Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards
Because one day on the reef is never enough. Compare liveaboards from Cairns and the Whitsundays and book with no booking fees.
Choose your Great Barrier Reef liveaboard
Dreaming of falling asleep out on the reef, then slipping into the water before the day boats arrive?
You're in the right place. Here's every liveaboard we can book for you, grouped the way most people choose. Tap any trip to see live prices, dates and what's included.
3 to 7 nights
Coral Sea and Ribbon Reefs expeditions
For keen divers who want the remote northern reefs, including the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and the Coral Sea.
- Spirit of Freedom 3 night liveaboard
- Spirit of Freedom 4 night liveaboard
- Spirit of Freedom 7 night liveaboard
1 to 3 nights from Cairns
Cairns Outer Reef liveaboards
Great for snorkellers, certified divers and first-timers who want more than a day trip.
- Coral Sea Dreaming
- Ocean Quest 2 day liveaboard
- Pro Dive Cairns 3 day liveaboard
- Ocean Quest 3 day liveaboard
- Ocean Quest 4 day liveaboard
PADI courses
Learn to dive on the reef
Get your PADI certification and do your training dives out on the Great Barrier Reef, not in a pool back home.
- Ocean Quest 4-Day PADI Open Water Course
- Pro Dive Cairns 4-Day PADI Open Water Course
- Pro Dive Cairns PADI 5 Day Learn to Dive
- PADI Advanced Course, 2 days 1 night
Whitsunday Islands
Whitsundays sailing and Reef Sleep
Sail the Whitsunday Islands, swim at Whitehaven Beach and fall asleep under the stars.
- Prima Whitsundays sailing, 2 days 1 night
- Solway Voyager tall ship, 3 days
- Reef Sleep, a night out on the reef
- Whitsundays Adventure Snorkel, 2 nights
- New Horizon sailing tour
- Entice sail and snorkel, 2 nights
- Summer Jo sailing adventure
Compare every liveaboard: live prices and dates
Entice Whitsunday Islands Sail and Snorkel 2-Night
2 Day, 2-Night Whitsunday Islands Sail...
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New Horizon 2 Day Whitsunday Islands Sailing Tour
Cruise the beautiful Whitsundays from Airlie...
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Whitsundays Adventure Snorkel Liveaboard (2 Nights)
Our 2-night Whitsundays Adventure Snorkel Liveaboard...
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Solway Voyager Whitsundays 3 Day Sailing Adventure on a Majestic Tall Ship
Join us aboard our 4 days...
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Great Barrier Reef Liveaboards ...Because one day is never enough!
Quick answers
“It’s my first liveaboard and I just want to snorkel. Where do I start?”
A short trip from Cairns, like Coral Sea Dreaming or Ocean Quest 2 day, gives you a night on the Outer Reef without a big commitment.
“I’m a certified diver and I want the best diving.”
Spirit of Freedom’s 3, 4 and 7 night trips head north to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and the Coral Sea.
“I want to learn to dive on the reef, not in a pool back home.”
Pro Dive Cairns and Ocean Quest both run 4-day PADI Open Water courses that include dives on the Great Barrier Reef.
Ocean Quest 4-Day PADI course · Pro Dive Cairns 4-Day PADI course
“We’re staying in Airlie Beach. Is there a liveaboard from there?”
Yes. Choose a Whitsundays sailing trip, or Reef Sleep for a night out on the reef.
“When is the best time to go?”
Each trip page shows its departure dates. To choose a season, our reef weather guide covers what to expect month by month.
“Are there any extra fees?”
Hot Getaways adds no booking fee on top of the operator’s price. Some operators also collect a reef levy or other charge, so check the trip page before you book.
Why book with us
- Australian owned, based in CairnsWe live and work right next door to the reef.
- No booking feeYou pay the operator’s price. We don’t add anything on top.
- Talk to a real personCall us on +61 7 4051 5777 and we’ll help you choose.
- Honest recommendationsWe earn a commission from the operator, and it never decides which trips we list.
