OceanQuest Liveaboard Review
OceanQuest is the overnight boat of Deep Sea Divers Den, and the easiest way to try a liveaboard. You can stay one to five nights, and it leaves every day. Snorkellers, first-time divers and certified divers all travel together. It stays on the Norman, Saxon and Hastings reefs off Cairns.
Snorkel, first dive or certified
Snorkel, 1 night
Up to three reef locations a day. Pick-up 7:30am day 1, back about 5:00pm day 2. Departs every day.
Snorkel, 2 nights
Up to three reef locations a day. Pick-up 7:30am day 1, back about 5:00pm day 3. Departs every day.
Intro dive, 1 night
One introductory dive plus snorkelling, ages 12+. Pick-up 7:30am day 1, back about 5:00pm day 2. Departs every day.
Intro dive, 2 nights
One introductory dive plus snorkelling, ages 12+. Pick-up 7:30am day 1, back about 5:00pm day 3. Departs every day.
Certified diving, 1 night
Up to four dives a day, night diving included. Pick-up 7:30am day 1, back about 5:00pm day 2. Departs every day.
Certified diving, 2 nights
Up to four dives a day, night diving included. Pick-up 7:30am day 1, back about 5:00pm day 3. Departs every day.
Prices are per person, valid to 31 March 2027, including GST and the reef charge. Longer stays: snorkel 3 nights $1170, 4 nights $1390, 5 nights $1610; certified 3 nights $1485, 4 nights $1810, 5 nights $2135; intro 3 nights with two intro dives $1320. Tell us in the notes and we will book it. A surcharge applies for sole occupancy.
What is included on OceanQuest Liveaboard
- Air-conditioned ensuite cabin, bedding and towels
- All meals on board, chilled water, tea and coffee
- Snorkel gear including prescription masks, and tuition
- Dive gear, dive computer and air fills (intro and certified)
- Night diving for certified divers
- Transfers from Cairns city accommodation
Is OceanQuest right for you?
How the day runs
Sample 1 night itinerary. Longer stays repeat the reef days.
Before you go
The full review
A week in the Coral Sea is not for everyone, in time or in budget. OceanQuest lets you spend one night on the outer reef, two if you can, and wake up at the dive site.
Day one starts with a hotel pick-up and a 90 minute trip out on the day boat, with two sessions in the water on the way. In the afternoon you move to OceanQuest, settle into your cabin and get back in. Certified divers can also dive at night. Next morning there are two more sessions before the boat home.
It works well for mixed groups. A snorkeller, a first-time diver and a certified diver can share the trip. Intro dives go to 12 metres with at most four divers per instructor, and every cabin has air-con and its own bathroom. Children are welcome with an adult, but there are no facilities for babies.
Why it earns Best First Liveaboard and a 4.6: it leaves every day, you can stay just one night, and beginners are as welcome as experienced divers. The trade-off is that you stay on the Cairns reefs, which Libby calls a great local option, rather than going far north.
OceanQuest Liveaboard FAQs