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When one day on the reef isn’t enough, an overnight trip from Cairns provides the time and comfort to fully immerse in the Great Barrier Reef experience. Guests can explore vibrant snorkel and dive sites during the day, and in the evening, relax in air-conditioned cabins with en suite bathrooms, or unwind in the onboard lounge and bar. OceanQuest, a purpose-built 36-metre, three-deck catamaran, is designed for a first-class dive holiday. It features a spacious dive deck, expansive sundecks, and hot freshwater showers. All meals are freshly prepared by the onboard chef, with delicious desserts served after a full day in the water. Flexible options allow guests to stay from one to five nights, with daily departures available. With over 14 permanent moorings at Saxon and Norman Reefs, and select sites at Hastings Reef, snorkellers and divers of all levels can enjoy diverse marine life from morning until night. In the evenings, guests may choose to relax in the lounge and bar or take part in a unique night diving experience such as Sharks in the Dark or Fluoro Diving, making the adventure truly unforgettable. The overnight liveaboard is also ideal for completing or advancing dive certifications, supported by professional dive instructors to ensure a safe and enjoyable learning experience.
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Cabin Description
4 Queen-sized double bed cabins - 1 on the upper deck and 3 on the lower deck. *Rooms may vary in style and some internal rooms do not have windows. Pictures are for reference only and cabin allocation is random. Same-gender cabins are not guaranteed.
Cabin Facilities
There are 18 twin bed cabins - 14 on the main deck, 1 on the upper deck and 3 on the lower deck. One of these cabins features a bunk bed configuration. *Rooms may vary in style and some internal rooms do not have windows. Pictures are for reference only and cabin allocation is random. Same-gender cabins are not guaranteed.
Route Description - Great Barrier Reef (Cairns - Cairns)
Great Barrier Reef (Cairns - Cairns) Available Itineraries: 2 Days / 1 Night 3 Days / 2 Nights 4 Days / 3 Nights 5 Days / 4 Nights 6 Days / 5 Nights
The liveaboard vessel OceanQuest offers an exceptional overnight adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. Guests can spend both days and nights exploring the best outer reef dive sites while staying aboard this comfortable floating accommodation. Options include snorkeling, introductory dives, and certified diving. Additional experiences are available for purchase on board, including introductory dives for snorkellers and fluoro night diving for certified divers, adding even more excitement to the adventure.
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.