Rum Runner Liveaboard, Australia
- Family Cabins
- Aircon Cabins
- Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
“The experience was well organized and tons of fun. ”
Highlights
The Rum Runner Australia is a fantastic, budget-friendly way to dive into the Great Barrier Reef. Operating dive tours in the Great Barrier Reef since 2005, the Rum Runner liveaboard is perfect for the adventurous diver wanting to explore Australia's Barrier Reef and beyond.
The Rume Runner accommodates up to 16 guests in twin and 4-share single bunk-style berths. Cabins are not spacious or private - more like a multi-share hostel on water, but ideal for resting after diving or snorkeling. Common areas include an open salon, galley, and covered and open deck areas. There are also charging areas for cameras and phones, as well as separate male and female shared bathrooms with hot water showers. All meals are included; however, the boat operates a Bring Your Own Alcohol policy, with no glass allowed.
There are 2 tours available: an itinerary away from the crowds at the Outer Great Barrier Reef or an expedition to dive with sharks at the even more remote Holmes Reef. The classic 1-night tour is perfect for divers, snorkelers, or people who want to try diving in this amazing area. 6 dives are available, including a night dive, meaning you will get the most out of your 2 days on the Great Barrier Reef. The Coral Sea shark-diving trip is a must for the more adventurous diver. Holmes Reef lies 90 miles outside the Great Barrier Reef, and due to its isolation, is home to abundant shark populations, large pelagic fish life, and incredible visibility - up to 50m.
Note: Guided dives are not included or available. A Full Dive Briefing and refresher are given during the journey out, and we are ready to dive by the time we arrive at our first Site. Divers are paired in buddy pairs and can follow the Dive Leader to allow more time to relax and focus on the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively, those with more experience can buddy dive off without a guide. All subsequent dives are buddy diving only. These tours cater very well for those straight off their "open water" course, those who have not dived for a while, and also to divers with more experience.
Book your liveaboard adventure aboard the Rum Runner today!.
Choose your departure date
Included: VAT, National Park Fees, Port Fees, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package.
Required Extras: Environment Tax (AUD40 / trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Soft drinks (AUD2 / item), Rental Gear (AUD140 / trip), Scuba Diving Courses (AUD220), Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Deck Towels.
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.
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Drawings & Vessel Layouts
Cabin Types
Rum Runner Reviews
- 8.4 Very good
- Vessel 7.1
- Crew 8.5
- Food 8.8
- Diving 8.7
- Value 9.2
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- 10 Exceptional
- Crystal C
-
Australia
Lovely trip
Great experience, very glad that I decided to book with Rum Runner, Richard was very knowledgable about the reef and the boat is lovely. Food was great on board.
- Recommended for
- Great dive sites. Few divers in the water. Knowledgable skipper.
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- 8.8 Fabulous
- Michael L
-
United States
Would Go Again
Very enjoyable trip. Food was simple and filling. Crew was extremely friendly and helpful. Relaxed atmosphere and easy diving.
- Recommended for
- Relaxed atmosphere. Quality of dives. Helpfulness of Crew.
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- 8.4 Very good
- eleanor F
-
United States
Great diving at a low cost
Rum Runner is exactly what it says it is: A very affordable live aboard. No frills here. Good solid food and great diving. Great for someone on a budget who loves to dive.
- Recommended for
- small number of divers. great dive sites. affordable.
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- 9.2 Superb
- Nadine G
-
Germany
Recommendation!!!
Top price-performance ratio! At Rum Runners you get great dive sites, breathtaking dives on the Great Barrier Reef, very good fresh food, fun and just a great time! The comfort on the boat is sufficient for 2D1N - I would love to come back!
- Recommended for
- Cheerful friendly crew. Great dive sites + information. Good food.
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- 9.6 Exceptional
- Ben S
-
Australia
An experience I won't soon forget
We saw multiple sharks, rays and turtles. Despite not seeing much sealife during the night dive it was a great experience. The evening talk on the fish we will find on the reef was both entertaining and interesting
- Recommended for
- The locations of the dives were perfect and offered a wide variety of sealife. The crew was friendly, funny and helpful in answering any questions I had. The boat was well equipped for it's size and I think the small number of people helped the trip feel more unique.
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- 6.4 Review score
- Simone G
-
Netherlands
Good for a low budget
Overall the trip was nice and worth it for the money. Nice diving sites, good equipment provided. It's a small boat so a small group which is great. However, if you're looking for comfort book somewhere else. I'm fine with basic accommodations but, when it had been grey, windy and raining the whole day, I just couldn't get warm in-between dives, and there was no comfortable place to warm up on the boat. Plus, the crew is very no nonsense which can be fun, but they are not particularly friendly: when 3 of us were throwing up on the side of the boat, an offer of a tissue or some water would have been appreciated. The food is good if you eat meat, if you don't you just get the sides of whatever the other people get (there's no point in letting them know your diet restrictions, you get what you get). Dives are not guided! But you're never too far from the boat.
- Recommended for
- Small group. Great diving sites. Out on the reef woth almost no other boats or divers.
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- 9.6 Exceptional
- Laura F
-
Germany
Great tour group and tour guide
The tour group First time diving (we felt very safe) The Great Barrier Reef
- Recommended for
- Super great tour group, funny tour guides, great first dive.
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- 8.0 Very good
- Anna S
-
New Zealand
Great for diving experience
This is a no frills experience. Great if you are adaptable and want to do lots of diving in different areas of the coral barrier. The 3 members of the crew were very helpful
- Recommended for
- Great crew. Plenty of food.
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- 8.0 Very good
- Javier C
-
United Kingdom
Great Diving Experience
We had a fantastic experience diving in Cairns on the Rum Runner.
- Recommended for
- Freedom. Fantastic places to dive. Friendly staff.
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- 8.0 Very good
- Michael M
-
Switzerland
Beautiful walk
The sailboat is not of the first youth but the quality price is good
- Recommended for
- The captain and crew organize the cruise perfectly. The sailboat, which runs only on the engine, takes only ten passengers. The atmosphere with others is very appreciable. The dive sites are far from other boats.



































