• Scuba Diving with all types of Sharks such as Hammerheads
• Seeing fish the same size as a man but playful as a puppy
• In the months of June to August the chance of snorkelling with Dwarf Minke Whales
• One of the absolute mind blowing highlights is definitley with big groups of sharks circling above you.
• Another major highlight is playing with the giant Potato Cod Fish and Maori Wrasse

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.

What to Expect

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.

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable overnight dive safari in the Coral Sea, located north of Cairns, Australia. This 7-night liveaboard dive trip will immerse you in the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, offering a variety of dive sites with unmatched marine biodiversity. You’ll have the opportunity to encounter a variety of reef sharks, swim along massive coral walls, and even take part in a thrilling shark dive.

On this overnight Cairns dive trip, the remote reefs you will visit are far from populated areas and agricultural activities, ensuring pristine conditions with exceptional underwater visibility. The liveaboard dive boat provides comfort and luxury, with plenty of space to relax between dives. As you cruise overnight, you’ll wake up at new dive sites, ready to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea.

During the June to August period, your dive safari may also include the magical experience of swimming with migrating Minke Whales and see the Humpback Whales, which come to these waters to mate and calve. Outside of this season, you can expect to see a variety of turtles, rays, trevally, barracuda, and even giant Potato Cod and Maori Wrasse.

This dive trip is ideal for experienced open water and advanced divers. With up to 26 dives scheduled over 7 nights, the trip offers some of the most exciting and awe-inspiring underwater Great Barrier Reef dive adventures.

Features and Highlights

Shark Diving at North Horn, Osprey Reef

Experience the heart-racing excitement of diving with various species of sharks, including silvertip, grey reef, white tip reef, and possibly hammerhead sharks. North Horn is known for its converging ocean currents, which attract a high concentration of pelagic life, making it one of the most spectacular shark dive sites in the Coral Sea.

World-Famous Dive Sites

• Cod Hole: One of the most famous dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef, this site offers the chance to swim alongside diver-sized Potato Cod and friendly Maori Wrasse. These fish are not only huge but also quite inquisitive, providing incredible photo opportunities.
• Steve’s Bommie: A towering coral structure rising from 30 meters to just under the surface, Steve’s Bommie is home to a variety of schooling fish, including barracuda, trevally, and mackerel. Macro photographers will love finding nudibranchs, pipefish, and scorpionfish here.
• Admiralty Anchor (Osprey Reef): This site features stunning coral formations, canyons, and gullies. The highlight is the 1,000-meter drop-off, where you might spot garden eels, schooling pelagics, and colorful soft corals.
• False Entrance (Osprey Reef): A U-shaped gully and series of bommies provide a spectacular topography for divers. Fans and soft corals cling to the reef’s walls, while schools of trevally and barracudas swim around you.

Lizard Island Stopover

Halfway through the overnight dive trips, you’ll stop at Lizard Island, where you can stretch your legs, explore Watson’s Bay, and hike to “Cook’s Lookout,” the same spot Captain Cook used to navigate through the reef in 1770. The island is rich in Aboriginal history and natural beauty, and today it’s a haven for A-list celebrities.

Marine Life Encounters

• Dwarf Minke Whales (June-August): If you’re lucky enough to dive during the migration season, you’ll witness Dwarf Minke Whales as they migrate to the Coral Sea and swim with the whales. These gentle giants often approach divers and snorkellers, creating an unforgettable encounter.
• Humpback Whales (June-August): Marvel at the sight of giant Humpback Whales as they migrate through the Coral Sea, often seen breaching or tail-slapping in the distance.
• Turtles and Rays: Six of the seven species of marine turtles can be found in these waters, along with manta and sting rays.
• Schooling Fish and Pelagics: Swim alongside massive schools of trevally, barracuda, and parrotfish, as well as the occasional Dogtooth Tuna and mackerel.

Macro Life for Underwater Photographers

For those interested in the smaller critters, the Coral Sea offers an abundance of macro life. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, moray eels, pipe horses, and colourful clownfish among the anemones.

Sample Dive Sites

• Crystal Plateau (Bougainville Reef): Descend along a terrace of hard corals, leading into a deep reef wall that’s adorned with sea fans and soft corals. Sharks and pelagic species are often seen patrolling this area.
• Pixie Pinnacle (Ribbon Reefs): This pinnacle dive is a favourite among photographers due to its dense marine life, including surgeonfish, barracuda, and trevally. Macro lovers will find scorpionfish, ghost pipefish, and the flashing flame file clam.
• Dungeons & Dragons (Bougainville Reef): A maze of caves, tunnels, and swim-throughs creates an exciting dive experience for those who like to explore. Outside the shallows, the wall drops off to 1,000 meters, where sharks and barracuda can often be seen.

Family-Friendly Adventure

This liveaboard dive trip is family-friendly, accepting children over 8 years old, with certified divers required to be over 12. Non-divers can enjoy snorkelling at the dive sites or relax on the top deck in the sun or in the comfortable lounge.

Practical Information

• Departure Dates (current as of 11/11/24):

• 2025 Departure dates: 2^nd, 9^th & 16^th January SOLD OUT, 23^rd January (1 Spot left), 1^st May SOLD OUT, 4^th & 18^th September, 2^nd & 16^th October, 30^th October SOLD OUT, 11^th December
• 2026 Departure dates: 8^th, 15^th & 22^nd January, 23^rd April, 13^th August, 3^rd, 17^th & 24^th September, 1^st & 29^th October, 10^th & 17^th December
• Water Temperature: Ranges from 22°C (71°F) in the cooler months to 30°C (86°F) in the warmer months, making it a comfortable dive destination year-round.
• Who Can Join: The trip is best suited for experienced Open Water and Advanced divers. Newly certified divers are advised to gain more experience before joining due to the depth and drift dives involved.

Dive Into the Experience of a Lifetime

This week-long adventure on the Coral Sea promises to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. From thrilling shark dives to serene coral gardens and encounters with whales, every moment on this liveaboard will leave you with incredible memories and stories to share. Book your trip today and dive into the heart of one of the most spectacular marine ecosystems in the world!

See all overnight Great Barrier Reef dive and snorkel tours from Cairns and Tropical North Queensland. View our swim with Minke Whales dive trips during the months of June & July each year.

Learn more about the Great Barrier Reef from The Tour Specialists blog.

Cairns Liveaboard Coral Sea Dive Safari – 7 Nights/26 Dives – MB7NTS

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:

World Famous Cod Hole - Great Barrier Reef

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.

Admiralty Anchor - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

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.  

False Entrance - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

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.

North Horn - Dive With Sharks - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

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.

Lizard Island - Great Barrier Reef

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.

Steve’s Bommie - Ribbon Reefs - 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. 

Coral Kingdom - Ribbon Reefs - Great Barrier Reef

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.

Pixie Pinnacle - Ribbon Reefs - Great Barrier Reef

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.

North Horn - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

Welcome to shark central!  Watch a controlled shark feed with 10-30 grey reef, white-tip reef, silver tip sharks

Dungeons & Dragons - Bougainville Reef - Coral Sea

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.

Crystal Plateau - Bougainville Reef - Coral Sea

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.

Cairns Dive Boat Features

• Daily cabin service with a 12 person highly experienced crew
• Spacious living areas including bar and lounge, a large sundeck with lounge chairs and alfresco deck
• Expansive dive deck with well-designed entry and exit platforms
• 2 large screen TVs 
• Freshwater camera rinse tanks and specially designed Camera tables with air guns
• Fully air-conditioned
• Daily presentations will be given by the safari’s Marine Biologist 
• Nitrox mix air available
• Rebreather support available
• 2 large inflatable tenders for optimal dive access 

Dive Boats Specifications

• Commissioned 1989 | Survey – 1B (29 pax)
• Speed – 15 knots
• Length - 30 m (100ft) Beam – 10.5m (35ft)

Instruments on Board

• HF & VHF Radios
• Radar
• Global Positioning Systems x 2
• Echo Sounder
• 240V /110V Recharge Facilities
• Chart Plotters x 2
• Check My Price Now Ask Questions
• PADI Advanced Diver Course
• PADI Nitrox Course
• All Scuba Gear Available for Hire
• Camera Hire

Diving Equipment

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.

Rebreathers

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

• MBDE Rebreather Pre-Dive Checklist for added safety
• Complimentary supply of 2L aluminium, 3L steel “on board” cylinders and 7L steel “off board” cylinders (limited supply)
• Extended service during Special ‘Deep Reef’ Expeditions includes:
• Tri-mix rebreather service and decompression diving
• Oxygen and soda lime supplied to order (fees apply)
• Safety diver and bailout gas ready during decompression dives
• HI 5G booster pump and fill panel
• No time limit on dives (where practical)
• Any depths will be limited to experience and qualifications

Please note: There is a ‘buddy only’ policy for rebreathers and decompression diving so no solo diving is allowed on this trip.

Photographic services on board

• 3 large camera stations with air guns
• Special camera freshwater rinse tubs on diving deck
• 1x video/DVD player – to view videos
• A 3 tier camera shelf that incorporates recharging facilities,
• 110v (USA style - 2 prong straight pin)
• 240v (Australian) socket.
• All cabins also have 110v and 240v charging plugs
• 2x large flat screens for viewing photographs and video

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.

Nitrox

Bring your nitrox certification card – or take a course and learn on board! Nitrox tanks and fills are available on board (at extra cost). 

Dive Schedule

Your diving day will consist of:

• Morning Dive
• Afternoon Dive
• Night Dive (at the same site as the afternoon dive)

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.

Liveaboard Dive Boat Meals

Meals provided on board:

• Continental Breakfast
• Full Breakfast
• Mid morning snacks and fruits available
• Lunch
• Fruit and snacks
• Dinner

View more Cairns dive boat tours and Marine Life Encounter trips.

Informative information on watching whales and swimming whales on our blog.  

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

6:00pm

Departure Instructions

• Check in before 4.00pm at our Cairns office and then board to boat at Trinity Wharf at 6.00pm
• Disembarks Thursdays 8.00am

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Lizard Island
• Ribbon Reef dive sites: Cod Hole, Coral Kingdom, Steve's Bommie, Pixie Pinnacle, False Entrance. Lizard Island, North Horn, Admiralty Anchor, Dungeons 7 Dragons, Crystal Plateau

Months of Operation

August - January

Days of Operation

Thursday

2024 Departure dates: SOLD OUT except 2 seats on 12th December
2025 Departure dates: 2nd, 9th & 15th January SOLD OUT, 23rd January limited seats left, 1st May SOLD OUT, 4th & 18th September, 2nd & 16th October, 30th October SOLD OUT, 11th December
2026 Departure dates: 8th, 15th & 22nd January, 23rd April, 13th August, 3rd, 17th & 24th September, 1st & 29th October, 10th & 17th December

Duration

7 nights

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Beverages from the bar
• Gear Hire: wetsuits, gloves, tanks, GPS, safety sausage, nitrox fills, tanks, weights, gauges, BCD, light/torch
• Note: we recommend you bring your own wetsuit, mask snorkel and fins to ensure they fit well
• Dive Courses are available on board, discuss options at time of booking
• Underwater camera hire
• Trip videos
• Underwater photography course

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

• Experience: Advanced, or 15 logged ocean dives inc. 5 in last 12 months.
• We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5:00pm Wednesday)
• Passengers MUST understand English
• The nearest hyperbaric chamber is based in Townsville
• All staff and crew are all trained in Emergency First Aid and Boat Safety.
• Ensure that all your equipment has been recently serviced. 
• Guest Dining: enjoy a sumptuous variety of meals that has earned Spoilsport an enviable reputation for catering excellence. Vegetarian, vegan and special dietary/allergy requirements are catered for with Australian and International menus using fresh local produce. Please advise if you have special dietary needs.

• Dive gear (it is possible to hire dive gear on board)
• Certification card and log book
• A luggage allowance applies to the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island: 25kg / 55lb per person plus 3kg / 6.5lb – carry on plus an additional 10kg/22lb is allowed for professional photo/video housed systems
• Excess luggage may be left at dive company office. We take care but not liability
• You should bring your own personal toiletries, hair dryer, travel adaptor and plugs, batteries, personal medication, swimming costume, rash vest, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, foot wear (sandals or tennis shoes), T-shirts, shorts, sweater and sweat pants – light weight pants and tops for the evening are a good idea. Also your wildest “loud” shirt/dress for the BBQ evening

• We seldom have children onboard however we do welcome ONE family per expedition with children minimum age 8 years
• We are unable to supply dive gear in children’s sizes
• Children must be over 12 years old and must be fully qualified