Thinking of occurring an australia liveaboard? In this text, I’m going to stroll you thru our prime picks in addition to offer you recommendations on how to decide on the perfect ones.
Whether you’re an avid diver, a water sports activities fanatic or a lover of marine life, Australia is a magical place that can appeal to and win the hearts of many a traveler. Why? Because it’s the gateway to among the most luxurious websites on the earth!
Scuba diving in Australia is a must-do for water lovers and right here’s why.
Home to the Great Barrier Reef, liveaboards in Australia give divers the chance to discover the majestic 2,300km-long ecosystem, made up of 1000’s of vibrant coral reefs and a whole lot of various islands.
Have a life altering expertise diving among the many world’s largest assortment of coral, fish, molluscs, starfish, dugong (sea cow), turtles, dolphins and sharks.
Besides the Great Barrier Reef, there are many different locations in Australia which might be value including to your diving bucket record.
Western Australia is notable because it’s teeming with unspoiled reefs and is arguably simply as stunning to dive because the Eastern aspect. You’ll discover an abundance of marine life lurking among the many vibrant corals simply ready to be found.
No matter the place you go, a liveaboard diving in Australia is one of the simplest ways to see all of the nation is hiding under the floor.
Be amazed with the huge quantity of life current in these heat waters, and have an unforgettable diving journey exploring all of it.
Editor’s Australia Liveaboard Picks
Best Australia Liveaboard Comparison Table
Best Budget Australia Liveaboards
Ocean Quest
Max. Divers: 48 visitors
Rooms: 22 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 23
While the Ocean Quest could be the perfect finances liveaboard on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s under no circumstances missing in facilities or the diving expertise that it gives.
Permanently moored on the Outer Reef, visitors can profit from an awesome evening’s sleep and be prepared for his or her speedboat switch to the dive websites within the morning. Another good thing about that is versatile itineraries, permitting you to decide on a visit starting from one to 5 nights.
On this recently-refurbished 36m Catamaran, you will see 22 air-conditioned cabins with en-suite lavatory, a lounge, sundeck, eating room, and a well-stocked bar with an leisure system.
Enjoy as much as 4 day dives a day and one evening dive, the place you possibly can expertise the magic of fluoro diving in all its glory. Nightly “Shark In The Dark” dives and “Meet The Minke” whale scuba dives are additionally accessible when you dare!
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Personal Diving Gear, Tanks, Weights, Belts, All Meals, Transfers/pickups from Hotel
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for Ocean Quest
Rum Runner
Max. Divers: 16 visitors
Rooms: 4 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: Shared
Rum Runner is a perfect liveaboard for anybody in search of a brief finances diving journey in Australia.
This boat affords two itineraries: one which lasts two days and one evening, and one that’s 4 days and three nights.
The shorter journey takes you to the Outer Barrier Reef, whereas the longer expedition takes divers to shark-infested waters for exploring. Even on a two-day journey, you’ll dive as much as six instances, making for a fully-packed diving journey.
Besides nice itinerary choices, the Rum Runner options multi-share lodging, with as much as 16 visitors per journey. This is an superior boat when you’re touring solo and taken with attending to know fellow divers, because it’s a hostel-like ambiance.
When not within the water, hand around in the open salon and galley or within the deck areas. You’ll have all of your meals on board, and the boat even has a Bring-Your-Own-Alcohol coverage, permitting visitors to convey what they please, so long as it’s not in a glass container.
This liveaboard diving in Australia is nice for these on a finances.
What’s Included: VAT, Environment Tax, Fuel Surcharge, National Park Fees, Port Fees, Visas, All Meals, Accommodation
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for the Rum Runner
Coral Sea Dreaming
Max. Divers: 12 visitors
Rooms: 4 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: Shared
Coral Sea Dreaming is one other nice finances possibility for these seeking to dive within the outer space of the Great Barrier Reef. On a fast one-night journey, you’ll get to discover much less crowded areas of essentially the most well-known reef on the earth, at various ranges of issue.
Coral Sea is a good boat for inexperienced persons as a result of it provides you a style of scuba life. The crew even affords a fast “try-dive” for many who aren’t licensed!
The Coral Sea Dreaming is 18m lengthy and has three totally different cabin courses, catering to totally different budgets. It’s a small ship and solely takes a most of 12 visitors, resulting in a customized and unforgettable expertise delivered by a world-class crew.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, All Meals, Private Dive Guide, Rental Gear, Snorkel Gear, Towels, Complimentary Toiletries
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for Coral Sea Dreaming
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Best Mid-Range Australia Liveaboards
Spirit of Freedom
Max. Divers: 26 visitors
Rooms: 11 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 13
Voted because the “Best Australian Liveaboard” by readers of Australasia Dive Log, you could possibly argue that there’s nobody higher to host you for a 3, 4 or seven-night diving cruise.
Offering state-of-the-art rooms with air-con, personal lavatory, wardrobe, and ample storage, the Spirit of Freedom goals to offer visitors with a premier expertise each above and under Australia’s waters. You’ll really feel proper at residence when settling in after a full day of diving. While you’re not within the cabin, lounge on the deck on a beanbag or seize a drink from the bar.
With a spacious dive deck and digicam workstation, you possibly can actually discover and doc your once-in-a-lifetime expertise on the Great Barrier Reef.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Transfers/pickups from Hotel
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for the Spirit of Freedom.
Shore Thing
Max. Divers: 10 visitors
Rooms: 4 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 4
The Shore Thing catamaran affords a extra intimate liveaboard expertise, internet hosting as much as 10 visitors in two staterooms with en-suite loos and two deluxe cabins with shared amenities.
Offering year-round diving and snorkeling cruises that discover Ningaloo Reef on the west coast of Australia, divers can go for three to nine-night itineraries, relying on their desire.
With such a small group, you may get the very best scuba diving expertise as you possibly can get pleasure from uncrowded dive websites and one-on-one time with skilled guides.
That’s not even mentioning the entire marine wildlife that you simply’ll see on the journey: manta rays, turtles, dugong, reef sharks, whale sharks, and the humpback whale, simply to call a couple of!
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Complimentary Toiletries, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Towels Provided, Transfers/pickups from Hotel, National Park Fees, Snorkel Gear, Kayaks, Wetsuit
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for Shore Thing
Spoilsport
Max. Divers: 28 visitors
Rooms: 14 cabins / AC
Bathrooms: 14
A perennially standard liveaboard in Cairns, particularly amongst enthusiastic divers, is the enduring Spoilsport. Custom constructed to discover the Coral Sea, this award-winning dive vessel is named one of many prime diving liveaboards and one the place you get the perfect bang in your buck.
When it involves diving, Spoilsport has you lined. Offering three, 4, and seven-night liveaboard diving journeys, divers can profit from rigorously chosen itineraries that maximize visibility and marine life high quality.
This, along with evening dives and an “open dive deck” coverage, the place visitors can plan and dive independently with dive buddies, signifies that visitors actually get to expertise the perfect of the Great Barrier Reef.
Plus, you’ll get the chance to find distinctive marine life together with the Dwarf Minke Whales! This is without doubt one of the highlights of liveaboard diving in Australia for positive.
In addition to premier diving, Spoilsport additionally makes you’re feeling at residence with air-conditioned staterooms (a few of which have ocean views), your personal en-suite lavatory, and devoted employees who cater to your wants.
What’s Included: VAT, Accommodation, Tanks, Weights, Belts, Divemaster Services, All Meals, Possible Fuel Surcharge
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for the Spoilsport
Best Luxury Liveaboards in Australia
Odyssey Expeditions
Max. Divers: 20 visitors
Rooms: 6 cabins / AC
Looking for a real luxurious diving journey? Then look no additional than the posh floating resort that Odyssey Expeditions.
Accommodating as much as 20 visitors in stunning staterooms, this 24m boat affords many facilities to be loved. It has 3 out of doors viewing decks plus state-of-the-art viewing TVs and encompass sound programs.
The Odyssey Liveaboard is accompanied a 12m expedition vessel giving visitors easy accessibility to the perfect snorkel and dive spots across the Rowley Shoals in Australia.
Another perk of the Odyssey Expeditions is they provide journeys starting from 3 to 9 nights! No matter the size of journey you’re in search of, this luxurious vessel has you lined.
What’s Included: AT, Fuel Surcharge, National Park Fees, Port Fees, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Special Dinner, Fishing, Snorkeling Guide, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels, Laundry / Pressing Services.
Click the button under to study extra and verify the costs and availability for Odyssey Expeditions
Australia Liveaboard Diving Highlights
Australia is a true underwater paradise, making it probably the greatest locations on the earth to take a diving journey on a liveaboard.
While there’s a lot to discover, the primary spotlight is the Great Barrier Reef.
With such an enormous ecosystem that’s really seen from area, this one location is on the bucket record of 1000’s of individuals relating to scuba diving websites.
Why? Because it’s superior!
Taking up virtually 1 / 4 of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is without doubt one of the world’s largest and healthiest coral reef programs. Just attempt to think about the plethora of marine life that lives there, the diving adventures which might be simply ready available, and the distinctive experiences {that a} diver might have in among the greatest dive websites on the earth.
Imagine swimming subsequent to large whale sharks or minke whales in an underwater world that extends for miles and miles whilst you’re feeling extremely small and insignificant. It’s fairly unimaginable simply occupied with it, so think about what it will really really feel like experiencing it?
If you’d like to go to the Great Barrier Reef, a liveaboard is actually the perfect methodology.
People diving the Great Barrier Reef are likely to do it on a day journey from shore, so the interior reef has a ton of useless coral and fewer various marine life, to not point out swarms of divers. This is why most liveaboards take divers to the Outer Reef which is way much less crowded, largely unexplored and thus extraordinarily wholesome.
The Great Barrier Reef is actually what places Australian diving on the map, however to the west of the nation is an unspoiled paradise with among the most pristine dive websites on the earth.
Western Australia is residence to among the most enjoyable marine parks within the nation, with distant websites like Mermaid and Clerke Reefs that are in tip-top situation.
Leaving from Broome, Australia, liveaboards within the west spend time exploring Rowley Shoals which is crammed with coral gardens. It is residence to over 650 species of fish, most of which aren’t discovered close to the shore.
A liveaboard journey within the West is one of the simplest ways to have a novel diving expertise off the crushed path. In reality, liveaboards are the one approach to have this expertise because the websites visited aren’t accessible straight from shore on a day journey.
No matter the place you select to dive, on a liveaboard, you possibly can actually maximize your time each on the water and within the reef. Plus who wouldn’t need skilled and passionate guides that may present you the preferred areas in addition to the hidden gems that they’ve maybe found themselves?
Australia Diving: What You Need to Know
Best Time to Go Diving in Australia
While you possibly can dive the Great Barrier Reef all yr lengthy, it is strongly recommended that you simply go between June and December.
During these months, you’ll expertise glorious visibility (reaching 60 meters/200 toes) and through this time, the water temperature drops which attracts many thrilling species. If you need to see manta rays, whale sharks and minke whales, that is the perfect time to dive.
The minke whales are a spotlight of any scuba diving journey to Australia and is one thing we suggest you time throughout your journey!
If you have an interest in Western a part of Australia diving, it’s greatest to go between September and December. Be positive to ebook early, as a result of as talked about, a liveaboard is the one approach to discover Rowley Shoals so journeys replenish quick!
Australia Diving Safety
The Great Barrier Reef is without doubt one of the greatest liveaboard locations for newbie divers as the present may be very gentle and the dives right here have glorious visibility. This has led to many divers finishing their Open Water PADI programs on liveaboards right here, however clearly, diving wherever isn’t with out its dangers.
While scuba diving in Australia, pay attention to your environment, take heed to your information, and watch out for “stinger season.” Stinger season is from November till May and it’s a time the place there’s an abundance of jellyfish and stingers within the waters.
This shouldn’t be a problem with a liveaboard as they are going to almost certainly offer you a stinger wetsuit but it surely’s all the time good to pay attention to potential risks.
Regardless of the place you’re diving, it’s advisable that you simply all the time have a neon dive flag or collapsible pole stowed in your BC pocket in case the present sweeps you astray.
For peace of thoughts throughout your diving adventures, we suggest having dive insurance coverage in case of any medical emergencies.
How to Get to Australia
Australia is simple to get to, with many airports that obtain worldwide flights every day.
If you’re taking a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, your liveaboard will depart and return to Cairns. Cairns has a global airport, so it’s probably it is possible for you to to fly straight there.
In the unlikely occasion that there isn’t any direct flight, it is possible for you to to attach very simply from one other hub like Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.
If you’re taking the Western route, you’ll have to fly into Broome, which is much less accessible than Cairnes.
Broome has a global airport however is simply serviced by a handful of flights, making connecting more likely. The best choice is to fly into Perth, after which take a home flight to Broome.
No matter the place your liveaboard vacation spot is, you’re more likely to have an airport switch coordinated by your ship. The crew will choose you up on the airport and accompany you to the port of departure making for a straightforward, hassle-free journey.
Best Diving Itineraries in Australia
Short Australia Liveaboard Diving Trips
Australia is a good vacation spot when you’re in search of a fast diving getaway. There are tons of liveaboards that supply journeys lasting between one and 5 nights, all the time stopping at totally different websites for premier diving.
Even on one-night journeys, you possibly can anticipate to dive as much as six instances at a number of totally different websites. If you’re in search of a weekend getaway, spend three nights on the water and discover much more of what Australia has to supply.
Most brief itineraries take divers on Great Barrier Reef safaris, primarily targeted on the Outer Reef. Diving within the Western a part of Australia is usually reserved for longer journeys because it’s rather more distant and takes longer to get to.
Extended Australia Liveaboard Diving Trips
If you’re taken with a real Australian dive expedition, there are many itineraries that supply six to 14-night journeys all around the nation.
An prolonged journey will mean you can discover much more of the Outer Reef or totally get pleasure from all that Western Australia has to supply.
On longer journeys, you’ll go to extra distant websites which might be farther from shore, presenting divers with extra various wildlife and unbelievably wholesome underwater ecosystems.
Best Dive Sites in Australia
1. Great Barrier Reef Dive Sites
The Great Barrier Reef is essentially the most well-known place to dive in Australia and there are a number of dive websites there that supply an unparalleled diving expertise.
2. Osprey Reef
Located within the northern Coral Sea part of the Great Barrier Reef, Osprey Reef is legendary for its excellent visibility (over 40 meters!).
This website is nice for exploring and options tons of swim-throughs, small caverns and pinnacles, making for a enjoyable dive. It’s a brilliant distant website which has led to its pristine situation and abundance of marine life and coral.
While diving at Osprey Reef, you’ll run into a number of species of sharks and huge pelagic fish. This is without doubt one of the greatest dive spots in Australia near the Great Barrier Reef!
3. Ribbon Reefs
Ribbon Reefs is an remoted a part of the Great Barrier Reef marine park and is made up of a sequence of ten reefs. This website is kind of distant and is situated north of Cairns.
Stretching for 120 kilometers, this website is simply accessible by liveaboard, making for a novel expertise. This website is residence to 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral.
Because Ribbon Reefs is so removed from shore, it’s in the perfect situation attainable with vibrant corals and excellent marine life. While diving at Ribbon Reefs, you’ll get to discover varied websites inside the reef chain that every one provide divers one thing new
4. Steve’s Boomie
This website is well-regarded not solely in Australia however all through the world. Located inside Ribbon Reef, Steve’s Bommie is a pinnacle that’s crammed with marine life.
Anemone swarming with clownfish draw individuals from throughout the globe, and octopus lurk among the many rocks ready to be found. There is a lot occurring at this website that it’s splendid for not solely diving however a primary location for underwater images as properly.
While there are lots of superb scuba diving websites within the Great Barrier Reef, there are equally wondrous websites within the Western a part of Australia.
5. Rowley Shoals
Rowley Shoals is probably essentially the most well-known dive website in Western Australia and is frequented by divers who’re taken with areas much less traveled.
This website is made up of three coral shelf atolls and is residence to 650 species of fish. It’s not a fast dive, however will take a number of journeys underwater to discover it in its entirety.
If you’re diving in Western Australia, it’s almost a assure that you simply’ll spend time at Rowley Shoals.
6. Mermaid Reef
Mermaid Reef is northeast of Rowley Shoals and is crammed with lagoons, caves, and partitions making for an fascinating dive.
It’s in glorious situation and options many various websites for divers to discover. While diving at Mermaid Reef, you’ll run into turtles, gray and whitetip reef sharks, dolphins and tuna.
Who is aware of, you might even spot a mermaid whilst you’re down there!
7. Clerke Reef
Clerke Reef is one other famed website in Western Australia. It’s a part of the Rowley Shoals marine park and is near Mermaid Reef, making for a handy journey when you’re within the space.
Clerke Reef is situated in an exquisite blue lagoon and is taken into account an aquarium dive website as a result of the water is calm, the diving is simple, and the positioning is crammed with wholesome marine life.
Visibility at Clerke Reef is usually 50 meters, permitting you to see all of the moray eels, gray reef sharks, and 230 varieties of coral completely.
Search in your dream Australia liveaboard right here!
There you’ve it! We hope this text has helped you evaluate these liveaboards in Australia so as to discover one that’s appropriate one for you. For these in search of last-minute offers, liveaboard.com and Divebooker affords nice discounted costs that are value testing.
Now go and expertise Australia in all its glory — I hear it’s nice!
Additional content material contributed by Jane Elmets
Disclosure: Some of the hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks. That signifies that when you ebook any of the liveaboards above, we get a small fee at NO EXTRA COST to you. This fee will assist us keep this website so we will maintain producing superior free content material for you.
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