Liveaboard Diving in North Horn

What To Expect On A North Horn Liveaboard

North Horn liveaboards will take divers to one of the best dive sites in Australia and possibly the world for shark viewing. If Osprey Reef is on your liveaboard itinerary, you'll most certainly be visiting here. Famous for its legendary shark feed, this reef is at the very northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in the Coral Sea. It is located some 350 kilometers from Cairns and is only accessible via a liveaboard diving tour. You'll want to spend at least a few days and nights exploring this remote part of the GBR (most liveaboard cruises here last 5 days, and some up to 8!) to view as much of this underwater paradise as possible.

North Horn and all of the sections of Osprey Reef have almost guaranteed visibility of well over 30 meters and commonly over 40, ensuring that the full array of marine life will be visible for everyone diving (and also snorkeling). Conditions for liveaboard diving at North Horn are fantastic all year round, with an average water temperature between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (25 and 30 degrees Celsius). Its isolated position ensures that North Horn is never crowded, and the reef has been able to thrive, remain healthy, and support a pristine, biodiverse ecosystem.

What You Can See

One word: SHARKS! North Horn is THE place to view sharks, sharks, and more sharks in Australia. Whether you are a lover or hater of these sleek predators, you can only admire and respect their elegance as they glide swiftly through the blue with little effort. The wall drops to around 1000 meters at the reef's edge, creating a natural theatre where Australia's most well-known shark feed occurs. There's an incredible range of fish life here, but the sightings of high numbers of Hammerheads, Grey Reef Sharks, White Tips, and Silkys will ensure this dive remains long in the memory of any underwater enthusiast. The population of sharks here has resulted in their behavior being monitored as part of a University Research Project. Make sure you have a camera with a wide-angle lens if possible, as you'll want to fit as many of these wonderful creatures into your photos as possible!

Sharks are the main attraction here; however, they are far from the only residents. Amongst a backdrop of astoundingly colorful and huge soft corals, it's common to see green and loggerhead Turtles and also the occasional majestic Manta Ray. All you need to do is hover and look around through the crystal clear water to witness all of this; however, there are many fabulous shallow caves and deeper overhangs for divers to swim through, adding to the experience.

How To Get To North Horn

The only way to dive at North Horn is by boarding an Australian liveaboard that will sail you to this turquoise speck of the Coral Sea - generally as part of a tour that includes the magnificent Ribbon Reef. Some operators will take you on one leg of the journey by boat and have you complete the other by low-level reef flight, allowing you to appreciate the splendor of the GBR from the air.

Liveaboard.com has several boats to choose from, departing from the conveniently situated Queensland town of Cairns. It's a great town to visit in its own right but serves mainly as a jumping-off point for trips to the Reef. The airport is close by and is served by many international airlines, meaning that visitors can usually fly directly here from overseas. There are also regular daily flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.


North Horn Diving Reviews

  • 9.3 Superb
  • 38 Verified Reviews
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Phillip M
  • United States United States

These were intended as drift dives, but because of unexpectedly mild currents, these became fairly long swims rather than drifts. Still, good and manageable dives with lots to see.

Diving North Horn in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Katelyn H
  • United States United States

Fantastic. Loved all the Sharks.

Diving North Horn in September on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Russell H
  • United States United States

Awesome. So many sharks. Strong currents were fun

Diving North Horn in January on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Dana C
  • United States United States

This is where we did our Shark Dive. It was such a fabulous experience. 40 sharks, 2 large potato cod and a smaller one. What a thrill watching those incredible beasts charge tuna heads.

Diving North Horn in May on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Alex T
  • United States United States

really nice, currents meeting so easy drift dives

Diving North Horn in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Bryce O
  • United States United States

Clear, beautiful, good day and night

Diving North Horn in January on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Nicholas W
  • United States United States

Fantastic wall diving on Dynamite Pass!

Diving North Horn in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Desmond M
  • Canada Canada

ridiculous. so many sharks

Diving North Horn in January on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Simon N
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Had to miss due to weather conditions

Diving North Horn in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Gerald B
  • Canada Canada

Shark experience fantastic and very well managed.

Diving North Horn in March on the Spoilsport

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Cornelius V
  • South Africa South Africa

I loved the shark feed and wall dive

Diving North Horn in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Eva P
  • Germany Germany

Best visibility I've ever seen

Diving North Horn in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ben L
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great, warm 30°c water means you only need to wear t-shirt and shorts, no need for a wet suit if you don't want to wear them. At all dive sites, we were the only dive group and the vast majority of the time you and your buddy do not bump into anyone else during the dives.

Diving North Horn in January on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Auguste H
  • France France

Really cool, the drifting dives were nice and even if we were not lucky enough to see some hammerhead or tiger sharks, it was still completely worse it. The landscapes and the rest of the fauna (including other shark species) were crazy.

Diving North Horn in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Barry P
  • Canada Canada

Shark dive.... WOW ... Spirit team is so professional and the experience outstanding

Diving North Horn in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 7.6 Good
  • Anna S
  • Russia Russia

Sharks , sharks, SHARKS!!!

Diving North Horn in September on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ellie D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Epic, the grey reef shark dive delivered on all fronts.

Diving North Horn in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Igor L
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Stunning shark feed diving with 30+ sharks

Diving North Horn in May on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Joanne W
  • Australia Australia

Shark dive is fantastic - lots of grey and white tipped reef sharks jostling for position.

Diving North Horn in May on the Spoilsport

  • 7.2 Good
  • Chris B
  • Australia Australia

I think the Shark feed has had its day, its an artificial event like throwing chickens at Crocodiles. Maybe think of something new.

Diving North Horn in June on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Julian W
  • New Zealand New Zealand

All around osprey reef varied and exciting

Diving North Horn in June on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Felipe G
  • Mexico Mexico

ok. Except when doing the shark feeding the sharks opened the food box and there was no show

Diving North Horn in August on the Spoilsport

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Brigette A
  • Australia Australia

Sharks galore! Great to see lots of these animals close up and interacting. They knew the boat meant feeding time.

Diving North Horn in January on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Helena C
  • Australia Australia

Dramatic sheer drop offs, vast expanses of coral life and fish everywhere

Diving North Horn in February on the Spirit of Freedom