Watch before you choose · 3:51
Great Barrier Reef 3 Day / 2 Night Liveaboard
Underwater footage is illustrative. Marine life varies by site, season and conditions.
How are you joining?
Diving on a course? See below.-
Certified diver
Certified diver
For Open Water certified divers. Departs every day except Tuesday.
$1095*
*Goes up to $1155 for dates from 1 April
- Up to 11 dives, including 2 night dives
- All essential gear hire, including a dive computer and 5 mm wetsuit
- Nitrox available (fills are extra)
- Dive supervisors on deck watch at all times. Dives aren’t guided, but the first dive can be an orientation dive with an instructor
-
Snorkeller
Snorkeller
For snorkellers and non-divers. Departs every day except Tuesday.
$840*
*Goes up to $885 for dates from 1 April
- Snorkelling at every site, day 1 to day 3
- Snorkel gear hire: 5 mm wetsuit, mask, fins and snorkel
- Pool noodles and flotation devices, supervised by the dive deck crew
- Try scuba on the reef with Discover Scuba dives, booked and paid for on board
* Prices are per person in Australian dollars (AUD) and can change by date. Your booking shows the price for the date you choose.
Dates
Choose a date to see prices and spots left, then book.- Mon, 5 OctFrom $1095Check availability
- Mon, 5 OctFrom $840Check availability
- Wed, 7 OctFrom $1095Check availability
- Wed, 7 OctFrom $840Check availability
- Thu, 8 OctFrom $1095Check availability
- Thu, 8 OctFrom $840Check availability
- Fri, 9 OctFrom $1095Check availability
- Fri, 9 OctFrom $840Check availability
- Sat, 10 OctFrom $1095Check availability
- Sat, 10 OctFrom $840Check availability
- Sun, 11 OctFrom $1095Check availability
- Sun, 11 OctFrom $840Check availability
Prices are per person and can vary by date and option.
The boat
Scubapro
There are three Scubapro boats: SCUBAPRO I, SCUBAPRO II and SCUBAPRO III. Each is a 24-metre vessel, and they’re the only purpose-built outer-reef dive liveaboards in the area. They're light, airy and centrally air-conditioned, with one big deck for dive and snorkel gear and another just for relaxing in the sun.
Cabins sleep two. Solo travellers share a twin cabin with another guest of the same gender. Meals are buffet style and plentiful, with dessert after the night dive. Vegetarian or other dietary needs? Tell the crew at check-in.
- 24 mPurpose-built outer-reef liveaboard
- 16Cabins: 14 twin (bunks), 2 double
- 32Passengers max, plus 6 crew
- 2 decksDive deck and sun deck
- A/CCentrally air-conditioned
- 8Shared bathrooms, one per two cabins
What you might see
- Green turtleThe turtle you’ll meet most on the reef: grazing on the shallows, resting under ledges, surfacing to breathe beside the boat.
- Loggerhead turtleThe big-headed turtle of the reef, with a crushing beak for crabs and shellfish. Regulars at Coral Gardens and Milln Reef.
- Whitetip reef sharkThe slender shark asleep under the ledge. Harmless, curious at night, and a resident at several of our sites.
- Potato codThe famous friendly giants of the Cod Hole on the Ribbon Reefs, a liveaboard highlight north of Cairns.
- BarracudaSilver schools that hang in the blue off the bommies, sometimes hundreds thick, with a few solitary big ones.
- ParrotfishFrom the crunching schools of bumpheads to the sleeping bags of mucus at night, parrotfish are the reef’s builders and gardeners.
- SweetlipsStriped, spotted and thick-lipped, hanging in patient schools under the overhangs by day.
- Giant clamMetre-wide shells with mantles of electric blue, green and purple, some of them a century old.
What is the Cairns 3-day, 2-night liveaboard?
The 3-day, 2-night liveaboard is three days living on the outer Great Barrier Reef, departing Cairns every day except Tuesday. Certified divers make up to 11 dives, including two night dives, across 16 sites on four reefs that only this boat visits. Snorkellers travel on the same trip, and students complete Open Water, Advanced, Nitrox and Rescue courses on board, so a mixed group can book the same dates. The boat is a 24-metre purpose-built reef liveaboard with 16 cabins (14 twin-bunk and 2 double), 32 passengers and 6 crew, central air-conditioning, a dive deck and a sun deck, and eight shared bathrooms, one per two cabins. Meals on board are included. Pick the certified diver or snorkeller option when you book, then add a course from the list below if you want to train on the trip.
Your cabin
- Twin cabin14 per boat, with bunk beds. Travelling solo? You share with another guest of the same gender.
- Double cabin2 per boat, same price as a twin. They go first come, first served, so ask when you book.
- BathroomsNo ensuites: 8 shared toilet and shower rooms. Sheets and blankets are supplied; bring your own towels.
- Power and airEvery cabin has a 240 V power outlet, and the boat is centrally air-conditioned.
The reefs
- Flynn ReefOne of the most popular: walls, swim-throughs and overhangs at sites like Tracy’s Bommie, Gordon’s Mooring, Tennis Court and Coral Gardens.
- Milln ReefWhale Bommie, Petaj, the Swimming Pools and Fish Town. Resident turtles and whitetip reef sharks, and great night diving.
- Thetford ReefCoral bommies, walls and swim-throughs, with Cathedral and Blue Lagoon the favourites. Visited in milder weather.
- Pellowe ReefSmall and isolated near the edge of the continental shelf, with walls to 30 metres and the chance of big pelagic fish. Fine days only.
Sixteen dive sites across these four outer reefs. Which reefs you visit depends on the weather.
What’s included
- TransfersReturn transfers from Cairns city accommodation
- 2 nights on boardTwin share cabins, with bed linen (no bath towels)
- All meals on boardBreakfast, lunch and a hot dinner, with dessert after the night dive
- Gear hireDivers: essential dive gear, including a dive computer and 5 mm wetsuit. Snorkellers: 5 mm wetsuit, mask, fins and snorkel.
- Prescription masksIf you need one
- Up to 11 divesCertified divers, including 2 night dives
Not included
- Flights and accommodationFlights to and from Cairns, and accommodation in Cairns.
- Reef levy and fuel levyPaid at check-in, per person. They’re set each year: see the current reef levy and fuel levy.
- Nitrox fillsCertified nitrox divers only.
- Camera hireNone is available on board.
- Dive medicalIf you need one.
- Travel and trip-cancellation insuranceNot included.
- Towels and toiletriesBring your own deck and bath towels, and toiletries.
- Discover Scuba divesFor snorkellers who want to try scuba. Booked and paid for on board.
- Northern Beaches pickups$25 each way, as far as Palm Cove.
Your three days — certified divers
- Day 1Out to the outer reef
5:45 am Free pickup from your Cairns city accommodation
6:15 am Check in at the Pro Dive Cairns retail shop
7:00 am Depart Cairns. Light breakfast on board.
11:30 am Dive 1. If you haven't dived in a while, do it as an orientation dive with an instructor.
2:30 pm Dive 2, then the boat moves to the next site
4:30 pm Dive 3
7:30 pm Night dive, usually at the afternoon site. Look for sleeping turtles and the odd reef shark. Dessert follows. - Day 2A full day at sea
7:00 am Early dive at a new site, before a hot breakfast
10:30 am Dive 2 at another site
3:00 pm Dive 3, after lunch and a snorkel
7:30 pm Second night dive - Day 3Morning dives, back to Cairns
6:30 am First dive of the day
9:00 am Dive 2 at the last site of the trip
11:00 am Your last dive. Out of the water by about 12:30 pm, with sandwiches as the boat heads home.
4:00 pm Free transfer back to your accommodation
7:30 pm Optional farewell dinner with the crew and other passengers (extra cost)
Times are a guide. The skipper changes the order of sites to suit the weather, tides and currents. Dives aren't guided: the dive supervisor gives a full briefing before every dive, and first-time night divers get guidance on their first night dive. Travelling alone? We'll arrange a buddy.
Your three days — snorkellers
- Day 1Out to the outer reef
5:45 am Free pickup from your Cairns city accommodation
6:15 am Check in at the Pro Dive Cairns retail shop
7:00 am Depart Cairns. Light breakfast on board.
11:30 am First snorkel site, then lunch
2:30 pm Second snorkel site
Afternoon More snorkelling, or try a Discover Scuba dive
Evening Dinner and dessert. Night snorkelling isn't available. - Day 2New sites, try scuba
7:00 am The boat moves to a new site, then a hot breakfast
10:30 am On to another site
3:00 pm More snorkelling after lunch
Try Discover Scuba if you'd like to breathe underwater with an instructor. - Day 3Last snorkel, back to Cairns
7:30 am Hot breakfast
9:00 am The last site of the trip
11:00 am Last chance to snorkel, until about 12:30 pm. Sandwiches as the boat heads home.
4:00 pm Free transfer back to your accommodation
Discover Scuba lets you try diving with an instructor without being certified. You can do several on this trip. There are minimum requirements to take part. Book and pay on board.
Requirements
Certified divers
- Minimum certification: Open Water, or CMAS 1* (unsupervised).
- Bring your internationally recognised certification card (physical or electronic). The crew must see it before you can dive.
- Complete and sign the waiver release and indemnity deed, and bring a copy to check-in.
Snorkellers
- No experience needed, but you must be able to swim.
- Under 15s need a parent or guardian with them.
- Discover Scuba dives have minimum requirements. Ask the crew on board.
Age
- The minimum age on the boat is 7.
- Children under 15 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. There's no child minding.
Diabetes
- You need an up-to-date dive medical saying you're fit to dive with your condition.
- Diabetic divers are limited to 2 dives a day, with at least 2 hours between dives.
Rusty?
- If you haven't dived for a while, a 2-hour pool refresher before the trip gets you back up to speed.
Each trip operator’s own medical and waiver requirements are emailed with your booking confirmation. About dive medicals.
Frequently asked questions
Can snorkellers and divers go on the same trip?
Yes. Snorkellers, certified divers and students doing courses all travel on the same boat and dates. Your friend or partner can snorkel while you dive, and there's plenty of time to hang out between dives. See snorkelling the reef.
Are the dives guided?
No. Individually guided dives aren't usual here, and the reefs are easy to navigate. The dive supervisor gives a full briefing before every dive. If you're rusty, your first dive can be an orientation dive with an instructor, and first-time night divers get guidance on their first night dive.
What if I'm travelling alone?
We'll arrange a dive buddy for you, and you'll share a twin cabin with another guest of the same gender.
How many people are on the boat?
A maximum of 32 passengers plus 6 crew. You'll be with a mix of snorkellers, certified divers and students doing courses such as Open Water, Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster.
What are the cabins like?
Each boat has 14 twin-share bunk cabins and 2 double-bed cabins, at the same cost. Double cabins go first come, first served. There are 8 shared bathrooms, and every cabin has a 240 V power outlet.
How deep will I dive?
The Great Barrier Reef isn't a deep-diving destination. The sites range from 10 to 25 metres, and the best diving is usually between 10 and 15 metres, so there's plenty for every certified diver.
Can I bring my own gear?
Yes, everything except weights and tanks. The boat has DIN and yoke first stages, so tell the crew which you need at check-in. We always recommend bringing your own mask and snorkel. There are a few open-heel fins on board if you bring boots; boots aren't available to hire.
Can I dive on nitrox?
Yes, if you're nitrox certified. Nitrox fills are an extra cost. Not certified yet? Do the nitrox course on this trip.
Can you cater for my diet?
Meals are buffet style with plenty of fresh fruit and salad. There's gluten-free bread and pasta and soy milk, and the kitchen can cater for peanut and seafood allergies. Tell the crew at check-in. If you're vegan or gluten-free, bring snacks that don't need a fridge, as fridge space is tight.
What should I bring?
Two towels (one for after diving, one for the shower), swimwear, casual clothes for three days, a long-sleeved top for the air-conditioning, something warm for the evenings, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and toiletries. Divers: your certification card and logbook. Leave sleeping bags and bulky luggage behind.
Are there box jellyfish on the reef?
No. Stingers live along the coast and in estuaries and aren't found on the outer reef, so they're no threat to divers or snorkellers out there.
Are there sharks?
Yes, as in every ocean. The ones you're most likely to see are smaller species that pose no threat to divers or snorkellers. Great white sharks don't live in Far North Queensland.
When is the best time of year?
Any time. The water is 22–28 °C year-round.
Summer (Dec–Feb): about 29 °C, excellent visibility, generally calm
Autumn (Mar–May): 25–27 °C, good visibility
Winter (Jun–Aug): 22–24 °C, good visibility, minke whales
Spring (Sep–Nov): 25–27 °C, excellent visibility, coral spawning in November
What if I fail my dive medical?
You can join the trip as a snorkeller instead.
Terms and conditions
- Certified diverRead the terms and conditions
- SnorkellerRead the terms and conditions
