Ocean Quest Liveaboard, Australia
-
9.0 Superb
-
- Nitrox available
- from $ 197 / day
- Book Now
“This apparently is the only liveaboard option for snorklers for the GBR. Unfortunately, this trip was a bad fit for us and we left…”
Highlights
The OceanQuest Liveaboard is a 36m Catamaran offering year-round diving trips to Australia's magnificent Outer Great Barrier Reef. The OceanQuest liveaboard is permanently moored at the Outer Reef, and guests are transferred by fast boat from Cairns.
The OceanQuest liveaboard was refurbished in 2017 and has 22 cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and a TV. Each cabin has either two single beds or two single bunk beds. Split over 3 decks, the OceanQuest liveaboard offers plenty of space for relaxing after a full day of diving. There is a large air-conditioned lounge, a well-stocked bar area with an entertainment system, and a spacious dining room. The sun decks are perfect for sunbathing between dives in the warm Australian sun. The OceanQuest team provides 3 meals per day, served buffet style in the large dining area.
There is something for everyone with the OceanQuest liveaboard, with options for certified divers, introductory divers, and snorkelers. Guests can explore numerous outer Great Barrier Reef dive sites with OceanQuest and enjoy up to four dives a day; 3 daytime and 1 nighttime dive. Non-diving guests are also welcome aboard.
Please be aware that the dives are self-guided; however, for solo travelers, the crew will be more than happy to assist in pairing you with a dive buddy or a dive group. Rest assured, there is always a dedicated supervisor on board and a vigilant lookout on the deck during in-water activities. If you wish to opt for a guided dive experience, you can reserve this service on the day and overnight trips, priced at $15 per person per dive. In cases where your certification or a medical condition necessitates supervised diving, it is mandatory to partake in dives accompanied by a guide.
OceanQuest liveaboard divers can experience the Great Barrier Reef at night in a new way with Fluoro Night Diving. This incredible dive uses specialist torches and mask filters to bring the reef to life in an array of fluorescent colors (extra charge applies). Nightly Shark In The Dark dives offer the chance to jump in and see the Great Barrier Reef sharks at night. Whale fans can join an OceanQuest liveaboard ‘Meet The Minke’ whale diving safari (available in June and July).
Book your Outer Great Barrier Reef Dive adventure today.
Choose your departure date
Included: VAT, Hotel Transfer, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Diving Package, Rental Gear.
Required Extras: Port Fees (20 AUD per day).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Airport Transfer, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Snacks, Nitrox, Nitrox Course (269 AUD), Private Dive Guide (120 AUD per activity), Scuba Diving Courses.
Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.
* Extra fees are shown per person.
Pay by bank transfer or online with
Cabin Types
Ocean Quest Reviews
- 9.0 Superb
-
Vessel
-
Crew
-
Food
-
Diving
-
Value
-
- 4.8 Review score
- Heather H
-
United States
Not a good fit at all!
This apparently is the only liveaboard option for snorklers for the GBR. Unfortunately, this trip was a bad fit for us and we left after 2 nights even though we paid for 5 nights. The pros: the staff was fantastic and safety is taken seriously. Food was ample and adequate and the fruit was excellent. The boat smelled OK (with the exception of our head, because our swim gear and towels wouldn't dry there). The cons: Boat amenities are the bare minimum and policies seem to be focused on efficiency rather than customer comfort. Unfortunately, we first learned about these policies when we were already underway, as they were not disclosed previously. First, we learned while onboard Aqua Quest that both boats were barefoot only. I just spent the better part of 4 years eradicating incredibly resistant plantar's warts (which spread from one foot to the other), and this included daily chemotherapy and other painful injections that affected my mobility. This was followed by a couple of rounds of athlete's foot. I have sterilized all shoes, socks and linens and my doctor has implored me to never go barefoot in any wet areas, including in my own house, so that my family members and I won't have the chance to spread viruses or fungus to each other. Suddenly, I learned I was *required* to share foot viruses and diseases with a whole slew of people in a wet environment. If I had known about that in advance, we never would have booked this trip. We tried to make the best of it, but it was not tolerable for us. Second, we were required to be completely dry in order to be inside both Aqua Quest and Ocean Quest (which means getting in and out of wetsuits and swim gear between every snorkel). This was challenging, because there were no hooks, hangers or clothing lines to hang wet or dry clothes in the wet heads on Aqua Quest or our cabin on Ocean Quest, and insufficient air circulation in our cabin head for gear or towels to dry overnight. I also didn't notice any hairdryers in our cabin to assist with drying ourselves. These have been basic amenities on all other livaboards we have stayed on, but Ocean Quest offers the bare minimum. The aircon on Ocean Quest was freezing indoors, so even when dry, it was difficult to warm up. We actually skipped some snorkels because we were already cold and couldn't imagine getting wet and colder. These boats are designed for diving, so I can't understand why they weren't furnished with floors and furniture in some indoor areas that can simply be wiped down. I also can't understand why the temperature couldn't be controlled and there was no option for heat. As for our cabin, having a bright and open view of the water and horizon is really important to us when we are at sea, for enjoyment and to prevent seasickness. We were told when we booked that our room type would have a window to the water. We were assigned a cabin on the lowest level of guest rooms that faced forward to the bow, which was about 3 steps above us. We could see water when we searched for it, but our view was obstructed by equipment and was dark and depressing. We ended up keeping our shades closed often for privacy, because staff would need to operate equipment on the bow. That is, we kept the shades as closed as possible, because the curtain holds were falling apart. Considering most people booked the boat for 1 or 2 nights (and we booked for 5), we were surprised that we were not assigned a nicer room. Some other people had a sitting area in their room, but we had nothing like that. We just had a bed with 2 pillows and 2 throw pillows on a bed for 2 people. We saw no places to charge anything in our cabin except in the head, right above the sink (with no shelf to place any belongings). Again, the bare minimum. We couldn't wait to disembark, as this is unlike the experience we have had any other time at sea (and we've done many livaboards, including powerboats and sailboats) of all sizes. The water was fairly choppy
- Recommended for
- The pros: the staff was fantastic and safety is taken seriously. Food was ample and adequate and the fruit was excellent. The boat smelled OK (with the exception of our head, because our swim gear and towels wouldn't dry there).
-
- 9.2 Superb
- Traci D
-
United States
Great way to experience the GBR!
We really enjoyed the trip. As stated above, the staff, the equipment was ample and well maintained. Liked that you could dive or snorkel and that guides were always available. The lead into the trip was great. Communication was clear and I always received responses to my questions. The downside was the air conditioning. It really needs to be upgraded. We were very cold and uncomfortable in our room. The vent is loud, cold and no ability to adjust to a reasonable temperature. The only other area for improvement would be cleanliness. The rooms are only superficially cleaned between guests. However our takeaway was very good memories and fun.
- Recommended for
- The locations and experience on the reef. The dive guides. The sunrises from the boat.
-
- 6.0 Review score
- Kris H
-
United States
Minke Whale trip June 2024
It definitely felt like a cattle boat the first day, as they take day snorkelers and day divers on the transfer boat. It was chaotic without a lot of information and so many people. You had to pay for a guide for each dive if you wanted one, never saw this before on a LOB, yet the price was high. Was happy to dive without the pricey guides. No towels provided for after dive, had to use room shower towel. Seeing the Minke whales was spectacular. Advertised as Dive trip, but you don’t dive with the Minkes - only snorkeling, which was ok, just wish that was made clearer. Next time I’ll choose another boat.
- Recommended for
- The boat was kept clean, but is old and tired. Big decks, but absolutely no chairs on sun deck to relax.
-
- 10 Exceptional
- Eliot N
-
United States
Great ocean adventure!
Our family of 5 had a wonderful time on all the different dives sites exploring the reef and aquatic life. All of the crew, from Captains Anna and Dany to Chef Marcos were always friendly, helpful and encouraging! Our dive guides (Diegho, Natalee, Jack, Simon) were so helpful - especially Diegho with his amazing energy and excitement at being able to show us the reef. Our nighttime flouro-dive was spectacular in its intimacy with the flourescence of the coral and the proximity of sharks (almost brushing us)! The chance to dive 4 times per day (or rest) and the crew's support is something we've never had before. One of us completed Advanced Diver certification, another Adventure Diver cert. They both said the chance to do-the-read and immediately apply the diving skills was so much richer than a dive class at home. The care of the crewe towards the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and "flora and fauna" there is important too - with climate change this opportunity is fading unless huge changes can be made. The crew made us aware of this throughout. We loved our time on OceanQuest and would certainly return/rebook through Diver's Den in the future! Eliot (of the Nottleson family)
- Recommended for
- The amazing GBR diving, the fantastic diving guides and the great crew,
-
- 8.0 Very good
- William W
-
United States
First Time Liveaboard
night dive with sharks
- Recommended for
- Daily change of dive sites, decent food, efficient crew
-
- 10 Exceptional
- Peter D
-
United States
The staff were amazing, and dive safety was carefully monitored.
Gluten free options at every meal. The chef even made me gluten free brownies!
- Recommended for
- Dietary restrictions were addressed perfectly by the kitchen, diver safety was first, and the staff were superb!
-
- 7.2 Good
- Michael H
-
United States
Too crowded and the same dive spots over & over.
We got to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef!
- Recommended for
- Gear was included. Staff was great. Liam was amazing
-
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Luis D
-
United States
Memorable experience on the Barrier Reef
All night dives Very positive atmosphere Diverse group of guests
- Recommended for
- Dive guides, staff, Night dives
-
- 3.6 Review score
- Christine N
-
United States
The food was not edible I cannot believe someone would serve this low quality food
The water was warm and the equipment was in good condition. The head staff was rude and the food was horrible. I cannot believe they served the dinner that you cannot eat. If you asked for an extra piece of bread (the only thing that was edible) they said NO. Very crowded getting ready for the dive and coming out of the water no one to help you. Would not recommend this company. I have done close to 200 dives as this was poorly run by the head staff. Again food horrible.
- Recommended for
- Equipment was good
-
- 10 Exceptional
- Ellen V
-
United States
Ocean Quest exceeded expectations!! It was so incredible!!
The dives were absolutely amazing!!
- Recommended for
- Great staff, great food and well organized!