Cairns Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
The Great Barrier Reef is considered to be the most beautiful reef in the world so its no surprise that Cairns, with the Great Barrier Reef in it's backyard, is a major hotspot for snorkeling and scuba diving in Australia. Known worldwide for breathtaking sights of coral, an assortment of tropical fish and aquatic life, the Great Barrier Reef is the perfect location for both professional and amateur divers alike.
As a result Cairns is not short of scuba diving courses, tour operators, tutors, day trips, equipment suppliers and everything you could need to enjoy scuba diving in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. See our list below for some Cairns scuba diving companies that can help you plan you dream diving holiday, plus we have a great guide to diving in Cairns!
Cairns Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Upolu Cay and Outer Reef
This 5 star luxury cruiser visits 2 great destinations – the crystal clear, shallow waters and surrounding reef of Upolu Cay and "Wonder Wall" on the outer edge of Upolu Reef . Explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with us, for an unforgettable day in paradise. Enjoy personalised snorkeling, certified and introductory diving and a glass bottom boat tour, with friendly, professional crew. 6 hours in total, includes seafood buffet lunch.Great Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Cruise
Experience the beautiful Great Barrier Reef with a snorkel and dive cruise departing Port Douglas. Aboard a luxurious, stylish and comfortable catamaran, you'll venture out from the mainland to one of the best reefs in the region, Agincourt Reef. You'll be treated to a full day of adventure, relaxation and education, with interpretive reef talks and guided snorkel tours included. You'll also be given access to all snorkelling equipment, wetsuits, lycra suits and prescription masks, plus tea and coffee throughout the day and morning tea, a tropical buffet lunch and afternoon tea on board the vessel.Green Island Full Day Trip + Snorkelling OR Glass Bottom Boat
Enjoy a scenic cruise to the popular Green Island and spend hours exploring the beautiful coral cay with a full day cruise from Cairns departing at 9am. On board the 'Big Cat', a luxury 35-metre catamaran, you'll be comfortably transported to the island to enjoy a total of 5 hours exploring the island and enjoying some of its best attractions. With optional complimentary snorkelling equipment hire or a glass bottom boat tour, you'll be able to see the beautiful reef from either the water or from the dry and comfortable seat of the glass bottom boat.Premium Great Barrier Reef Cruise to 3 Reef Locations
This wonderful cruise package includes a return, air-conditioned luxury catamaran cruise that departs daily from Cairns then heads out for a day of marine adventure activities on the stunning Great Barrier Reef. While on the water you can also embark on a guided snorkel tour with a qualified reef guide or purchase a certified scuba dive expedition, or learn to dive with their introductory scuba dive. You can also enjoy a delicious hot and cold buffet lunch, soak up some sunshine on the spacious sun deck areas, enjoy hot freshwater showers and a licensed bar for drinks.
3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard Trip
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with ProDive Cairns' three-day, two-night liveaboard adventure. Explore up to eleven dive sites plus a variety of nineteen exclusive Outer Reef locations, encountering an incredible diversity of marine life. Certified divers can enjoy multiple dives each day, while snorkelers can marvel at the underwater spectacle. Unwind between dives as you soak up the sun and appreciate the majesty of this natural wonder.4 Day PADI Open Water Course
Become a certified PADI Open Water Diver in just four days with our fast-track course. Our affordable program combines two days of pool and classroom training with two exciting day trips to the stunning Great Barrier Reef. You'll receive top-notch instruction, all necessary PADI materials, and the opportunity to perfect your diving skills at two incredible reef sites. Dive into the underwater world sooner than you thought possible.Great Barrier Reef + Green Island 1 Day Tour Combo
Experience the ultimate reef and rainforest adventure in a single day. This tour whisks you away from Cairns on a high-speed catamaran to the enchanting Green Island, a unique coral cay surrounded by vibrant reefs. After two hours exploring this tropical paradise, embark on an unforgettable journey to the majestic Outer Great Barrier Reef. Immerse yourself in the underwater world by snorkelling among colourful corals and marine life, or simply relax on the spacious activity platform while enjoying a delicious buffet lunch. This all-inclusive tour caters to adventurers of all ages and abilities.Great Barrier Reef Cruise to Quicksilver Port Douglas Pontoon
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Barrier Reef with Quicksilver's Port Douglas reef tour. Journey in style aboard a high-speed catamaran to the world-renowned Agincourt Reef, famous for its vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life. Once there, explore this underwater wonderland through snorkelling, a semi-submersible tour, or the underwater observatory. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of colours and the incredible diversity of creatures thriving in this pristine environment.Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Trip from Cape Tribulation
Discover the magic of the Great Barrier Reef on this half-day eco-adventure. Departing from the stunning Cape Tribulation beach, you'll embark on a journey to two pristine snorkel destinations. Immerse yourself in the vibrant underwater world of Mackay and Undine Reefs, teeming with an extraordinary array of colourful corals, tropical fish, and majestic sea turtles. As you explore these underwater wonders, you may even catch glimpses of the lush rainforest on the mainland. This unforgettable experience offers a unique opportunity to encounter the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.
About Diving in Cairns
Diving Licenses & Courses
Getting your Scuba Diving license is like getting a passport to the most amazing adventure imaginable. Instead of travelling to another country you can dive, deep below the ocean and see a whole other world.
There are two general rules for Scuba Diving and that's to always be safe and always be responsible. To learn how to be the best diver you must receive a diving certificate. That isn't to say you can't dive without one, you can but it's a beginners course and with an instructor. There are all sorts of courses you can choose from but the most prominent course in Australia and throughout the world is PADI scuba certification.
Millions of people follow these courses to gain their scuba diving certificate and learn to dive in open waters. Once you are a little more experienced you can graduate to a PADI Adventure Diver courses and then to Advanced Open Water courses. After that you can take your Divemaster Course and become a career professional.
Amazing Coral Reefs & Dive Sites
Before you get a little too ahead of yourself get some experience by diving the different dive sites in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. There's heaps to choose from with some of the best visibility in the world. It's always a good time to dive in Cairns as the waters are warm and the reefs are extremely healthy and swarming with marine life.
There's literally dozens of dive sites to choose from so it is no wonder that Cairns pulls in diving enthusiasts from all over.
When we say the dive sites are covered in marine life we mean it. There are more than 400 species of technicolour soft and hard corals, 125 species of sharks, dolphins, dugongs, whales and that's just the big ones.
It's also a breeding ground for six species of turtle, 1500 different species of reef and tropical fish, giant clams, seahorses and even the odd confused saltwater crocodile. With such great visibility and the enviable array of fish diving with an underwater camera is an absolute must! Plus, you can show off the snaps to all your friends once you get home.
You can take a tour and be taken with a group to a few different dive sites throughout the day. These tours take care of travel, food, equipment and shed some local knowledge of the region.
You may not be keen on the regimented nature of these organised tours so you can also hire a boat and take yourself and a buddy to a less crowded site.
Many places hire out equipment but if you're a real pro you might have already packed it all in the suitcase!
Cairns Scuba Diving Tips & Advice
Diving The Great Barrier Reef is a once in a life time experience - although we think after you've done it once you'll always be itching to come back for more - however, to make sure you keep yourself and reef safe please take a look at some of our tips.
- Take your Scuba Diving license with you on holidays if you plan to dive
- Before you hop on board the boat make sure you put on some sunscreen and hat
- If you need medication please take it on the boat with you
- Make sure you lay off the booze the night before a dive
- If you are a beginner dive with licensed teachers
- Plan your dive and dive your plan
- Never dive alone
- If you are hiring a boat follow the hiring and general boating rules
- Do not disturb the fish or coral
- Take your rubbish with you
- Have fun!
This is by no means an exhaustive list of tips as we’re sure if you're diving well aware of all the risks and rules. Keep safe and be responsible both to yourself and the environment around you.
More Cairns Scuba Diving
- Visit GreatestDiveSites for more about the dive sites in Cairns.
