OVERNIGHT (TWO DAY) CAIRNS LIVEABOARD

CAIRNS DIVE CENTRE

CDC offers both snorkel and scuba diving on their vessel M.V. Kangaroo Explorer, which carries a maximum of 36 passengers with 16 cabins. Cabins are all ensuited (double, twin and four share cabins) air conditioned and have a window. The trips depart daily, and includes complimentary bus transfers to and from your accommodation (pickup at 7:00am.)

All dive equipment is supplied, including dive computers, wetsuits, stingersuits, and torches. Ceritified divers can take part in a total of 5 day dives and 1 night dive, the total cost is $370 - doubles and twin cabins do not cost extra, but are allocated at the time of booking on a 'first come first served' basis. A refresher course is offered to all certified divers at no extra cost. This takes place the day before the dive trip between 11:30am and 12:30pm. Guided dives are $11 extra.

A snorkelling trip costs $250 and a free introductory dive in the centre's pool is offered prior to the trip. Introductory dive packages are available on board the boat. The boat visits Moore, Milln, Briggs, Channel, Elford and Thetford reefs. Vegetarians are catered for with prior notice. SSI courses are offered.

$20 per day (Port, Reef and Fuel) levy is additional to all prices quoted. It is also important to remember that luggage can be no larger than an airport carry on, but CDC can store your bags for $5 per trip.

Basic underwater cameras are available for hire on board this Cairns liveaboard at a cost of $45 for three dives. Alternately, you could rent a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10 from Cairns Unlimited digital underwater camera rental for just $75 for the entire two day trip. Other companies charge from $65 to $100 per day for this exact model of camera.

The G10 is easy to use, with a dedicated underwater mode and fully automatic shooting, but it also has advanced features that more experienced photographers will appreciate. The G10 comes with enough memory to take over 600 high resolution photographs (printable at massive A2 size) and video with sound!

BOOK THIS CAIRNS LIVEABOARD DIVING OR SNORKELLING TRIP TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL!

CORAL SEA DREAMING

This two day tour showcases great reef locations in small personal groups of no more than 12 guests. Coral Sea Dreaming owns 21 moorings at nine of the most pristine reef locations in Cairns! This overnight liveaboard visit outer reef sites such as Flynn, Milln, Tetford and Hastings Reef where you will see Barracudas, resident reef sharks, turtles, and the friendly Maori Wrasse. Coral Sea Dreaming also has its own dive compressor for unlimited tank refills, allowing you to enjoy as much diving and snorkelling as you want without a rigid schedule.

The two day, one night sailing trip costs $440 per person in a shared cabin or $460 per person in a private double cabin.

A four dive package for certified divers costs an additional $180, and a three dive package for introductory divers costs $150. All dive equipment and full length wetsuit are supplied

Coral Sea Dreaming departs at 8:00am Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and returns at approximately 4:30pm the next day.

Underwater cameras are not available for hire on board this Cairns liveaboard. Camera rental will need to be organized in advance, and Coral Sea Dreaming recommends Cairns Unlimited for your underwater camera rental. You can rent a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10 from Cairns Unlimited digital underwater camera rental for just $75 for the entire two day trip. Other companies charge from $65 to $100 per day for this exact model of camera.

The G10 is easy to use, with a dedicated underwater mode and fully automatic shooting, but it also has advanced features that more experienced photographers will appreciate. The G10 comes with enough memory to take over 600 high resolution photographs (printable at massive A2 size) and video with sound!

BOOK THIS CAIRNS LIVEABOARD DIVING OR SNORKELLING TRIP TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL!

DEEP SEA DIVERS DEN

Ocean Quest offers a 2 day liveaboard that includes both snorkelling and scuba diving. There is a free bus transfer that will pick you up from your accommodation at 7.45. This shuttle bus will also return you to your accommodation by 5.00 on day 2. The maximum passengers aboard is 48 and the cheapest cabin is a 4 person dormitary. All cabins have tvs and ensuite bathrooms, there is a large dining room, lounge and bar.

The morning is spent on the transfer boat which offers 2 dives, if possible at 2 different locations. At 2.00 the pasengers move on to Ocean Quest in time for an afternoon dive. On the second day divers have 2 more chances to dive. A night dive is also offered which means a total of 7 dives throughout the trip. Dive guides are also availiable for an extra $15.

Meals and tea are included in the price and alcohol and snacks can be purchased on the boats. Prices range from $435 for certified diving, $585 for introductory and $385 for snorkelling, plus a $20 per day reef tax. The cheapest cabin is a 4 share. Padi courses are offered.

Basic underwater cameras are available for hire on board this Cairns liveaboard at a cost of $50 per day. Alternately, you could rent a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10 from Cairns Unlimited digital underwater camera rental for just $75 for the entire two day trip. Other companies charge from $65 to $100 per day for this exact model of camera

The G10 is easy to use, with a dedicated underwater mode and fully automatic shooting, but it also has advanced features that more experienced photographers will appreciate. The G10 comes with enough memory to take over 600 high resolution photographs (printable at massive A2 size) and video with sound!

BOOK THIS CAIRNS LIVEABOARD DIVING OR SNORKELLING TRIP TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL!

REEF ENCOUNTER

A liveaboard Catamaran that accommodates around 42 passengers with its 21 twin or double cabins, all with their own private bathrooms. The trip depats daily at 7:30am from Marlin Jetty, there is a bus transfer from the city and northern beaches for an extra $10 and $16, respectively. On the second day you will return to the jetty at aproximately 4:30pm. Availiable on board is a large dining room, tv room, Bar, spacious sun deck and heated spa. Also included are gourmet meals, and a supply throughout the day of tea, coffee, milo and fresh fruit.

For certified divers there is a chance to take part in 5 day dives and 1 night dive. Dive equipment is included in the price apart from wet suit and dive torches which are an extra $5 each per day. For Certified divers the 2 day livaboard costs from $449.

The trip is also open to introductary divers and there is a large easy access water platform. Introductory divers get 5 day dives and are able to purchase an introductory night dive for an added $80. The introductary dives cost from $589.


Reef Encounter is also offered to snorkellers, these prices range from $359 and they are invited to take a free ten minute scubadiving lesson. There is also an additional charge of $15 levy per day which includes reef tax and the charge for visiting the reef. Alcohol, soft drinks, snacks, cameras, t-shirts and souvenirs can all be purchased on the boat.

Basic underwater cameras are available for hire on board this Cairns liveaboard for a cost of $66 for two days. Alternatively, you could rent a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10 from Cairns Unlimited digital underwater camera rental for just $75 for the entire two day trip. Other companies charge from $65 to $100 per day for this exact model of camera.

The G10 is easy to use, with a dedicated underwater mode and fully automatic shooting, but it also has advanced features that more experienced photographers will appreciate. The G10 comes with enough memory to take over 600 high resolution photographs (printable at massive A2 size) and video with sound!

BOOK THIS CAIRNS LIVEABOARD DIVING OR SNORKELLING TRIP TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL!

RUM RUNNER

This is a 20 metre motor sailing schooner with bunk style beds, share accommodation, share toilets and WC (shower and toilet in the same compartment), who mainly cater to the budget traveller market, doing snorkelling and diving tours, and visits around 5 different reef sites. There is a maximum of 16 guests with 4 or 5 members of crew. The boat departs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7.30 from Marlin Marina Cairns. Prices for snorkelling range from $280 including a free introductory dive, and 6 certified diving package from $360.


Full scuba gear including the wetsuits is included in the price. Night dives are offered as part of the 6 dive package, you will receive a briefing before each dive and dive leaders are also optional at no extra cost. Drinks are BYO or purchased from the bar, fresh meals are prepared on the ship, which caters for vegetarians. There is a $15 a day tax levy. PADI courses are offered.

Underwater cameras are not available for hire on board this Cairns liveaboard. Camera rental will need to be organized in advance, and Rum Runner recommends Cairns Unlimited for your underwater camera hire. You can rent a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10 from Cairns Unlimited digital underwater camera rental for just $75 for the entire two day trip. Other companies charge from $65 to $100 per day for this exact model of camera.

The G10 is easy to use, with a dedicated underwater mode and fully automatic shooting, but it also has advanced features that more experienced photographers will appreciate. The G10 comes with enough memory to take over 600 high resolution photographs (printable at massive A2 size) and video with sound!

BOOK THIS CAIRNS LIVEABOARD DIVING OR SNORKELLING TRIP TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL!

VAGABOND

The Vagabond departs every Saturday, Monday and Wednesday and boards at 730 am from Marlin Jetty. It is a luxury 65ft cruising yacht, accommodating up to 11 guests. There is no fixed dive timetable but the yacht bases itself at Moore Reef then may visit Elford Thetford and briggs reed and micaelmas and upolu cays Dives cost $35 each though an introductory dive is $75 and a night dive is $45. The price for the trip range from $290. All dive equipment is supplied within the price.


Meals are included in price and prepared on board the ships, there are also low cost drinks served at the bar. Any special dietary requirements must be explained 24 hours prior to the trip. There is a $15 a day tax levy.

Basic underwater cameras are available for hire on board this Cairns liveaboard at a cost of $50 per day. Alternatively, you could rent a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10 from Cairns Unlimited digital underwater camera rental for just $75 for the entire two day trip. Other companies charge from $65 to $100 per day for this exact model of camera.

The G10 is easy to use, with a dedicated underwater mode and fully automatic shooting, but it also has advanced features that more experienced photographers will appreciate. The G10 comes with enough memory to take over 600 high resolution photographs (printable at massive A2 size) and video with sound!

BOOK THIS CAIRNS LIVEABOARD DIVING OR SNORKELLING TRIP TO RECEIVE FREE DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL!

DIGITAL UNDERWATER CAMERA RENTAL

Unless you have your own dive camera, you will need to rent a digital underwater camera from Cairns to capture your once in a lifetime experience of scuba diving the Cod Hole or swimming and snorkelling with Dwarf Minke Whales on the Ribbon Reefs.

Disposable underwater cameras offer poor results, and once the high cost of processing is included, are far more expensive per photograph than renting a top quality digital underwater camera. It is usually possible to rent a digital underwater camera on board the dive boat, but they can be expensive and are not always good quality.

The most economical option is to have your digital underwater camera delivered to you before your departure.

'Cairns Unlimited' digital underwater camera hire have been renting digital underwater cameras in Cairns since 2007. Prices - including delivery and a free DVD - start at under $29 per day on a four day trip (much less than you would pay on board!) and drop to just $25 per day on a seven day trip. That is for a top-of-the-range 14.7 Megapixel Canon Powershot G10, with dedicated underwater mode, Canon's patented 'Image Stabilization', Macro mode for sharp closeups... and enough memory to take over 1000 high resolution photos, not to mention high quality video with sound!