Rum Runner Liveaboard, Australia
- Family Cabins
- Aircon Cabins
- Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
“Everything was well organised, the crew knew what they were doing and were super friendly to boot. ”
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 (40 AUD per trip).
Optional Extras: Gratuities, Soft drinks (2 AUD per item), Rental Gear (140 AUD per trip), Scuba Diving Courses (220 AUD), 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
- 8.6 Fabulous
- Vessel 7.1
- Crew 8.8
- Food 9.1
- Diving 8.9
- Value 9.2
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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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- 9.6 Exceptional
- Jade G
-
France
Wonderful trip
We spent a wonderful trip : 6 dives including one night dive, the crew is very friendly, the food is amazing. It was perfect !
- Recommended for
- Dive. Food. Crew.
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- 8.8 Fabulous
- Jordyn I
-
United States
Great bang for your buck for a no frills liveaboard. Would absolutely book with Rum Runner again!
As stated in a lot of reviews, this is a fantastic no frills liveaboard if that's what you're looking for. We had a great experience and the crew was kind and knowledgeable, and made for a positive environment on the boat. We didn't have a lot of time so this 2D/1N liveaboard was perfect for what we were looking for to get some dives in on this trip.
- Recommended for
- Crew. Dive sites. Food.
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- 8.8 Fabulous
- Travon C
-
United States
First time fun
Great trip. Friendly staff. Small but comfortable boat. All the dives were very well organized. Overall organization of the trip was excellent.
- Recommended for
- Crew. Guides. Location.
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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
- 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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- 9.6 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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- 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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- 8.8 Fabulous
- Laurence G
-
Belgium
A magical moment out of time
Having not dived for 9 years, the launch was more complicated than expected but thanks to the kindness of the instructors, I returned gently and was able to appreciate what I had come for: the corals!The food cooked on board was good and fresh: vegetables, watermelon! In the evening, a good friendly atmosphere thanks to Bear and PJ.
- Recommended for
- The kindness and benevolence of the crew. Security. The place.
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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


































