Liveaboard Diving in Outer Great Barrier Reef

What To Expect On an Outer Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard

Liveaboards to the Outer Great Barrier Reef will enable you to cruise through much of the 900 islands and 2900 reefs on board a boat offering top-class diving, relaxing, and sailing facilities. When anyone says they are diving in Australia, they'll likely talk about the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The best diving for the world's largest living organism is undoubtedly found in the outer sections, and it's advisable to spend a good few days there to experience the full range of marine life. Liveaboard Dive trips here last for anything between 3 and 8 days, meaning that there is an itinerary to suit every timescale.

Day trips to the Great Barrier Reef from mainland Queensland are extremely popular, but they can only reach the inner sections, making for a sometimes crowded and rushed experience. A liveaboard dive cruise takes guests to parts of the Outer Reef far from shore, which are visited much less and, as a result, support an incredibly diverse ecosystem packed with all tropical inhabitants, all thriving in their natural environment.

The Outer Great Barrier Reef Underwater

The marine life here is unparalleled, and the warm water temperatures allow year-round diving. Visibility is fantastic, giving unspoiled views of the dazzling hard and soft corals surrounded by every imaginable tropical fish species. Clownfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish - you name it, and it'll be here. On board a liveaboard boat, you'll have the advantage of diving in various dive sites on the outer reef, where divers often come across the big fish, with Sharks, Mantas, and giant Groper being permanent residents in many places. Liveaboard diving on the Outer Great Barrier Reef will ensure guests cover a wide range of remote and pristine reefs rarely visited. There are many different boats on Liveaboard.com, with different schedules.

Dive Sites of The Outer Great Barrier Reef

Osprey Reef is extremely remote and so is only accessible via liveaboard cruise. Perhaps its most famous site is North Horn - renowned for its resident shark population, where divers can swim in huge numbers with various infamous predators. Humpback whales are regularly spotted here for half of the year (June to November).

The Ribbon Reef is located north of the GBR, a chain of ten spectacular turquoise reefs in one of the most isolated regions you are ever likely to dive at. You'll want to spend at least some days exploring what is on offer - the giant Potato Cod at Cod Hole and dwarf Minke Whales are particular highlights of a liveaboard trip here.

Some of the best examples of the Outer Barrier Reef's diversity of coral can be found at Milln Reef and Flynn Reef. Diving here will open your eyes to the stunning range of colors, shapes, and coral types found in this underwater paradise. Liveaboard operators often arrange night dives at these sites to get an even more striking perspective.

If you are diving in the Outer Great Barrier Reef as part of a liveaboard cruise, you'll be one of the few people with the opportunity to dive at the rarely-visited Bougainville Reef. Conditions only occasionally permit boats to reach here, but if you are lucky, you'll see some of the world's most undisturbed coral reefs and marine life.

Top Tips For Divers

  • Diving in the Outer Great Barrier Reef ranges from gentle, easy lagoon dives to adrenalin-pumping drifts. Often, the crew will not require a minimum number of dives, but bringing your certification and log book is still a good idea.
  • You can bring your equipment if you like, although diving gear is almost always available to rent on board.
  • All communications will be in English, the native tongue of Australia, although some of the crew may be able to speak other languages as well. ATMs are everywhere, and credit cards are widely accepted - the Australian dollar is the local currency.

Getting to The Outer Great Barrier Reef

The only way to access the best scuba diving sites in the Outer Barrier Reef is to join an Australian liveaboard dive cruise. Cairns, a city in north Queensland, is the most common port for departing trips. You can fly directly into Cairns from many overseas places, or it's just as easy to catch one of the many domestic flights from other areas of Australia (such as Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne).


Outer Great Barrier Reef Diving Reviews

  • 9.2 Superb
  • 53 Verified Reviews
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Elizabeth S
  • United States United States

It was different than I thought it would be. It was amazing, but just different.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Ocean Quest

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • David V
  • United States United States

Spectacular of course. Beautiful and healthy looking coral. Sharks. Turtles. Giant clams. Clown fish. Hundreds of other species of fish. What more could you ask for than to dive the great barrier reef?

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in December on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Brooke E
  • United States United States

Fabulous. Remote and beautiful

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in May on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Stephane T
  • United States United States

Amazing, clear visibility and so much diverse life!

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • James P
  • United States United States

It was not crowded with other boats like I expected. We saw two other boats at one point, but we never had a dive on the same area of the reef as another boat.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in June on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Sally P
  • United States United States

Gorgeous! Went beyond our high expectations.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.2 Superb
  • AMIKA S
  • United States United States

Loved being far away from tourists and having the reefs to ourselves.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nick D
  • United States United States

Great experience! Saw many cool fish and saw sharks and turtles.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Whitney M
  • United States United States

Saddening in many ways - the coral is very pale. I'm glad I was able to see it before it gets worse. I hope that the current policies are enough to protect what is left.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in October on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 8.0 Very good
  • jolena B
  • United States United States

Pretty good. I was surprised at how small the fish were, our oceans are hurting! But the reef was beautiful. I saw NO. Dead coral

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in December on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Matthew W
  • United States United States

Amazing, everyone should experience this once in their lifetime.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in February on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Judith H
  • United States United States

It was beautiful, but was a little disappointed in the coloration of the Coral. Except for some vibrant blues, the colors were very muted. But still in awe of all the extent of the Coral.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in February on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Noam K
  • United States United States

The bommies each served as an ecosystem of their own. The diversity truly added a lot to the experience

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in June on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Javier P
  • United States United States

Great snorkeling experience

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in September on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Taylor Q
  • United States United States

It was nice to relax on the sail boat and go to areas that weren't as crowded, there's so much to see.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in January on the Rum Runner

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Joyce S
  • United States United States

Underwhelming. It was not as colorful or full of sea life as I expected. The visibility was limited.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in February on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kenneth H
  • United States United States

Great lots of healthy coral lots of small fish visibility was great

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in November on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Christine G
  • United States United States

Excellent. A lot of variety of fish, turtles, sharks, etc. clear visibility.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in November on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Ian P
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

A must for any diver. Although winter on my visit ,it was great.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in August on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • David E
  • Canada Canada

Site was very diverse with lots to see. More than one can see on two tanks. Many dives could be made here without repeating.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in November on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Duncan H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

I really enjoyed being far out at sea and the the outer reef sites were exciting to explore.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in June on the Ocean Quest

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Ian W
  • Australia Australia

We were always inside the Reef - might be good if you checked before asking.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in June on the Ocean Quest

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Sheridan V
  • Australia Australia

Some spectacular reefs. A little murky in the winter conditions.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Rum Runner

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • David N
  • Australia Australia

Couldn't be much better. Water conditions, coral and sea life was amazing. We saw everything including sharks, turtles, stingrays, dolphins in a 2 day trip.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in September on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • YUE H
  • China China

Great with corals and reefs but it's not a good option to see big guys.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in February on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 8.4 Very good
  • pirjo H
  • Finland Finland

Diving the reef is always beautiful. Luckily the dive sites also seemed to be mostly in good condition.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in May on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Stuart M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Awe inspiring day and night which comfortably surpassed my expectations.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in May on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Keat P
  • Singapore Singapore

We only did snorkeling in outer Great Barrier Reef. Get to see the giant clams, turtle and even reef sharks.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in June on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Alexander W
  • Australia Australia

Absolutely amazing so happy I have had the experience

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • annette A
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Delightful. Lovely array of tropical fish and colourful coral. Saw the large green turtle on my wish list.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in February on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jess G
  • Australia Australia

Very diverse and a lot of time to explore.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in March on the Rum Runner

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Yane K
  • Brazil Brazil

I was little bit frustrated because I thought it would had more life.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in September on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ocean M
  • New Zealand New Zealand

Visibility was >15 metres for every dive, saw some awesome sea life and overall good conditions

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in March on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Tadahiro T
  • Japan Japan

It was fantastic. I could see the endless beautiful corals under the sea.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in August on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Nina Z
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Clear visibility, healthy coralles

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in December on the Pro Dive Cairns

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Kati Hannele Lomma K
  • Finland Finland

Diving was amazing. We saw plenty of reef sharks, turtles, big barracudas, tunas, different trevallies & groupers, cuddle fish and much more. I was amazed how healthy the reefs still were. Huge and big variety different corals. We dived in 7 person group which was bit much, but went ok.

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in July on the Coral Sea Dreaming

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Ben S
  • Australia Australia

Colorful coral and a wide variety of sealife on display

Diving Outer Great Barrier Reef in October on the Rum Runner