Rum Runner Liveaboard, Australia

from $ 146 / day
9.0 Superb
16 Verified Reviews 16 Verified Reviews
Flexible Booking

BOOK NOW

The S.V Rum Runner Australia is a fantastic budget-friendly way to dive the Great Barrier Reef. There are 2 tours available, a 2-day/1-night itinerary away from the crowds at the Outer Great Barrier Reef, or a longer 3-night expedition to dive with sharks at the even more remote Holmes Reef. The classic 1-night tour is perfect for divers, snorkellers or even people who would like to try diving in this amazing area. 6 dives are available, including a night dive, meaning that you will get the most out of your 2 days on the Great Barrier Reef. For the more adventurous diver, the 3-night Coral Sea shark-diving trip is a must. Holmes Reef lies 90 miles outside of the Great Barrier Reef, so due to its isolation is home to abundant sharks, large pelagic fish life and incredible visibility - up to 50m.

Topside the S/V Rum Runner can accommodate up to 16 guests in twin and 4-share single bunk-syle berths. Cabins are not very spacious or private - more like a multi-share hostel but on water, but ideal for resting after a day of diving or snorkeling. Common areas include an open salon and galley, as well as covered and open deck areas. There are also charging areas for cameras and phones, and separate male and female shared bathrooms with hot water shower. All meals are included but the boat operates a Bring Your Own Alcohol policy - no glass allowed.

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. Call us or book online today to reserve your space.

FLEXIBLE BOOKING TERMS - Learn more about what this means

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

2023

2024

2025

Included: VAT, National Park Fees, Port Fees, Visas and Fees, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks.

Required Extras: Environment Tax, Fuel Surcharge (20 AUD per day).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Soft drinks (2 AUD per item), Diving Package (180 AUD per trip), Private Dive Guide (44 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 Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

Camera Station
Aircon Cabins
Sun Deck
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Outdoor Dining
Charging stations
Family Cabins
Snorkeling Equipment
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Dedicated Local & International Crew
Available for Charter

Food & Drinks

Western Food
Local Food
Vegetarian Options
Buffet style
Snacks All Day
Vegan Options
Full-board Option

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

DIN Adaptors
Dive deck

The crew speaks English.

Gear Rental

There is diving gear available on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. See below for further details on inclusions and pricing. Show prices.

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Accommodation

Bunks

Boat Specifications

Year built 1984
Length 66ft
Max guests 16

Boat Navigation and Safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits
Fishfinder
Satellite & mobile phones
Bilge pump alarm
Search light

Rum Runner Reviews

9.0 Superb
16 Verified Reviews

Vessel
7.5
Crew
9.0
Food
9.6
Diving
9.4
Value
9.5

9.2 Superb
robert G
United States

Small group experience w family run business

Getting to know Captain Jase, authentic,skilled,and generous. From one green man to annother

Recommended for: Hanna,Paige,George

8.8 Fabulous
Eric D
United States

Felt as though we had a real diving experience without unnecessary comforts and distractions.

Improved diving skills, beautiful reefs, interesting conversations with people from around the world.

Recommended for: Professional dives, good company, escape from the internet.

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.

6.0 Review score
Mark S
United States

Good hosts and food. Very professional. Boat and some equipment need updating

Ask for “The Labyrinth” dice.

Recommended for: Good Day 2 selection of dives. Crew worked well together, made us feel at home and kept us on time.

9.2 Superb
Amber H
United States

Wonderful intimate experience with the GBR

Absolutely the best bang for your buck. This is my second trip to the GBR and I would prefer this experience over the more fancy boats anytime. You loose the Disneyland factor and gain an authentic experience with real people, great instructors and a great adventure. At the end of the day it’s about the diving, and I can’t tell you it was absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to come back and dive with the sharks. I’ll be back!

Recommended for: The dive sites, the instructors and the small groups

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!

8.8 Fabulous
Sheridan V
Australia

Great Diving at Thetford Reef

Mystery - towering coral columns and swim throughs made this site something special

Recommended for: Diving, diving and more diving. No frills or other time wasters on this trip.

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

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

9.2 Superb
Julian S
Austria

As awesome as you would expect

Deep dive

Recommended for: Crew, diving, trip

9.2 Superb
Jess G
Australia

Excellent Experience

We had excellent weather the whole trip and as a result epic visibility. I didn’t dive, I snorkelled, and my experience was the dive crew preferred the company of divers that at times felt like the snorkelers weren’t given direction or guidance. Otherwise the whole experience was fabulous. The menu was very complimentary to lots of time in the water. The skipper was really friendly and knowledgeable. The dive sites were incredibly beautiful and vibrant - exactly how I had hope to experience The Great Barrier Reef. Highly recommend.

Recommended for: Excellent weather - friendly skipper - authentic experience