No dive location is quite as iconic as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, but this enormous country offers spectacular diving on the west and south coasts as well. First-time visitors will likely choose Cairns in far north Queensland as their jumping-off point, as this is where most liveaboards in Australia are based.
If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual, several boats visit remote Rowley Shoals, which lies 160 miles (260 km) west of Broome in Western Australia. Because of its isolated location and a limited dive season, only a few hundred divers per year visit Rowley Shoals, so it’s an exclusive club.
Regardless of your choice, you can expect turtles, sharks, macro life, and possibly whale sharks or minke whales depending on season and location. And, if you’re not quite ready for liveaboard life, there are plenty of sites accessible by shore.
If you are ready to take the plunge, the best liveaboards in Australia run the gamut from budget backpacker boats to luxurious, week-long escapes. Start by determining your budget and departure point, then dive into our reviews of the 10 best liveaboards in Australia.
Diving in Australia is good year-round, but some months are better than others for specific marine life. For example, if you’re most interested in seeing whale sharks in Western Australia, the season is August through October. The best time to dive out of Cairns in far north Queensland is the dry season, which runs from May to October. The weather is usually sunny and warm; there’s little rain, and the visibility is clearer, making for ideal dive days. Water temperatures range from 75 to 86 (24 to 30 C), depending on the season, and remember that winter falls in July and August.
MV Great Escape
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Discover the diverse marine life along the Western Australian coastline at Rowley Shoals, a truly untouched slice of the underwater world. Underwater, you’ll find over 650 species of fish and over 200 species of coral. Topside, the stunning, sparsely populated scenery of the Kimberley offers plenty of land-based adventures. The MV Great Escape offers 7-night trips to Rowley Shoals, which…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Helpful crew
- Luxury catamaran
- Truly untouched coral garden environment
- Excellent and well-prepared food
Things we don’t like:
- Deficiencies in some dive briefings
- Very brief seasonality of the trip
Where to book MV Great Escape:
Spoilsport
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Experience remarkable diving adventures on the Spoilsport, one of Australia’s most well-known liveaboards. With excellent visibility up to 131 feet (40 m), guests can encounter big fish, stunning coral reefs, and thrilling shark dives. Explore the Great Barrier Reef, Cod Hole, or the Coral Sea with various itineraries, including three-, four-, and seven-night options. Special minke whale snorkeling trips are…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Dives including shark feeds, minke whales and potato cod encounters
- Excellent food
- Friendly and professional crew
- Informative and safety-conscious dive briefings
- Open dive deck policy and dedicated photo stations
Things we don’t like:
- Some cabins are small with limited amenities
- Interior cabins lack windows
MV Odyssey
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Journey to isolated Rowley Shoals, Australia, a hidden gem 200 miles (333 km) off the coast of Western Australia. This diver’s haven is an untouched underwater wonderland, with vibrant tropical fish and exceptional visibility. Onboard MV Odyssey liveaboard, guests are guaranteed a unique experience, tailored to the preferences of each diver. Since 1998, this family-run business has been a pioneer…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Visibility up to 164 feet (50 m)
- Pristine diving in a remote part of the world
- Excellent snorkeling in the atoll
- A chance to spot humpbacks at Mermaid Atoll
- Exceptional service from crew and staff
Things we don’t like:
- Lack of dive site variety
- Showers often cold; not enough towel changes
- Limited space for large camera setups
- All dives strictly limited to 50 minutes
- No nitrox available
Where to book MV Odyssey:
Shore Thing
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Stretching 683 miles (1,100 km) from two hours north of Perth to the World-Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef, the unforgettable Coral Coast in Western Australia offers spectacular underwater experiences. Whether it’s exploring shark-cleaning stations, encountering rays in their natural habitat, swimming alongside giant whale sharks, or marveling at intricate coral formations, Shore Thing provides a specialized diving adventure for enthusiasts seeking…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Knowledgeable, friendly, and hardworking crew
- Spectacular marine life including sharks, dolphins, turtles, and humpback whales
- Intimate cruise with personalized services
- Delicious onboard meals
Things we don’t like:
- Small cabin size
- Noise from the engine room
Where to book Shore Thing:
Spirit of Freedom
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The Ribbon Reefs, part of the Coral Sea explored by the Spirit of Freedom liveaboard, showcase a rich array of marine life. Divers can encounter a diverse ecosystem, including vibrant coral formations, various reef fish, sharks, rays, and other fascinating underwater creatures. Spirit of Freedom offers 3-, 4-, and 7-day dive trips, encompassing dive sites in the Great Barrier Reef,…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Well-executed itineraries
- Friendly, safety-conscious crew
- Good food
- Diverse marine life sightings and shark feeding experiences
- Comfortable accommodations
- Educational sessions about marine life
Things we don’t like:
- Limited dive site variety
- Group size may be too large for some divers
- Only one nitrox analyzer
Where to book Spirit of Freedom:
Coral Sea Dreaming
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The legendary Great Barrier Reef—with shallow coral gardens, deep walls, drop-offs, and swim-throughs—still deserves a spot on every diver’s bucket list. Visitors can expect vibrant coral gardens, diverse marine life, and world-class dive sites. Coral Sea Dreaming offers a taste of the GBR on quick 2-day/1-night trips with access to 28 moorings. Whether you’re cruising alone or want to meet…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Diligent, accommodating staff
- Night dives under the stars
- Memorable land excursions
- Intimate setting with a small group
- Good cuisine with a variety of options
Things we don’t like:
- Indoor space on the sailboat is limited
- Living quarters require maintenance
Where to book Coral Sea Dreaming:
Pro Dive Cairns
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The Great Barrier Reef stands as the world’s largest coral reef system, providing unparalleled dive training opportunities for new and continuing divers. With over 1,500 species of fish and approximately 2,900 individual reefs, visitors here will never get bored. Pro Dive Cairns has been in operation since 1983, and offers a variety of experiences depending on your preference and experience…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Three identical vessels
- All dive gear (including a computer) is included in the price
- Freedom for divers to explore on their own
- Clean and organized boat with a friendly and knowledgeable crew
- Night dives with sharks
Things we don’t like:
- Sometimes rough and turbulent weather
- Limited visibility on some dives
- Crowded dive deck during peak times
Where to book Pro Dive Cairns:
SV Rum Runner
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Diving in the remote areas of the Great Barrier Reef is a captivating experience. Coral gardens host a variety of colorful fish, and secluded sites offer a memorable dive experience. Those who time their trip right may even have a chance to snorkel with migrating dwarf minke whales—more on that later. Ideal for budget-minded divers, backpackers, and families seeking an…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Well-planned itinerary
- Professional shark-feeding encounter
- Friendly and professional staff
- Breathtaking reefs
Things we don’t like:
- Small boat size
- Limited comfort on a sailboat; little dive deck space and gear storage
- Non-air-conditioned bunks
- Boat and equipment require updating
Where to book SV Rum Runner:
OceanQuest
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Many divers will have heard of Cairns in North Queensland, the key entry point to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Here you’ll find most of the boats that depart for trips on the GBR. With a tropical climate, Cairns offers year-round diving and 66- to 98-foot (20 to 30 m) visibility. This, combined with the warm water (86 F/30 C),…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Amazing crew with positive energy
- Opportunity to see offshore portions of the Great Barrier Reef
- Night and fluoro dives
- Good value for money
Things we don’t like:
- Large dive groups
- The food quality for the price
- Limited variety in dive locations during the trip
- Inconsistent cleaning standards for cabins
Where to book OceanQuest:
MV SeaEsta
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Divers exploring the Great Barrier Reef can spot a breathtaking array of marine life, including vibrant coral formations, tropical fish of various species and colors, friendly sea turtles, graceful rays, and—if fortunate—impressive marine creatures like sharks and dolphins. Constructed in 1982, MV SeaEsta offers access to the reef and stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship with its mono-hulled design.…
Key facts
Things we like:
- A chance to visit the Yongala shipwreck
- Helpful crew
Things we don’t like:
- Insufficient restroom facilities
- Overcrowded and uncomfortable feeling on the vessel
- Boat needs maintenance and does not meet expected standards
- Some cabins are next to the engines
- Gear is tired and worn out
Where to book MV SeaEsta:
Rodney Fox
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Great white sharks—need we say more? Imagine diving with one of the world’s most feared (and likely misunderstood) predators under the guidance of a man whose reputation precedes him. Rodney Fox is arguably the world’s best-known survivor of a shark attack. Over the past six decades, Rodney, his son Andrew, and a business partner have worked hard to allow divers…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Opportunity to spend time with a legendary shark attack survivor and his family on selected trips
- The only liveaboard with access to the remote Neptune Islands
- Choice of surface and ocean-floor shark cages
- Different-length itineraries to accommodate seasons and water conditions
Things we don’t like:
- Some of the cabins can be a little noisy
Where to book Rodney Fox:
Liveaboards in Australia
Australian diving is nearly synonymous with the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for 1,429 miles (2,300 km) along the east coast of Queensland. The largest living structure on earth is not one continuous reef, but rather made up of 3,000 individual reefs—that’s a lot of diving.
And although the GBR has seen its share of trials in the form of mass-bleaching events, there are still plenty of spectacular spots. As for liveaboards, nearly all that visit the GBR leave from and return to Cairns, a hub of adventure travel both underwater and topside.
Liveaboard routes that start from Cairns usually include dive sites like Cod Hole, North Horn at Osprey Reef, sites in the Coral Sea and more, depending on your trip. You can book anywhere from a single night on the reef to a full week exploring the more remote sites.
Cod Hole is probably the most well-known dive site on the Great Barrier Reef. The VW-sized potato cod that live in the area are friendly and curious, but it can still be quite a shock when one pulls up next to you on a reef. This easy dive is perfect for trainees and beginners since there are hardly any currents and there’s excellent visibility. Average depth is around 50 feet (15 m).
The main dive site at Osprey Reef is North Horn, located on the northwest tip of the reef. Depth ranges from 6.5 to 65 feet (2 to 20 m), but this is a dive site for more experienced divers. North Horn is known for the sheer number of whitetip reef sharks that make this area their home. If you are interested in observing shark feeding, then this is the dive site for you. Divers will also get to see silvertip and gray reef sharks, potato cod, and a huge variety of reef fish.
There’s only one liveaboard operating out of Port Lincoln, but it’s a bucket-list trip if getting up close and personal with great white sharks appeals to you.
Great white safaris usually visit dive sites around Great Neptune West and Great Neptune East, both small islands that are frequented by great white sharks. On these liveaboards you’ll be ensconced within metal cages located on the ocean floor—the only location in the world where cages are on the sea bed—which allows you to get unforgettable, thrilling views of these powerful apex predators.
Finally, several liveaboards make seasonal journeys to isolated Rowley Shoals, which lie 160 miles (260 km) west of Broome in Western Australia. This untouched underwater wonderland is composed of three atolls, which boast some of the most untouched and diverse coral formations on the planet.
Each of the three atolls offers snorkeling and diving opportunities, with 233 species of coral and 688 species of fish. Fewer than 400 people per year visit Rowley Shoals, so the experience is truly once in a lifetime.
What to know about liveaboard diving in Australia
- When planning a dive trip or a liveaboard trip in Australia you must have a recreational medical certificate. This is also essential if you are planning on doing a diving course in the country. If you forget to complete a physical before arrival, doctors in Cairns or other large cities can easily complete the certificate on your behalf.
- Don’t forget to bring your certification cards
- Know your seasons—trips are possible year-round from Queensland, but weather in South Australia can be very unpredictable between May and October. If you want to dive Rowley Shoals, the season runs exclusively from late September through early November.
- The hot season in Australia is from November through April and the cold season is from May through October.
- Land temperatures vary from 68 F (20 C) to 95 F (35 C) depending on season and location.
- Water temperatures vary dramatically from 68 F (20 C) to 88 F (31 C), again depending on season and location, so make sure to pack appropriate exposure protection. Water temperatures can drop even more in the south during the winter.
- If you dive on a liveaboard and visit locations more remote dive sites, visibility can soar up to 164 feet (50 m). Sites closer to land typically range from 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 m).
- The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Check websites like xe.com for the most current exchange rate.
- International arrival hubs in Australia include Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. There are some international flights to and from Perth as well, depending on your point of embarkation.
- Make sure that you have your usual travel vaccinations before going to Australia.
- Depending on your home country, you may need a visa to enter Australia. Find out more details here.
- Australia has a Great Barrier Reef tax of $8 AUD/day for visitors to this area, typically payable to your liveaboard.
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