Liveaboard Diving in North Horn
What To Expect On A North Horn Liveaboard
North Horn liveaboards will take divers to one of the best dive sites in Australia and possibly the world for shark viewing. If Osprey Reef is on your liveaboard itinerary, you'll most certainly be visiting here. Famous for its legendary shark feed, this reef is at the very northern tip of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in the Coral Sea. It is located some 350 kilometers from Cairns and is only accessible via a liveaboard diving tour. You'll want to spend at least a few days and nights exploring this remote part of the GBR (most liveaboard cruises here last 5 days, and some up to 8!) to view as much of this underwater paradise as possible.
North Horn and all of the sections of Osprey Reef have almost guaranteed visibility of well over 30 meters and commonly over 40, ensuring that the full array of marine life will be visible for everyone diving (and also snorkeling). Conditions for liveaboard diving at North Horn are fantastic all year round, with an average water temperature between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (25 and 30 degrees Celsius). Its isolated position ensures that North Horn is never crowded, and the reef has been able to thrive, remain healthy, and support a pristine, biodiverse ecosystem.
What You Can See
One word: SHARKS! North Horn is THE place to view sharks, sharks, and more sharks in Australia. Whether you are a lover or hater of these sleek predators, you can only admire and respect their elegance as they glide swiftly through the blue with little effort. The wall drops to around 1000 meters at the reef's edge, creating a natural theatre where Australia's most well-known shark feed occurs. There's an incredible range of fish life here, but the sightings of high numbers of Hammerheads, Grey Reef Sharks, White Tips, and Silkys will ensure this dive remains long in the memory of any underwater enthusiast. The population of sharks here has resulted in their behavior being monitored as part of a University Research Project. Make sure you have a camera with a wide-angle lens if possible, as you'll want to fit as many of these wonderful creatures into your photos as possible!
Sharks are the main attraction here; however, they are far from the only residents. Amongst a backdrop of astoundingly colorful and huge soft corals, it's common to see green and loggerhead Turtles and also the occasional majestic Manta Ray. All you need to do is hover and look around through the crystal clear water to witness all of this; however, there are many fabulous shallow caves and deeper overhangs for divers to swim through, adding to the experience.
How To Get To North Horn
The only way to dive at North Horn is by boarding an Australian liveaboard that will sail you to this turquoise speck of the Coral Sea - generally as part of a tour that includes the magnificent Ribbon Reef. Some operators will take you on one leg of the journey by boat and have you complete the other by low-level reef flight, allowing you to appreciate the splendor of the GBR from the air.
Liveaboard.com has several boats to choose from, departing from the conveniently situated Queensland town of Cairns. It's a great town to visit in its own right but serves mainly as a jumping-off point for trips to the Reef. The airport is close by and is served by many international airlines, meaning that visitors can usually fly directly here from overseas. There are also regular daily flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
