Australia · SCUBA DIVING

15 Dive Trips in Australia, From Cheapest Up

29 tours  ·  from $91

Good dive trips sell out well ahead and the pick of them go first. Here are 15 to lock in early, what each includes, and where they part company.

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns - The long crossing to the outer reef
Boat Tours in the Great Barrier Reef, Cruises & Boat Tours, Great Barrier Reef Tours, Queensland Tours, Scuba Diving, Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in the Great Barrier Reef, Tour Reviews

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

1.Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,714 reviews · from $190Our pick

Board Evolution in Cairns for a full day at two outer Great Barrier Reef sites. Snorkel with crew support, add an introductory or certified scuba session, or book a 10-minute helicopter flight. Marine biologists such as Indy and Phil may help explain the reef, while lunch, wetsuits, gear, afternoon snacks, and a glass of wine are included.

“Waves were pretty bad, but the entertainment and snorkeling were great. If big waves and strong wind skip and rebook. Great experience.”

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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise - Upolu Cay for shallow coral and easy viewing
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Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

2.Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,895 reviews · from $181Top rated

Board the 65-foot Ocean Freedom catamaran at Cairns for a full day at Upolu Cay and Wonder Wall. You can snorkel, join marine naturalist tours, take a glass-bottom boat ride, or add certified or introductory scuba. Expect breakfast snacks, a seafood buffet, afternoon treats, and close crew support in a group capped at 75.

“Fantastic tour with a small family company. Pastries and coffee and tea on arrival. Great instructions for snorkelling at the snorkelling sights - saw so much including sting rays and turtles. Really enjoyed the drift snorkel with our guide explaining what we could see. Tasty lunch with fruit platters, cheese and biscuits and cake on the journey home. Great day!”

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Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise - Wonder Wall gives you the first look at the reef
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Cairns: Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

3.Outer and Coral Cay Snorkel and Dive Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,467 reviews · 9 hours - 1 day · from $183

Join Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom from Cairns for a full reef day aboard a fast 20-metre catamaran. You’ll visit Wonder Wall and Upolu Coral Cay, snorkel with marine guides, ride a glass-bottom boat, and choose optional certified or introductory scuba. Crew members such as Ollie, Paul, Tori, and Blair are praised for calm, careful instruction.

“I had a great diving time with ocean freedom. Ollie is a very nice diving instructor. He’s patient and attentive to detail. I felt safe and well taken care of throughout the dives. The staff were also great! They made the whole experience so enjoyable.”

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Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour - Snorkeling in the sheltered coral lagoon
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Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

4.Snorkel & Dive the Reef: Sustainable, Scientific & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 841 reviews · from $232

Travel by fast catamaran from Cairns to Reef Magic’s Marine World platform, where you can snorkel in a sheltered coral lagoon, join marine biologist talks, and use the glass-bottom boat, semi-submersible, and underwater observatory. Optional scuba sessions, helmet walks, and helicopter flights cost extra. Guides including Ella, Ethan, Kaitlin, and Takuya have earned praise for patient help in the water.

“It was a good experience They took participant safety very seriously Well organized - friendly and helpful They went out of the way to make sure everyone got something out of the trip. The views from the chopper were amazing Highly recommend the team”

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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour - What the morning looks like aboard the boat
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Cairns: Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

5.Great Barrier Reef Premium Diving Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 792 reviews · 9 hours · from $127Best value

From Cairns Marlin Marina, spend about nine hours aboard Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel, with five hours split between two outer reef sites. Snorkel coral gardens, hear creation stories from Gimuy Walubara Yidinji, Gunggandji, Mandingalbay, and Yirrganydji guides, and add an introductory or certified scuba session if selected.

“We really enjoyed our GBR experience! We stopped at 2 great reefs and saw many fish and a couple turtles. There was a marine biologist onboard to share and answer any questions. And the teaching about indigenous culture was great too! The boat and crew made the day wonderful!”

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Port Douglas: Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options - Leaving Port Douglas on the catamaran
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Port Douglas: Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options

6.Outer Barrier Reef Snorkel and Dive Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 438 reviews · 7h 30m · from $174

From Port Douglas, cruise to Opal or Agincourt Reefs for three snorkel stops, optional scuba, reef talks, meals, and plenty of deck space. The English-speaking crew includes guides such as Ruth, Reenie, Delphine, Dave, and marine biologist Freya, though staff vary by departure.

“Amazing trip. The staff are outstanding and made the day special from beginning to end. We were very lucky to dive with Reenie who was the absolute best! She made my partner feel calm on her first dive and checked on us the whole trip. Can’t recommend the team highly enough!”

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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise - Leaving Cairns aboard Silverswift
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Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

7.Silverswift Dive and Snorkel Great Barrier Reef Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 432 reviews · from $212

Spend about 10 hours aboard Silverswift, a 29-meter catamaran sailing from Cairns to three outer reef sites. Snorkel all day, try one or two introductory scuba sessions, or complete up to three certified descents. Guides such as Matilda, Paul, Vanessa, and Dave help first-timers feel at ease, while lunch, tea, equipment, showers, and reef guides are included.

“The crew was professional, friendly, and always very helpful! We did scuba diving and totally enjoyed the experience.”

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Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel - Why three Agincourt sites are better than one
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Port Douglas: Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

8.Silversonic Great Barrier Reef Dive & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 311 reviews · from $208

Spend about eight hours aboard the 29-meter Silversonic catamaran, cruising from Port Douglas to three Agincourt Ribbon Reef sites. Snorkel with supplied gear, join one guided snorkel tour, or add scuba sessions if available. Expect reef briefings, buffet lunch, hot showers, and a licensed bar. Dwarf Minke whale encounters are possible from July to September.

“The staff aboard are fun-loving and very helpful. They really made it such a treat. The food was really good and more than enough, with lots of extra treats, like hot tea and coffee and cake slices.”

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Cairns: Best Value All-inclusive Reef Trip With Scuba Dive - From your hotel to Marlin Marina
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Cairns: Best Value All-inclusive Reef Trip With Scuba Dive

9.Best Value All-inclusive Reef Trip With Scuba Dive

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 307 reviews · 1 day · from $184

From Cairns, Reef Experience takes you by catamaran to two reef sites for unlimited snorkelling and one included scuba session, either certified or a 20-minute introduction. Breakfast, barbecue lunch, tea, coffee, and wine with cheese are covered. Crew members including Tia, Dan, and Alexandra have helped first-timers feel safe and supported.

“Went diving as a certified diver, it was a great dive at the first site and there was extra time to go snorkelling after the dive. So much marine life to see and a huge variety of corals. The whole trip was well organised and nothing seemed rushed. Lunch was good, with a nice selection available. The second dive was a little disappointing with not as much to see, obviously this would be dependant on the marine life around at the time but the coral formations were also not as impressive. Overall though it was a great day out and well worth doing, the photos were a nice addition as…”

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Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns - Four hours on the cay
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Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns

10.Ocean Spirit Sail to Michaelmas Cay Snorkel or Dive, from Cairns

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 170 reviews · from $197

Sail from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay aboard Ocean Spirit, a large catamaran with four hours at a protected seabird cay. Snorkel from the sand, join a marine biologist, take a semi-submersible tour, or book an introductory scuba session. The day includes morning and afternoon tea, a hot and cold seafood buffet, and reef talks from staff such as Luiza, Jayden, and Kevin.

“The grandkids loved the snorkelling and seeing all the fish, followed a turtle and saw the jumbo clam shells! Great boat ! Staff were very pleasant.”

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Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel - Leaving Cairns for Moore Reef
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Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

11.Great Barrier Reef with Cultural Guides-Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 156 reviews · from $165

Spend about nine hours traveling from Cairns to Moore Reef and Milln or Flynn Reef. Indigenous guides share Creation Stories, tools, music, and reef culture, while you snorkel with marine guides at two outer reef sites. Equipment, instruction, morning tea, buffet lunch, and afternoon tea are included.

“Great Experience for Scuba Diving! Sofia, Jeff, Drew and Jacob were very helpful and great! Definitely make sure you’re paying attention during instruction as this is your life and the instructors have tons of others to worry about as well! They were very kind and knowledgeable, very helpful and friendly! Great experience!”

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Swim with Humpback Whales - Ningaloo Reef - 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive - The spotter plane makes a practical difference
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Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

12.Swim with Humpback Whales – Ningaloo Reef – 3 Islands Whale Shark Dive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $430

Spend about eight hours in Ningaloo Marine Park with a maximum of 14 people. A spotter plane helps locate humpback whales and other marine life, while crew members such as Sarah, Mel, Amy, Nos, and pilot Tif handle the day. You get snorkel equipment, wetsuits, meals, photos, hotel pickup, and a chance to see turtles, manta rays, dolphins, dugongs, coral, fish, and possibly a whale shark.

“Highly recommend these guys. I had an amazing experience with Drawcard boat crew. Very informative and thorough. All equipments and photographers are included. Highly recommend to take motion sick pills before boarding the boat for max experience!”

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Scuba Dive Ningaloo Reef - A boat day with room to settle in
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Scuba Dive Ningaloo Reef

13.Scuba Dive Ningaloo Reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · from $200

Join a professional guide from Exmouth for two boat-based underwater sessions at Ningaloo Reef. Your day includes gear, safety instruction, Nitrox for certified participants, snacks, drinks, buffet lunch, and optional hotel transfers. Expect about seven hours on the water, with possible sightings of potato cod, turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins, clownfish, and bait balls.

“Excellent organisation and execution for 2 days diving. Varied dives in the Lighthouse Bay and Blizzard Ridge area. Large boat with only 7 divers one day and 9 the next. Good and plentiful food. Felt very well looked after in terms of safety and Read more”

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Cairns: 2-Day Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Boat Trip - A small yacht with a social feel
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Cairns: 2-Day Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Boat Trip

14.2-Day Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 86 reviews · 2 days · from $466

Join Coral Sea Dreaming from Cairns for two days aboard a 16-meter yacht with only 12 people. Snorkel across nine reefs, sleep onboard, and add guided scuba sessions, including an after-dark session for certified participants. Captain Justin and guides such as Chad help keep the trip friendly, personal, and safe.

“Great option for snorkeling, can pay extra for diving. See a lot either way. Make sure you get any medical checks / certificates done beforehand if you plan to dive.”

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Rottnest Island Boat Dive Day Trip including Lunch - What happens during the two scuba sessions
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Rottnest Island Boat Dive Day Trip including Lunch

15.Rottnest Island Boat Dive Day Trip including Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · from $186

Board Blue Destiny’s 68-foot twin-deck catamaran in Fremantle for a full day around Rottnest Island. You get two boat-based scuba sessions, one air cylinder, snorkelling equipment, lunch, drinks, snacks, and the marine reserve levy. The boat does not normally stop on the island, though paid drop-off may be available.

“We loved the day on the water. Visiability was good. 1st dive was a bit deep, however the second dive was wonderful. The crew were fantastic and the food delicious. Thank you Blue Destiny for an unforgettable experience.”

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New in Scuba Diving

★ 5.0Rottnest Island scuba dive tourFrom $18625 reviews
★ 5.0Rottnest Island Deep Dive Day TripsFrom $18629 reviews
★ 5.0Double Dive to South Solitary Island Coffs HarbourFrom $18231 reviews
★ 5.0Blue Dive Private Guided Scuba Dive CairnsFrom $60634 reviews
★ 5.04-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course – Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier ReefFrom $67727 reviews
★ 4.9Bondi: Shark Dive at Bushrangers Bay for Certified DiversFrom $27221 reviews
★ 4.4Introductory SCUBA Diving ExperienceFrom $9134 reviews
★ 4.6Green Island and Seawalker Helmet Dive ComboFrom $18323 reviews

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