Great Barrier Reef Scuba diving tours

Immerse yourself into a world of wonder and experience the breathtaking beauty of the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. One of the seven natural wonders of the world and famous for incredible scuba diving.

With tours running every day year-round, you are sure to be accommodated for whatever your needs may be.

When visiting the reef there are two main types of trips: a day trip and an overnight trip. Which one you choose will depend on your budget and time limitations

Great Barrier Reef Day trips

A day trip to the reef will usually offer two reef locations and two opportunities to dive. There are 100s of different day trips to choose from so some things to consider are what you would like to get out of your day. Most trips offer scuba diving onboard for an extra cost and others include a dive in their package. If you are a certified diver then consider whether you would like a guide. Guides can be hired for an additional cost.

All gear including mask, snorkel, fins and all diving gear are provided, and most trips will allow you to bring your own and even set it all up for you and there’s no extra cost for tank fills.

Most operators will have an onboard photographer to capture your memories or offer hire cameras which are an average cost of $60 to rent for the day.

As you are out at the reef all day another important thing to consider is the food. Day trips are usually limited to what they can provide for lunch. Expect a selection of cold meats and salads, although there are few tours that have a BBQ on board for that all-time favourite Aussie BBQ!

Be sure to make companies aware of any dietary requirements before travelling so they are able to provide for you.

 

Great Barrier Reef Overnight trips and Liveaboards

Liveaboards are a popular choice for more avid divers that want to maximise their time in the water and see a variety of dive sites, however, they are also a great option for new divers wishing to gain more experience or do an open water course.

If you would like all the usual holiday luxuries whilst staying out on the reef then you should consider the larger boat operators as they are like floating hotels with large plush rooms, comfy beds, en-suite bathrooms and gourmet chef-prepared meals, whilst other smaller boats can only offer bunks, shared bathrooms and basic meals.

Liveaboards offer a range of different courses so you are able to expand your skills whilst you are out there. Perhaps you would like to get that next certification; Advanced or Recuse diver or maybe try your fins at Enriched air Nitrox. There’s always room for progression and you can explore those options onboard or book the course in advance, liveaboards are generally very flexible.

Most tour operators, like their day tour counterparts, will have an onboard photographer’s or offer rental cameras but it is always a good idea to check ahead. After all, you don’t want to get out there and be camera-less!

 

Great Barrier Reef locations

The Great Barrier Reef is a big place, it is made up of over 3,000 individual reefs and we know you want to go to the best spots!

Most tour boats with go to the outer reefs, and some liveaboards are able to go as far as the fringe or ribbon reefs as they have more time to do so.

The outer reefs are less visited and tend to be more pristine, they feature cascading reef walls, vibrant coral and are rich in marine life and diversity. Great Barrier Reefs are quite large and will usually have many different dive sites within them.

A liveaboard trip will give you more opportunity to explore all the different sites within the one reef, running anywhere from 4 to 6 water sessions a day.

The trips we offer are our day trip Reef Experience, this tour is all-inclusive providing you with breakfast, which is a fresh hot bacon and egg roll (veg options available) pick up and drop off shuttle bus in included also within the Cairns city area

One dive is included in the package, whether you are an introductory diver trying scuba diving for the first time or a seasoned certified diver. Another dive at the second Great Barrier Reef location is available to purchase onboard if you wish to do so.

Lunch is a delicious BBQ featuring sausages, chicken and steak along with freshly prepared buffet salads by the onboard chef.

A photographer is on board to capture those magical moments in and out of the water and rental cameras can be hired for as little as $59 and you get to keep the SD card.

Outer reef locations, stunning dive sites and a sun deck with cushioned loungers to relax on in between dives. Whatever your needs, Reef Experience has you covered…

We also run a liveaboard trip Reef Encounter if you would like to maximise your experience of the reef. Reef Encounter is not just a liveaboard it’s a floating boutique hotel featuring spacious rooms with super comfortable double and single bedrooms all with en suite bathrooms with hot showers. Onboard chef making gourmet meals just as you like it, you will think you’re in a 5-star restaurant.

Relax with a cocktail at the end of the day as Reef Encounter has a fully stocked bar and you can take you to pick of relaxing in our comfortable saloon area, cosying up on the sofas or head upstairs to the sundeck for some stargazing.

Whether you are a new diver or certified diver we have you covered, Reef Encounter offers introductory diving, introductory night diving, open water courses, advance and speciality courses as well as Nitrox courses and tanks to hire for those already certified.

Guided tours of the reef are also available on board and our friendly crew are always on-hand to help you set up a new gear or assist you with any special requirements.

Whatever you need. We’ve got you covered.