The Best Liveaboard Adventures in the Great Barrier Reef

Explore the Great Barrier Reef in depth on an unforgettable liveaboard adventure!

Liveaboard tours are the best way to see the Great Barrier Reef because you have extra time to discover the incredible wonder. Throughout your liveaboard adventure, you will visit different reef sites and venture further from the mainland than you would on a day tour.

So, what are the best liveaboard Great Barrier Reef adventures? Below are our top three!

1. 2 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard

This 2 day Great Barrier Reef liveaboard will take you to some of the best reefs off the coast from Cairns.

Spend the days exploring the reefs, then spend one night aboard a luxurious 35 metre catamaran. This tour includes all meals, snorkelling and diving equipment, a marine biologist presentation and reef levies. The only additional payments are for a wetsuit hire and diving packages.

This tour visits three incredible snorkelling and diving sites, each different from the next. When you’re not exploring the reef, grab a refreshing drink at the licensed bar and enjoy the ocean scenery surrounding you!

2. 3 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard

This 3 day Great Barrier Reef liveaboard allows you to explore a little more of the reef than the two day tour.

The scenic tour includes two nights aboard a 35 metre catamaran, perfect for stability and comfort on the sea. The tour cost also includes all meals, snorkelling and diving equipment and reef levies. The only additional fees are for a wetsuit hire and diving packages if you’re keen to dive.

Your first two days will be spent hopping from reef to reef, diving and snorkelling as much as you’d like. You can relax on the luxurious boat when you’re not exploring the colourful underwater wonderland. The final day of this tour begins with an early start to catch the sunrise and enjoy a morning snorkel. Then you’ll head back to Cairns in the afternoon.

3. 3 Day Whitsundays Sailing Adventure

This 3 day Whitsundays sailing adventure is another incredible Great Barrier Reef tour, departing from the stunning Airlie Beach.

This liveaboard will give you a taste of the sailing live as you spend two nights aboard a famous racing sailboat. The tour includes everything from meals and accommodation to snorkelling equipment and marine park fees. Please note that this tour does not offer options for diving.

The Whitsunday Islands are located just off of the mainland of Australia. On this tour, you will weave amongst the islands, visiting various snorkelling sites. Each site has different marine species including sea turtles, fish and coral types. There is even a locally famous fish named George that loves to swim around with snorkelers. We recommend that you bring an underwater camera for your snorkelling adventures!

After three unforgettable days of sailing through the Whitsundays, your tour will end back at Airlie Beach.

If reading any of this has you excited for a liveaboard tour, this is your sign to join one for an unforgettable experience!

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward began with a passion for travel and turned it into a thriving tourism business. He co-founded Sightseeing Tours Australia after starting out as a tour guide in Melbourne. Cameron delights in helping visitors get the most from their trip to Australia. Whether he's leading tours or writing about his favourite places, Cameron loves sharing his local insight with fellow travellers.