• Our Cairns dive trip is the ultimate 4 day dive trip to the Coral Sea to see some of the most amazing reef sites and marine life in the world
• The marine life interactions on our 4 day Coral Sea liveaboard dive trip are spectacular to say the least. Hammer Head sharks, Gardens Eels, Barracuda, Stingrays, huge Maori Wrasse and giant Potato Cod, Olive Sea snakes, reef sharks and so much more
• Seeing some of the largest coral bommies in the world, massive plate corals, wall dives, cave dives and massive drop offs from the edge of the famous World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef 
• Another bonus on our 4 day Cairns dive tour is the low level scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef from Lizard Island back to Cairns
• Dive with packs of Sharks and take selfies with the palyful Maori Wrasse and giant Potato Cod
• We have the world famous shark feeding dive where divers sit with backs to a coral wall as sharks of all kinds circle above in a feeding frenzy

Cairns liveaboard dive tours. Fulfill your dream of a lifetime and experience diving on the Great Barrier Reef on this Fly Dive Coral Sea expedition from Cairns. Spend 4 luxury nights on board the best and most awarded liveaboard diving vessel in the country and 14 amazing dives.

What to Expect

On this Cairns Liveaboard Dive Expedition, you’ll spend 4 amazing nights exploring some of the most renowned dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. With 14 dives planned, including day and night dives, you'll witness incredible marine life up close, from the thrill of shark diving to exploring breathtaking coral walls and swim-throughs. The expedition offers plenty of heart-racing moments, including two unique shark dives: a shark observation dive and a thrilling shark feed dive, where you may encounter up to 40 sharks at once.

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

• 2025 Departure dates: 2^nd & 9^th January, 16^th January SOLD OUT, 23^rd January, 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: 8th, 15th, 22nd January, 23^rd April, 13^th August, 3^rd 17^th & 24^th September, 1^st & 29^th October, 10^th & 17^th December

Shark Diving On The Great Barrier Reef

Clear water, plummeting walls and exciting and terrifying Shark Dives make this liveaboard dive expedition from Cairns one of adventure and excitement. This liveaboard dive trip from Cairns offers two shark attraction dives: a shark observation dive with around 10 sharks; an exhilarating shark feed with up to 40 sharks.

See the wonders of famous Great Barrier Reef dive sites such as Cod Hole and the Snake Pit, before moving on to the pristine North Coral Sea dive sites for some great shark action and amazing diversity.

Your Cairns and Great Barrier Reef dive guides are all highly experienced and know the dive sites well. Our liveaboard dive tour company is known for our high standard on diver safety and first class service and have achieved many awards in recognition of this.

You'll board the liveaboard vessel at Cairns Marina in the late afternoon, where the crew will welcome you and show you to your cabin, equipped with ensuite bathrooms and a range of bedding options to suit your preferences. At sunset, the boat departs Cairns, cruising north toward the remote Osprey Reef and Ribbon Reefs, known for pristine conditions and abundant marine life.

Throughout the trip, divers will be accompanied by highly experienced guides who prioritize safety while ensuring you have a first-class diving experience. Non-divers can enjoy snorkelling or relaxing on the boat’s spacious lounge and sun deck. Meals onboard are prepared by top chefs, ensuring your comfort and satisfaction between dives.

Features and Highlights

Shark Diving at North Horn – Osprey Reef

One of the standout experiences on this dive trip is shark diving at North Horn, a site famous for shark activity. You’ll witness a controlled shark feed, surrounded by grey reef, white-tip reef, and silvertip sharks. The shark action at North Horn is one of the most exhilarating aspects of the expedition, with sharks swimming just feet away.

World-Famous Dive Sites

• Cod Hole: The legendary Cod Hole is one of the most iconic dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef, home to giant Potato Cod and Maori Wrasse. These friendly fish are often curious about divers and provide plenty of opportunities for close encounters and underwater photography.
• Fairy Grotto (Osprey Reef): Explore a magical underwater terrain, complete with large coral bommies and swim-throughs. The site offers impressive topography and is teeming with life, including reef sharks and schools of fish.
• Admiralty Anchor (Osprey Reef): Swim through canyons and gullies at this dramatic dive site, where coral bommies rise from the depths. Sharks and schooling fish such as barracuda and trevally add to the excitement of this site.
• False Entrance (Osprey Reef): This U-shaped gully is a photographer’s paradise, offering a striking variety of soft corals, schooling fish, and even passing Hammerhead sharks during the cooler months.

Bougainville Reef Wreck Diving

• MV Antonio Tarabocchia (Bougainville Reef): This wreck site offers a glimpse into the past, with scattered remains of the 1961 shipwreck providing a unique backdrop for your dive. The crystal-clear waters around the wreck host diverse marine life, including potato cod and trevally.

Scenic Flight from Lizard Island

A true highlight of this dive trip is the scenic flight from Lizard Island back to Cairns, providing breathtaking views over the Great Barrier Reef. After disembarking at Lizard Island, you’ll enjoy a low-level flight at 180 meters (600 feet) above sea level, offering incredible views of Endeavor Reef, Cape Tribulation, and the Daintree Rainforest. The combination of reef and rainforest scenery is something you won’t soon forget.

Diving for All Levels

This liveaboard dive trip welcomes certified divers aged 12 and over, while non-divers are also encouraged to join the trip and enjoy snorkelling opportunities or simply relax onboard. The boat offers Nitrox support for certified divers, and there’s even the option to complete a Nitrox certification course during the trip.

For the photography enthusiasts, the boat is fully equipped with multi-level camera tables, dedicated rinse tanks, and charging stations to cater to all your photographic needs.

Sample Dive Sites

• Western Wall (Osprey Reef): Drift along this spectacular wall, which drops over 1,000 meters. The overhangs and grottos are lined with soft corals and sea fans, and the wall is frequented by reef sharks, tuna, and barracuda.
• Crystal Plateau (Bougainville Reef): This terrace of hard corals descends into the abyss, offering divers the chance to see large pelagics and colourful coral formations.
• Dungeons & Dragons (Bougainville Reef): Explore a maze of caves and tunnels at this dramatic dive site, where you’ll encounter everything from schooling fish to sharks and barracuda.

Important Information

• Departure Dates: Limited seats available for 2024 and 2025, with various departure dates across the year. Early booking is highly recommended to secure your spot on this adventure.
• Who Can Join: Certified divers aged 12 and older can join this trip. Children over 8 are welcome on board for snorkelling and other activities. This trip is ideal for experienced divers due to the depth and drift dives involved.

This Cairns Liveaboard Dive Safari offers a rare opportunity to explore some of the most pristine and remote areas of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. From breathtaking shark encounters to diving wrecks and exploring stunning coral formations, this trip promises to be the adventure of a lifetime. With 14 dives, luxurious accommodation, and unforgettable experiences, this is a must-do for any avid diver looking to explore the wonders of the underwater world.

See all overnight dive and snorkel tours on the Great Barrier Reef.

Read The Tour Specialists Tips and Hints on scuba diving and snorkelling on the reef. 

Learn about all the things you need to know before you go on The Tour Specialists Blog.  

Cairns Dive Tours - Nitrox - Re-Breathing

For extra safety and for longer dives the boat has nitrox (bring your certification card) and there is also a nitrox course and certification offered whilst on the trip.  If you are a re-breather diver then they have equipment and support for your re-breathing diving. We just need to be notified on booking of these extra requirements.

Cairns Dive Tours - Non Divers

If anyone in your party is a non-diver and prefers to snorkel and take it easy – there is plenty of room to relax in the large lounge area with its 2 large TV screens. Or if you prefer to soak up the tropical lifestyle outside, there is a large upper deck area with sun loungers to soak up the sun and to read a book or have a drink. 

The food on board is of the finest quality and is prepared by the top chefs on board. Anyone aged 12 and over is able to dive (with certification).

Dive operation procedures on the Great Barrier Reef are the most stringently controlled in the world for safety and hygiene and all the crew and people on board are highly trained professionals. This will ensure that your trip is memorable for all the right reasons. Read these tips about scuba diving.

You will dive 14 amazing dives – this includes your day and night dives.  The night dives will be on the dive site that you dive on in the afternoon.

Some of the most outstanding dive sites in the area are as follows:

Depending on winds, currents and season will determine which dive sites are dived on the trip. These are a sample of some of the amazing sites you will literally have on your doorstep (or giant side step!).

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours - Dive Site Features

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours - Some of the Destinations We may Dive.

Dive with Sharks

This expedition offers two shark attraction dives: a shark observation dive with around 10 sharks; an exhilarating shark feed with up to 40 sharks.

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.  Considered a highlight of the expedition.

Fairy Grotto - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

A ‘mountain range’ of big coral bommies flanked by a steep wall dropping to over a 1000 meters. The many small caverns and swim throughs at this site give it its name, the largest of which is spacious enough to fit several divers.

Western Wall - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

Drift along a sheer wall plummeting over 1000m, cut with overhangs and grottos lined with soft corals and fans.  Surgeon fish and fusiliers flow up and down the wall like waterfalls. Search for dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks, barracuda and other pelagics out in the blue.

MV Antonio Tarabocchia - Bougainville Reef - Coral Sea

This cargo ship struck the Reef in 1961. The scattered remains include a huge engine block and propeller which now lie on the gentle sloping terraces of the reef. The clear water, strewn wreckage and abundant fish life, including resident potato cod, make fantastic diving.

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 Liveaboard Dive Tours - Fairy Grotto - Coral Sea

This is indeed a magical experience as you dive the plummeting reef walls, small caverns and swim-throughs that are interspersed throughout this amazing dive located at the great Osprey Reef.  This is a dive site that will wow you with its topographical formations and is a true wonderland for divers.

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours - Admiralty Anchor - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

Is a thrilling dive site located on the western point of Osprey Reef. It will thrill you with its large sea life. The site is known for its large coral bommies that intersperse this dive site.  The gaps between these make for some great diving as you can swim between them in the natural made gullies and canyons.

Giant black coral trees, feathery corals, golden fans and red whips are just some of the coral types inhabiting the area. Sharks and schooling fish like Barracudas, Trevally, Parrotfish and Dog-toothed Tuna will thrill you as you swim amongst them.  Watch the Garden Eels waving hypnotically on the sandy bottom.

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours - False Entrance - Osprey Reef - Coral Sea

A large divide in the reef is the gap that gives the dive site this name.  A large U-shaped gully descends to a depth of 30 m from the reef lagoon area.  From the gully floor there are a large selection of bommies that rise up, making this dive site topographically interesting and highly dramatic.

False Entrance creates great photo opportunities with its colourful coral fans and whips as well as schooling Big Eye Trevally and Barracudas. In the cooler months Hammerhead sharks are known to cruise by.

Dungeons & Dragons - Bougainville - 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.

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours - North Horn - Dive With Sharks

North Horn creates a lasting memory to take home, as you scuba dive with sharks, witnessing upwards of 30 sharks milling around above your head in this well-known shark spotting place. This is a dive that will get your heart pumping! 

Don't worry we have not lost a diver yet! Safety is our number one priority at all times on our Dive with Sharks tours!

Scenic Flight From Lizard Island

End with a low level scenic flight over the reef from Lizard Island back to Cairns. Captain James Cook landed on Lizard Island in 1770, climbing to its peak to search for a way through the labyrinth of coral. He named the island after the many monitor lizards that live here.

Returning to Lizard Island

You will disembark at the exclusive Lizard Island to catch your flight back to Cairns.

You will depart back on a low level flight that will cruise at 180m (600ft) back to Cairns. Flying low will enable you to take in the wonderful sights of the Great Barrier Reef including Endeavor Reef, named for the ship that ran aground here carrying Captain James Cook.  

See the reefs dotting the Great Barrier Reef in the azure waters below and the rising of the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation in the background as you fly over the only place in the world where two world heritage sites collide in an explosion of colour and nature.

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Boat Features

• Spacious living areas including a large sundeck, alfresco deck, bar and lounge 
• Daily cabin service with a 12 person attentive crew 
• Camera table and freshwater camera rinse tanks 
• Large dive deck with custom-made entry and exit platforms
• 2 large screen TVs 
• Fully air-conditioned spaces 
• Daily presentations from a Marine Biologist 
• Nitrox available 
• 2 large inflatables for optimal dive access 
• Dive Boat Specifications
• Survey – 1B (29 pax) Commissioned 1989
• Length - 30 m (100ft) Beam – 10.5m (35ft)
• Speed – 15 knots
• Instruments on Board
• Radar
• Echo Sounder
• Global Positioning Systems x 2
• Chart Plotters x 2
• HF & VHF Radios
• 240V /110V Recharge Facilities

Equipment

If you wish to rent any dive equipment then you can choose from the entire range of equipment. From wetsuits (5mm full length), BCD’s (Aqualung Wave) and snorkel gear, dive computers, to regulators gauges and dive lights.

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:

Complimentary supply of 2L aluminium, 3L steel “on board” cylinders and 7L steel “off board” cylinders (limited supply)
MBDE Rebreather Pre-Dive Checklist for added safety
Oxygen and soda lime supplied to order (fees apply)
Extended service during Special ‘Deep Reef’ Expeditions includes:

Tri-mix rebreather service and decompression diving
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
A 3 tier camera shelf that incorporates recharging facilities,

110v (USA style - 2 prong straight pin)
240v (Australian) socket.

Special camera freshwater rinse tubs on diving deck
All cabins also have 110v and 240v charging plugs
In the main saloon you have access to a computer (Windows)
1x video/DVD player – to view videos
 2x large flat screens for viewing photographs and video
Enter the Guest Underwater Photo Competition that is run every expedition (win a free dive trip!)

Note:  Remember to bring adaptors for the electrical sockets to suit your chargers and USB digital memory card readers.

Cairns Liveaboard 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

Meals Provided On Board

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

View more Cairns Liveaboard Dive trips and swim with Minke Whale marine life encounters. and read our blog pages about whales on the Great Barrier Reef.

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

6.30pm

Departure Instructions

• Check in from 8.30am to 4.00pm at our Cairns office and then board to boat at Trinity Wharf
• Disembarks Mondays 11.45am in Cairns

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Lizard Island
• Ribbon Reef dive sites: Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Lighthouse Bommie, Goggle Gardens, Steve's Bommie

Months of Operation

August - January

Days of Operation

Thursday

2024 Departure dates: 3rd October SOLD OUT, 31st October 2 seats left, 12th December
2025 Departure dates: 2nd & 9th January, 16th January SOLD OUT, 23rd January, 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

4 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

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.
• 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