Stay out on the reef Find a liveaboard that fits your trip
A liveaboard lets you stay on the reef between dives instead of returning to Cairns each afternoon. Our selection includes OceanQuest, Pro Dive Cairns and Spirit of Freedom, with different trip lengths, cabins and reef itineraries.
Start with the number of nights you have and whether you want to snorkel or dive. OceanQuest offers stays for snorkellers and divers, while Pro Dive and Spirit of Freedom provide other dive-focused itineraries to compare. Check the experience requirements, cabin options, included dives and departure details before choosing your dates.
Compare Cairns liveaboard trips
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Liveaboard diving questions
Are Cairns liveaboards suitable for newly qualified divers?
Some are, but certification alone does not make every itinerary a suitable first liveaboard. Compare the required experience, dive conditions and availability of guides. OceanQuest and Pro Dive Cairns are useful trips to compare for outer reef diving. Remote Coral Sea itineraries have different requirements. Give the operator your certification level, logged dives and recent experience before booking.
Are all liveaboard dives guided?
No. Certified divers often dive in buddy pairs after a site briefing. Pro Dive Cairns includes selected guided dives, while most certified dives are buddy dives. OceanQuest offers guides at an additional charge. If you want a guide for every dive, confirm the arrangement and total cost before choosing your package.
Can my non-diving partner join a liveaboard?
Yes, on suitable trips. OceanQuest offers snorkelling stays, and Pro Dive Cairns has a snorkelling option for companions. Check the itinerary as well as the ticket: some sites are selected primarily for divers, and remote dive expeditions may not suit snorkellers. There is also time to relax aboard, but these trips do not provide island or beach stops.
Can I stay for one night, and how do the cabins differ?
OceanQuest offers stays from one night with ensuite cabins and transfers by day boat. Pro Dive Cairns runs a three-day, two-night itinerary with shared bathroom facilities. Spirit of Freedom offers longer itineraries and several cabin categories. Compare nights aboard, bathroom arrangements, included dives and equipment together; the lowest headline price may describe a different package.