Route Description - Minke Whale Expeditions from Cairns
Four-day, four-night Minke whale expeditions are operated annually during June and July. With limited spaces available, these trips tend to sell out quickly!
With a success rate of over 90% for close sightings during the Minke whale season, interactions with these majestic creatures can last two hours or more. These extraordinary encounters occur only during the peak of their migration in June and July.
Expeditions depart from Cairns and are open to both snorkellers and divers, with all whale interactions carefully regulated. Dwarf Minke whales can grow up to 8 metres (26 feet) and weigh around 6 tonnes, offering an awe-inspiring experience that guests will remember for a lifetime.
Day 1 – Departure and Outer Reef Exploration
Guests check in either at the dive centre or directly aboard OceanQuest (specific details are provided upon booking confirmation). The journey begins with two dives at either Saxon or Norman Reef, followed by an afternoon dive and a night dive. The vessel then cruises overnight to the Ribbon Reefs.
Day 2 – Diving at Steve’s Bommie and Ribbon Reefs
The day starts with sunrise over the Great Barrier Reef at Steve’s Bommie—renowned for its vibrant marine life including schools of fish, sharks, rays, clownfish, and octopuses. The itinerary includes four dives: two at Steve’s Bommie and two additional dives (one of them a night dive) at other sites along the upper Ribbon Reefs.
Day 3 – Minke Whale Encounters and Remote Reef Exploration
The day features four dives along the pristine Ribbon Reefs. The two morning dives are scheduled at Lighthouse Bommie, a hotspot for Minke whale interactions. An afternoon dive and a night dive follow, providing more opportunities to explore the region’s biodiversity.
Day 4 – Remote Reef Diving and Overnight Return
Guests enjoy four more dives at various remote Ribbon Reef sites—two in the morning, one in the afternoon, and a final night dive. These rarely visited locations offer encounters with tropical fish species and vibrant coral landscapes. After the night dive, the vessel begins its return journey south towards Cairns.
Day 5 – Return to Cairns
After breakfast, guests disembark OceanQuest and are transferred to their Cairns city accommodation around 9:00 AM, leaving ample time to enjoy other activities for the rest of the day.
Note: The itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and ocean conditions. The dive schedule is designed to maximize potential in-water interactions with Minke whales.