Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards ...Because one day is never enough!

Nothing compares to spending time on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards.

From Cairns’ unbeatable diving and snorkelling in Far North Queensland to the picture-perfect sailing-paradise of the southerly Whitsunday Islands, our Great Barrier Reef liveaboards offer the very best Australian liveaboard experiences.

We’re here to help you get on the overnight boat trip that is perfect for you, your friends or your family.

Australia is one of the most desirable destinations to visit and spend time with. The Great Barrier Reef, located in Queensland, is the largest coral reef system on the planet and a World Heritage-listed natural wonder. Add to this Queensland’s unique lifestyle, laid-back vibe and unparalleled natural beauty, and it’s no surprise that the region enchants visitors.

Let us help you find your ideal Great Barrier Reef liveaboard adventure!

Where is the best place for snorkelling and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is enormous – reaching from Bundaberg in Southern Queensland, right past the tip of Australia. It covers 344,000 square kilometres and is roughly the same size as 70 million football fields!

It’s not surprising that one of the most common questions we receive is people asking us, ‘what is the best place for visiting the Great Barrier Reef from?’ And the answer all depends on what you’re looking for.

Major departure points for overnight boats visiting the Great Barrier Reef are Cairns, Port Douglas, Townsville and The Whitsundays (a.k.a Arlie Beach). Each has its own points of difference and attractions in its own right. Some boast the best island scenery, some the best shipwrecks and some the best coral and fish life.

Due to its huge size and varying eco-systems, we recommend anyone visiting the Great Barrier Reef see both extremes. There are breathtaking coral and marine life found in the north – on a Cairns liveaboard – and beautiful scenery on a Whitsunday Island sailing liveaboard in the south.

Quite simply, for spectacular marine life below the water, hundreds of fish and colourful coral – Cairns in Far North Queensland is the place to be. While for scenic beauty above the water – the Whitsunday Islands in Southern Queensland offers picturesque island landscapes and will be the destination for you.

For snorkeling and scuba diving activities, a good rule of thumb is the further north you travel – the denser and more vibrant the fish, coral and marine life you’ll see

Cairns is the nearest city for visiting the Great Barrier Reef

In Far North Queensland, Australia, Cairns City is the most popular starting point for those wishing to embark on an adventure of snorkelling or scuba diving on a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard.

Cairns is the nearest coastal city for visiting the Great Barrier Reef as a vibrant cultural centre in its own right. This means that for snorkelers and scuba divers wishing to experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns makes the ideal base.

Great Barrier Reef liveaboards that depart from Cairns have excellent access to areas of unparalleled, outstanding natural beauty due to its proximity to the Outer Great Barrier Reefs and northerly location.

The ‘outer’ Great Barrier Reefs are widely acknowledged as having the most beautiful aquatic life than ‘inner’ Great Barrier Reefs, which lie close to the coastline. Read more on Outer Great Barrier Reef locations vs Inner Great Barrier Reefs here.

Great Barrier Reef liveaboards are awesome for aquatic adventures.   See our fantastic choice of the best liveaboards to find the one that suits you best.

From Cairns, the most spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reefs are only a short liveaboard boat ride away. Shorter journey times mean that you get to experience a much wider range of snorkelling and scuba diving locations, spending a longer time at each reef site while you’re there.

Read More About Cairns Liveaboard Boats to the Great Barrier Reef