What To Expect On A Cairns Liveaboard
Cairns liveaboard boats will take divers to the world-famous dive area of the Great Barrier Reef. Situated in tropical North Queensland, Cairns has been on the tourist trail for many years. It is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and is the point of departure for Australia's most diving liveaboards. Originally known for mining, Cairns is now known worldwide for its easy access to world-class rainforests, dazzling snorkeling, and stunning scuba diving. The city caters for every tourist - you'll find anyone and everyone here, from backpackers hanging out in hip bars to high-flying businessmen docking in the harbor on their private yachts.
Inland, it's possible to tour the luscious Daintree rainforest and gushing waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands. The drive up to Cape Tribulation is well worth it - the point at which the tarmac ends and the dirt road begins! The main attraction, however, is the phenomenon that lies off the coast of Cairns - the Great Barrier Reef - and there is no better place to depart for your dive cruise than here.
Liveaboard Diving From Cairns
Undeniably, the best way to sample the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef is onboard a liveaboard dive cruise. Visiting parts of the inner reef as a day trip is possible, but they are often crowded, and time at each site is limited. Liveaboard diving allows you to be transported in comfort to areas of the outer reef frequented much less by tourists, resulting in an experience that will last several days and live long in memory.
Scuba diving in the outer sections of the reef will introduce you to some of the most pristine, colorful, and healthy corals you are ever likely to see. The biodiversity of marine life supported here is truly outstanding, and as dive cruises tend to last a few days, divers will witness the full array of inhabitants. There are huge schools of small fish, tropical fish spanning the whole color spectrum, multiple shark species, Manta Rays, Whales, Eels, Giant Grouper - you name it, it's here!
The waters of the outer reef are renowned for their clarity, with visibility commonly over 30 meters and some sites reaching over 60. Water temperature is always pleasant, hovering around 26 degrees Celsius but ranging from 22 to 30 degrees depending on the time of year. There's a good mix of diving to suit all levels, from calm, gentle lagoons to exhilarating drift dives.
LiveAboard.com has a range of vessels, each offering its unique itinerary. Liveaboard boats tend to cruise for between 3 and 8 days depending on their route and destinations, which means guests can enjoy their diving but have plenty of time to relax. Each boat features reliable electricity, air conditioning, and a friendly and experienced crew always on hand to ensure your safety and enjoyment! Many boats also feature internet - please check this with your operator first.
Getting to Cairns
Cairns is some 1700 kilometers north of the state capital, Brisbane, meaning driving here is a bit arduous and unrealistic. However, it is very common for people to visit Cairns as part of a wider trip to Australia. By far, the easiest way to reach here is to fly. The airport is situated conveniently close to town. It is served by a huge number of large international carriers, meaning that most of the time, it's possible to fly directly into Cairns from overseas. If you can't, or other parts of Australia form part of your holiday, there are regular daily domestic flights from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Liveaboard boats are normally docked in the harbor, but diving operators will normally offer a complimentary pickup and drop off to/from your accommodation in Cairns.
