Rum Runner Liveaboard, Australia
8.5 Fabulous - Family Cabins
- Aircon Cabins
- Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
“Nice combination of showing where the best dive spots are while still allowing you to explore at your own pace. ”
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, Visas and 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.
Pay by bank transfer or online with
Drawings & Vessel Layouts
Cabin Types
Rum Runner Reviews
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- 8.5 Fabulous
- Vessel 7.1
- Crew 8.7
- Food 9.0
- Diving 8.7
- Value 9.1
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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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- 10 Exceptional
- Jarno L
-
Finland
Highly recommended
This was a wonderful experience. Everything was well organised, the crew knew what they were doing and were super friendly to boot. Nice combination of showing where the best dive spots are while still allowing you to explore at your own pace. Highly recommended.
- Recommended for
- Great atmosphere, friendly and professional crew, top-notch dive spots
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- 9.6 Exceptional
- Guillaume J
-
France
Had a blast
Boat choses the spot so you're the only boat on the reef in the best possible reef (relative to weather etc)
- Recommended for
- Bang for buck, crew friendliness, freedom to explore away from the crowds
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- 9.6 Exceptional
- Julie L
-
Switzerland
Good dives and good times
Really nice dives with some through "coral tunnel", a night dive and a really good time just chilling on the boat. Great experience!
- Recommended for
- Nice dives, good atmosphere, friendly crew
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- 8.4 Very good
- Ananda S
-
United States
A fun adventure!
Music onboard, hot shower after the dive, the rocky boat sleeping experience, the gorgeous fish, coral, and caverns on the reef.
- Recommended for
- 1) Captain PJ with his reef talk and guitar playing, 2) Kate and her excellent breifings, friendliness, and professionalism, and 3) the amazing underwater beauty.
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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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- 9.2 Superb
- Swen-Joerg W
-
Germany
Great Diving with Friends and "Family"
Everything: an amazing and impressing trip with the same kind of people on the boat. Of Course I can write about the professional shark feeding at the end which was very impressiv. But that would not just to restrict the other things on that trip.....the profession and so realy friendly crew, the charme of an old sailingboat an even all the experiences of the dives before. Who is loving a kind of adventur is here perfect picked up.
- Recommended for
- The Ocean; Stars while sleeping on the top of the boat; Underwater landscape full with corals and fishes
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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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- 8.8 Fabulous
- Taylor Q
- United States
The most authentic way to see the Great Barrier Reef
I booked this trip looking for a more authentic and communal experience on the Great Barrier Reef and the Rum Runner exceeded my expectations, would 100% recommend to anyone. Because of the size, the passengers and crew quickly became like family. You get to go to a few different dive spots without seeing crowds of other boats or tourists, and seeing the stars at night is so worth the overnight experience. The crew is absolutely fantastic - they make you feel right at home with added benefits of full cooked meals, education and entertainment. They even made each dive feel catered to your skillset. Keep in mind you probably won't sleep very much since the bunks aren't air conditioned (they are comfortable though) and the rules are 3 second showers so be prepared to be a little salty and sweaty, all part of the experience though! Perfect mix of snorkeling and diving which is great for any skill level, and solo or group travelers. This will be one of my favorite experiences in Australia.
- Recommended for
- Amazing crew, opportunity to bond with other passengers, secluded days on the reef!
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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.
