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

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

A liveaboard is a boat or ship used as a floating accommodation while exploring the Great Barrier Reef. These liveaboards offer scuba diving and snorkelling trips to the Great Barrier Reef and allow travellers to experience the beauty of the Reef up close. Many liveaboards also offer onboard amenities such as comfortable cabins, meals, and recreational activities. The length of the trips can vary, with options ranging from a few days to several weeks.

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 best Australian liveaboard experiences.

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

Australia is among the most desirable destinations to visit and spend time with. The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is the largest coral Reef system 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!

Activities onboard our Great Barrier Reef liveaboards

Great Barrier Reef Marine Life

The Great Barrier Reef is home to an incredibly diverse array of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, over 200 species of birds, and numerous sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and sharks.

The reef is also home to various coral species, including hard and soft corals and many other invertebrates, such as starfish, sea urchins, and cucumbers.

The Great Barrier Reef is a critical habitat for many species, providing food, shelter, and breeding grounds for countless marine creatures. Its biodiversity and ecological importance make the Great Barrier Reef one of the world’s most important natural wonders and a top scuba diving and snorkelling destination.

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!

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common questions we receive is people asking us, ‘what is the best place to visit 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 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 ecosystems, 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.

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 offer picturesque island landscapes and will be your destination.

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

Liveaboards on the Great Barrier Reef offer an immersive experience of the world’s largest coral reef system.

These boats serve as floating accommodations and take travellers to remote areas of the Great Barrier Reef that are only accessible by boat.

Liveaboards typically offer diving and snorkelling trips, allowing visitors to explore the underwater world of the reef and encounter its diverse array of marine life.

Most liveaboards offer comfortable cabins, meals, and recreational activities, making them a popular choice for those looking for an adventure-filled holiday. Trip lengths can vary, ranging from a few days to several weeks.

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 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 the ‘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.

The most spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reefs from Cairns is a short liveaboard boat ride away. Shorter journey times mean you 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