likely follow you around like a puppy dog. For all photographers, make sure you have your wide angled lens for this dive – the fish are huge.
This site comprises of a series of large coral bommies in close proximity of each other. The gaps between these bommies make an interesting maze of canyons and gullies that are just so fun to explore. The dive site dips down gently and you can see in the sand waving garden eels before the bottom turns into a wall with a 1,000 ft drop off (3,300 ft).
Admiralty Anchor provides the underwater photographer with plenty of great photo opportunities, with its colourful corals and schools of pelagic fish.
A large divide in the Great Barrier Reef gives this dive site its name. A large U-shaped gully gradually descends to around 30m (90ft). There are also large amounts of bommies that rise up from the gully floor that make the topography of this dive so interesting.
Fans, whips and soft corals hide out of site in the undercuts, while a variety of hard corals inhabit the higher levels. Schooling Big Eye Trevally and Barracudas are great entertainment and you might be lucky to see passing silver, grey reef and white tip sharks passing.
Coe on a Cairns dive trip to take a deep dive with sharks of all kinds. This geographical point creates plenty of shark action. Located at the northern most tip of Osprey Reef these are where two ocean currents converge, so it's a great spot to view the larger pelagic passing through. You might be lucky to see a passing hammerhead shark, but there are many silver tip sharks, grey reef sharks, grey whaler sharks and white tip reef sharks that converge here.
It’s at this site that makes a spectacular site for our signature dive with the sharks trip. Aside from the amazing shark action you will also see dog tooth tuna, mackerel, rainbow runners, barracuda, various code species and decorative soft coral, sea whips and the largest gorgonian fans that can be seen on the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.
Midway through your expedition you get to stop at Lizard Island and walk off your sea legs. Explore Watson’s Bay and climb the hill to Chinaman’s Ridge, where Captain Cook once stood to get his bearings at “Cook’s Lookout”. The view you see today has changed very little since all those centuries ago.
The Dingaal Aboriginal people believed that these islands had been created in the Dreamtime. Together they saw the islands like a stingray with Lizard Island being the body and the other islands in the group forming the tail and called the island Jiigurru.
The name Lizard Island dates back to 12 August 1770 when Captain Cook visited. He commented, "The only land Animals we saw here were Lizards, and these seemed to be aplenty, which occasioned my naming the Island Lizard Island." By the 1860s the island was being used by sea cucumber fishermen to supply this popular delicacy to the markets in Asia.
Due to its secluded location and amazing scenery this island is often frequented by lots of A-list celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Tiger Woods, Charlize Theron and Teri Hatcher, and other wealthy famous people from the world over.
It is now protected as part of a National Park and hosts an exclusive resort on the island, aptly called Lizard Island Resort.
Once back on the open sea again, you will be diving again at the most amazing dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef.
Though not sure who Steve was – he certainly has an impressive dive site named after him. Steve’s Bommie is one of the Great Barrier Reefs more frequented and favourite sites. Located off one of the ribbon reefs, bommies rise from 30 m (90ft) to just under the surface. These natural towers offer protection and shelter for a variety of schooling fish.
Bigeye trevally, barracuda, Moses perch, yellow-lined snapper, and mackerel really make this site special, while reef sharks patrol the depths. For the keen macro photographer there are nudibranchs, pipefish, scorpionfish, flatworms, lionfish and mantis shrimps among other small critters that will fill your lens.
See the amazing effects of a Flame Shell as it pulses its own neon light show and the resident clown fish hiding amongst the waving anemones.
These are only some of the dive sites that your amazing 26 dives on your 7 nights Great Barrier Reef safari will see.
After your last dive you will return to Cairns overnight where you will arrive back and disembark at 8.00am at Trinity Wharf.
A fantastic coral dive with vast beds of staghorn and other varieties, and dotted with colourful giant clams. Bump headed parrotfish and inquisitive barracuda cruise the site along with schools of other reef fish.
An exciting pinnacle dive, draped in soft corals and absolutely heaving with fish life. Spiral your way up the pinnacle and search for interesting critters such as the flame file clam, or ‘disco clam’, named for the flashing light that appears to pulse along its mantle.
Welcome to shark central! Watch a controlled shark feed with 10-30 grey reef, white-tip reef, silver tip sharks
The reef top here is cut with an incredible maze of caves, tunnels and swim throughs – great to poke around to discover fish and other critters. Or venture beyond the shallows to a wall descending to around 1000m, where you can find sharks and barracuda.
The reef top descends to a spectacular terrace of hard corals at 20-30m before edging over into an abyss hundreds of metres deep. Sea fans and soft corals adorn the reef wall where sharks also patrol.
Dive Boats Specifications
Instruments on Board
If you wish to rent any dive equipment then you can choose from the entire range of equipment. From BCD’s (Aqualung Wave), Regulators, computers and dive lights and snorkel gear.
By law all regulators and BCD’s provided by the dive operators have to be serviced every 6 months, so you can be rest assured that any equipment you rent will be safe and serviced. It is strongly recommended that if you are bringing your own BCD or regulator then they should have been recently serviced within the year.
All divers are given a Nautilus Lifeline GPS (no extra rental charge), to be worn on each dive to add to the safety of each diver.
On board they have tanks compatible to European DIN and US style tank valves.
If you wish to hire an underwater camera, download and edit photos onto CD’s and DVDs then these are also available.
If you are a rebreather diver then please advise the tour organisers and they will forward pre-tour paperwork and ensure that they can support you on the trip
Rebreather services include
Please note: There is a ‘buddy only’ policy for rebreathers and decompression diving so no solo diving is allowed on this trip.
In the main saloon you have access to a computer (Windows)
Win a free dive trip by entering the Guest Underwater Photo Competition that is run on every expedition.
Note: remember to bring adaptors for the electrical sockets to suit your chargers and USB digital memory card readers.
Bring your nitrox certification card – or take a course and learn on board! Nitrox tanks and fills are available on board (at extra cost).
Your diving day will consist of:
You are offered guided dives with an experienced Dive Master who knows the area and the dives sites well, or if you prefer you can dive with your buddy.
Meals provided on board:
View more Cairns dive boat tours and Marine Life Encounter trips.
Informative information on watching whales and swimming whales on our blog.
Cairns
6:00pm
August - January
Thursday
2024 Departure dates: 2nd May 3 seats left, 9th May, 16th May, 23rd May, 12th September, 26th September, 3rd October, 12th December
2025 Departure dates: Jan 2nd 9th 23rd , May 1st 8th 15th 22nd , September 4th 18th , October 2nd 16th , December 11th
2026 Departure dates: Jan 8th 15th 22nd
7 nights
Medium, Active
Scuba Diving – minimum age 12
Scuba Diving Restrictions
Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations must be in writing.
Please note that all cancellations will incur an administration fee.
Please see our terms and conditions for details prior to booking.
Operator’s T&Cs:
Payment Schedule:
1.30% of trip fee per passenger as deposit to confirm the booking.
2.Remaining balance 30 days prior to departure date.
Cancellations by Client:
1.Cancellations must be advised in writing.
2.Less than 60 days prior to departure - forfeit 30% of trip fee per person.
3.Less than 30 days prior to departure - forfeit 100% of trip fee per person.
Cancellations by MBDE:
1.Due to weather: 85% refunded to client.
2.Refunds are issued to client via Agent, not MBDE.
Children
1.Minimum child age is 8 years. Those travelling with children are responsible for childminding.
2.Minimum age of diver is 12 years.
3.Allocation of one family with children per expedition.
Insurance should be taken to cover: weather problem; expedition cancellations; airline difficulties; medical problems and lost or damaged luggage.
Unforeseen weather or machinery problems may cause us to cancel or change an itinerary.
No refund is offered for time lost due to the medical evacuation of a guest or reduction of dives due to weather conditions.
No compensation is offered to guests to change flights or holiday plans.
DiveAssure offers cover for both Australian residents & non-residents traveling to Australia.
au$4,148.00
Prices are AUD, per adult and include all levies fees and taxes.
Tour Code: 232