Divers Den OceanQuest 3-Night Liveaboard

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Three nights on the outer Great Barrier Reef from Cairns aboard the liveaboard vessel OceanQuest, diving and snorkelling the best outer reef sites by day and sleeping on board, with snorkel, intro dive and certified dive options.

Days

4 days, 3 nights

Age

Adults only

Group size

Up to 44 guests (18 twin, 4 double cabins)

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Three nights on board OceanQuest in air-conditioned cabins with en suites

Transport

35 m liveaboard dive catamaran, with Cairns CBD transfers

Meals

All meals on board, plus water, tea and coffee

Route

Map of Divers Den OceanQuest 3-Night Liveaboard

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Included experiences

Norman Reef — diving and snorkelling
Saxon Reef — diving and snorkelling
Hastings Reef — selected dive sites
Sharks in the Dark — night dive
On board — dive training with instructors

Divers Den OceanQuest 3-Night Liveaboard

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

You are collected from your Cairns city accommodation and taken to the marina for the run of about 90 minutes out to the outer Great Barrier Reef, more than 2,300 km long and World Heritage-listed since 1981. Your home for three nights is OceanQuest, a three-deck, 35 metre catamaran built for diving, with 18 twin and four double cabins, all air-conditioned with their own ensuite. Once you have settled in, the first sessions begin. Snorkelling is included for everyone, and certified divers have up to 14 dives over the trip, with all the gear, dive computer and air fills included.

Overnight: On board OceanQuest, outer Great Barrier Reef

DAYS 2 AND 3: LIFE ON THE REEF

The days fall into a happy rhythm: dive or snorkel, eat, rest on the sundeck, and go again. OceanQuest holds more than 14 permanent moorings on Norman Reef and Saxon Reef, plus selected sites on Hastings Reef, so the crew can move to whichever sites suit the weather and current. Look for clownfish in their anemones (all born male, the largest turns female), green turtles resting on the coral and the humphead Maori wrasse, which can grow to two metres and live for 30 years. The chef cooks every meal on board, from hearty breakfasts to dinner and dessert after your last dive.

Overnight: On board OceanQuest, outer Great Barrier Reef

NIGHTS ON BOARD

Evenings on a liveaboard are what make it special. Sharks in the Dark is included: a night dive when white-tip reef sharks, which spend the day resting on the sand, come out to hunt. Fluoro Diving is an extra cost, using blue torches that make the coral glow green, yellow and pink. Or skip the water and relax in the lounge and bar, with drinks charged as you go. With no city lights out here, the stars over the reef on a clear night are worth a late one on deck.

DAY 4: BACK TO CAIRNS

There is time for a final morning in the water before you pack up, check out of your cabin and make the run back to Cairns, where you are dropped at your city accommodation. Remember that you should not fly for a day after diving, so it is worth planning a quiet day in Cairns before your flight home.

Map

Good to know

Minimum age: Adults only.
Accommodation note: OceanQuest has 18 twin cabins and four double cabins, all air-conditioned with en suite bathrooms.
Please note: All scuba participants must meet the medical questionnaire requirements; some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving, so check before booking.

What to bring

Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Swimsuit and towel
Overnight bag with changes of clothing, including warm clothes and socks for the night
Toiletries
Reusable water bottle

What is included

Transfers from Cairns CBD accommodation
Three nights on board OceanQuest in an air-conditioned cabin with en suite
Up to 14 certified dives, or snorkelling
Snorkelling for all passengers
Snorkelling and scuba equipment, including dive computer and air fills, with full tuition
Sharks in the Dark night dive
All meals on board, plus chilled water, tea and coffee

Not included

Guided certified dives and extra dives (subject to availability)
Nitrox fills and the PADI Nitrox Dive Course
Fluoro Diving
Digital camera hire and professional photos
Soft drinks, alcohol and snacks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Four days and three nights scuba diving on OceanQuest. I'm not as mobile as I was, and a crew member helped carry my tank and kit up and down the stairs every time. Stunning coral and fish, turtles and reef sharks.

Jackie White Verified· Travelled 7th September 2026

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(5/5)

Just finished three nights and four days on the liveaboard, doing our advanced certificate and three night dives. Our divemaster Thom and the crew helped us, as fairly new divers, feel safe and grow our skills. It changed how we dive.

Jill Rhodes Verified· Travelled 21st July 2026

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