Rum Runner Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard - Snorkelling

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A 2 day, 1 night Great Barrier Reef snorkelling liveaboard on the Rum Runner, a 66-foot motor sailing schooner, with six snorkelling sessions at Thetford Reef and a night at anchor on the reef.

Days

2 days, 1 night (32 hours)

Age

10 and over

Group size

Max 16 guests

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns
Cairns, 3pm on day 2

Return

Cairns, 3pm on day 2

Accommodation

On board in twin or 4-share cabins with single bunks, shared bathrooms

Transport

Rum Runner, a 66-foot motor sailing schooner, from Marlin Marina

Meals

Dinner, breakfast and lunch on board

Route

Map of Rum Runner Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard - Snorkelling

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Included experiences

Thetford Reef — 6 snorkelling sessions
The Labyrinth and Coral Gardens — shallow coral and pinnacles
Hurricane Bay — swim-throughs and caverns
On deck — help hoist the sails
Night at anchor — sunset dinner and stars over the reef
Sail back — watch for dolphins and whales

Rum Runner Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard - Snorkelling

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Be at Marlin Marina in Cairns by 7am, where the Rum Runner is tied up on E finger, Berth 3, ready for an early start. She is a 66-foot motor sailing schooner built in 1984, and she sails with no more than 16 guests. On the way out the crew runs through the trip and the safety briefing and sorts everyone's gear, so you are ready to go in the moment you arrive. Want to help? Grab a line and hoist a sail alongside the crew. The Great Barrier Reef stretches 2,300 km down the Queensland coast and has been World Heritage-listed since 1981.

DAY 1: AFTERNOON ON THETFORD REEF

You reach Thetford Reef on the outer reef at about 11am, and it is straight into the water. The afternoon brings four snorkelling sessions at different sites, among them The Labyrinth, the Lagoon, Hurricane Bay and Coral Gardens. Expect shallow coral gardens near the surface, isolated pinnacles rising from deeper water, and walls that drop away into blue. Look for green turtles grazing, giant clams with their bright mantles, and parrotfish crunching coral. You can float over the divers below and watch their bubbles rise. The crew briefs every site before you go in, and a wetsuit and all your snorkel gear are supplied.

DAY 1: SUNSET AND A NIGHT AT ANCHOR

Dinner is served on deck as the sun sets behind the mountains above Cairns, the same ranges you sailed away from that morning. Then the boat moves to the crew's protected night mooring, where the water stays calm. Evenings are easy: a chat, a few drinks with the people you have spent the day in the water with, and on a clear night more stars than most city people have ever seen, with no lights anywhere on the horizon. Your bunk is in a twin or four-share cabin below.

Overnight: On board the Rum Runner, at anchor on the reef (twin or 4-share cabin)

DAY 2: MORNING ON THE REEF AND THE SAIL HOME

Day two starts early with a snorkel in the soft morning light, before a hearty breakfast and one more session, which takes in the reef's swim-throughs and caverns from above. After a quick lunch the Rum Runner leaves the reef before noon. On the sail back, keep watch for dolphins and, in the cooler months, humpback whales heading north to calve. Ahead rise Queensland's highest mountains, Bartle Frere at 1,622 metres and Bellenden Ker beside it, usually with cloud on top. Swap photos and videos on deck, or just stretch out, until you tie up in Cairns at about 3pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Rum Runner office, Marlin Marina, E finger, Berth 3, Cairns, by 7am.
Departure time: About 7:30am.
Finishes: Back in Cairns at 3pm on day 2.
Minimum age: 10 years.
Accommodation note: The boat takes up to 16 guests in twin and 4-share cabins with single bunks. Cabins are not spacious or very private — they are for resting and sleeping. There are dining and covered and open deck areas, USB and 240V outlets, and hot water in separate male and female toilet and shower cubicles. Rum Runner is comfortable but by no means a luxury boat.

What is included

Snorkelling sessions at Thetford Reef
Wetsuit and snorkel gear
One night on board in a twin or 4-share cabin
Dinner, breakfast and lunch on board

Not included

Government reef levy, $40 per person ($20 per person per day), payable on board
Bar purchases such as bottled water and soft drinks

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

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.

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.

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.

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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)

We did the overnight trip as snorkellers and there was plenty of coral and fish to see. It's simple backpacker-style bunks, a bit rough around the edges, which suited us, with a friendly crew, plentiful food and JP's after-dinner show as the highlight.

jeremycphillipps Verified· Travelled 8th July 2025

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(5/5)

We did snorkelling only on the two-day trip because our kids are five and seven, and every site was great. The crew gave us a wonderful family experience, with good food and simple but comfortable bunks.

Stephen Henderson Verified· Travelled 25th June 2023

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