Great Barrier Reef Overnight Snorkel and Dive Sail Tour with Private Cabin
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June 2026
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Highlighted reviews
Our family loved this trip. It was a wonderful small-group experience.
Captain Justin and dive instructors Chad, Darren, and Peter created a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere while always being super attentive to safety. We were put in small groups for diving, and the crew met us exactly where we were - offering assistance where needed, and giving us space when we demonstrated our experience levels. One of our family snorkeled instead of diving, and really appreciated having a guide to point out interesting sights. The whole trip felt low-pressure and high support. The ship is small, and this is definitely not a luxury cruise. That said, the crew took care of everything we needed, providing meals and snacks, drinks and fresh drinking water. The only blip in the entire process were some hiccups with communication when we had questions about the ship layout and snorkeling options. We highly recommend Coral Sea Dreaming for anyone who wants a small, family-owned, safety-minded, friendly and supportive dive experience.
I had the absolute best time diving and sailing with the crew on coral sea dreaming.
The sail boat itself if not the most luxurious but that is what made the trip so special. With only 5 crew and 8 passengers everyone connected quickly and the vibes were always good. The dive guides Darren, Chad, and Peter were patient and made sure every dive was safe as well as exciting. My mom and I did four day dives and one night dive which we loved. The equipment was all in perfect condition and we had no problems while diving. There is also no need to stress as the crew sets up all the equipment and double checks everything throughout the whole process. The night dive was amazing and unlike anything I have done before, Our group saw many sharks and great trevaly which very active at night and amazing sight to see. Lastly, Captain justin was amazing as well he brought a very lively energy to the boat and was clearly an experienced captain. If you are looking for a dive boat with incredible energy and great dives i would highly recommend coral sea dreaming!!
What you can expect
Discover the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef on this overnight cruise from Cairns. The 2 day/1 night Snorkel and Dive Cruise is suitable for snorkelers and divers visiting up to 9 different coral reefs including the Michaelmas Cay, Upolu Reef, Milln Reef, Flynn Reef. Set sail out of Cairns to the Outer Barrier Reef and swim through coral gardens, incredible bommies and encounter curious marine life such as turtles, small reef sharks and schools of pelagic fish.
Guests will sleep overnight on the Coral Sea Dreaming yacht in cosy cabins with fresh linen, bath towels and hot showers for a lucky 12 passengers. The sailing motorboat comes fully stocked with delicious homemade meals and drinks can be purchased from the bar. The vessel is fully equipped with all snorkelling and diving equipment plus wetsuits and stinger suits to take you on your Great Barrier Reef adventure. Enjoy unlimited snorkelling, guided tours and optional introductory and certified day and night dives. Experience a glorious sunset and sunrise over the Great Barrier Reef plus evening and early morning snorkel and dives- an experience that no day trip can provide. On your return to Cairns, enjoy a relaxing sail on the Coral Sea often accompanied by Dolphins and Whales (in season).
Tours depart from Cairns Marlin Marina on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7.45am. Get in early and book your place on this overnight Great Barrier Reef adventure here!
Location
What you need to know
- 2 day/ 1 night Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dive Sail Cruise Tour
- Exclusive access to 25 moorings on 9 different reefs including: Three Sisters, The Whale, Little Tracey, Point Break, 5-Ways, Michaelmas Cay & Upolu Reef
- Morning/afternoon tea & snacks
- Delicious homemade meals prepared onboard
- Unlimited snorkelling - guiding upon request
- 1x free (10min) try dive offered to all first-time divers
- All snorkelling & quality dive equipment (wetsuits/stinger suits)
- Cabin accommodation with fresh linen & bath towels (hot showers are shared)
- Private Cabin accommodation - Double bed - 2 guests per bed in a private room
- Hotel Transfers
- Bar facilities on board (no BYO)
- Cool merchandise for sale and underwater camera hire
- Certified Dive and Introductory Dive - available for onboard purchase only
- Reef levy: $40 pp. Payable on board (includes environmental management charge, port charge & admin fee)
- Dietary requirement: $10pp. Payable on board. (applies upon request for vegan, gluten free & dairy intolerance). Please advise your requirement at time of booking
- Day 1:
- Board the boat for morning tea and greet the crew
- Set sail as we motorsail to Cairns outermost reefs. Along the way we conduct introductory and certified dive briefing and a marine naturalist brief. There is plenty of time for passengers to mingle, relax and get to know each other
- Arrive at our first Outer Reef location (eg. Flynn Reef or Millin Reef). This site will be chosen to suit the range of in-water experience of our passengers. Depths will range from 5 to 28 meters giving divers a wide range of options. For the snorkeler, you’ll experience extensive coral gardens with an unbelievable amount of marine life. Expect to encounter turtles, small reef sharks and schools of pelagic fish. Our in-water activities are followed by lunch
- After lunch the vessel will move to a second location at Flynn or Milln Reef (weather-dependent). Here, large coral bommies sit alongside a reef wall making diving and snorkelling truly spectacular. Dive to 18 meters or snorkel the shallow reef flats
- After the second dive, a cheese plate is served while the guests rest from in-water activities. Time for some relaxation and mingling with other guests if desired
- Dinner is served once activities are completed (during winter, dinner may be served prior to night diving)
- After dinner, the divers are briefed for the night dive, which typically starts around 7-7.30, after sunset
- Once the night dive is completed, it’s time for more relaxing – and perhaps a tea, hot chocolate or a glass of wine or beer from the on-board bar, along with some tall tales from the sea
- Day 2:
- Awake to the dawn and watch the sun rise over the Coral Sea. Throw yourself into the warm tropical water and wake yourself up! This is the perfect time to snorkel or scuba dive as early morning is a fantastic time to see reef sharks, turtles and cruising pelagic fish. Breakfast is served
- Boat departs to its next location - often to “The Whale” dive site. This large coral bommie stands in 24 meters of water with excellent surrounding coral gardens, perfect for diving and snorkelling, close to the boat. It is also a great dive to see the reef sharks. Morning tea is served.
- After mid-morning, the boat travels to the final dive location, for example the Thetford reef. Coral-draped walls rise from 18 meters in a circular lagoon to ensure great diving and snorkelling
- These are shallower reefs with lots of soft coral and isolated bommies. If you are “activity-out”, this is also an excellent time to catch up on some serious sun tanning or relax, read a book and take in the stunning views. Lunch is served before departure
- Upon leaving our anchorage we hoist the sails. It is very common to have dolphins surf the bow wave and during the winter months, see humpback whales. The emphasis on the journey home is to relax and enjoy the company of new found friends. Finally, as we leave behind the wonders of the reef, passengers are treated to a spectacular view as we approach one of Australia’s most scenic harbours – mountains on the left and right rising high above a beautiful tropical city skyline
- Check in at 7.45am (departs 8am) at Berth 2, A Finger, Cairns Marlin Marina, Spence Street
- Returns at 4pm the 2nd Day
- Days of Operation: Tuesday and Saturday
- Dive Card for Certified Divers and log book
- Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, beach towel & camera
- Warm clothes during cooler months and evening
- One SMALL overnight bag (Storage for additional luggage available upon request)
- Shoes are not worn while on the boat, so it is not necessary to bring any special type of deck shoes
- Cards or Cash onboard for any charges, including any trip balances owed, extra diving activities and/or any other onboard purchases
- Minimum 4 pax to operate and maximum 12 pax per tour
- Itinerary allows 4x day cert dives & 1x night dive/ 3x day intro dives with optional night dive (conditions apply) or 4x day intro. Snorkelling available all times except night
- This tour is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness
- The minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years
- Weather can vary and the Outer Reef is up to 50 kilometers from Cairns. Coral Sea Dreaming is an adventure tour suitable for those who can swim, snorkel or dive
- This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 4 years, non-swimmers and persons with mobility issues
- Please note, the itinerary is reflective of weather conditions at the time. The supplier has access to over 25 exclusive moorings at 9 reef systems, we will always seek the best option given the weather conditions to ensure guests enjoy the best possible locations on the day and are comfortable and safe. Therefore, times and locations visited may vary
- This tour is suitable for people with a moderate level of fitness
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Please note that there are no refunds for dives not completed because of change of mind, sea sickness or similar
- All snorkelers/ divers must complete a medical questionnaire. This will be attached to your voucher at time of booking. Certain medical conditions (i.e. asthma, heart disease, epilepsy) may preclude diving. Final decision reside with qualified instructors, who value your safety
- If any of the medical conditions apply, the supplier will need to see a certificate from a doctor declaring them fit to drive
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Availability is accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
- If you plan for flying and diving, a minimum of 24 hours is required from the end of your last dive (multiple dives) before flying or 12 hours for single dives. The last dive is completed by 8:30pm on the first day and 12pm on the second day
- Cruise vessel subject to change without notice
Recent reviews
What an amazing experience!
Two days and one night on a sailing boat with an awesome crew that were fun, super kind and helpful and made sure we had a great time. They took us to the best spots on the reef and we had plenty of time to explore all the beauty underwater. Whether you are a certified diver or only stick to snorkeling, you will definitely have a great time. I only did snorkeling and was a bit worried that I would miss out but NO! I saw reef sharks, sea turtles, a ray, trigger fish, potato cod, barracuda and so much beautiful coral and colourful fish! If you are planning to go to the great barrier reef, better do it with a small and local company. This one I highly recommend!
I had the absolute best time diving and sailing with the crew on coral sea dreaming.
The sail boat itself if not the most luxurious but that is what made the trip so special. With only 5 crew and 8 passengers everyone connected quickly and the vibes were always good. The dive guides Darren, Chad, and Peter were patient and made sure every dive was safe as well as exciting. My mom and I did four day dives and one night dive which we loved. The equipment was all in perfect condition and we had no problems while diving. There is also no need to stress as the crew sets up all the equipment and double checks everything throughout the whole process. The night dive was amazing and unlike anything I have done before, Our group saw many sharks and great trevaly which very active at night and amazing sight to see. Lastly, Captain justin was amazing as well he brought a very lively energy to the boat and was clearly an experienced captain. If you are looking for a dive boat with incredible energy and great dives i would highly recommend coral sea dreaming!!
Our family loved this trip. It was a wonderful small-group experience.
Captain Justin and dive instructors Chad, Darren, and Peter created a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere while always being super attentive to safety. We were put in small groups for diving, and the crew met us exactly where we were - offering assistance where needed, and giving us space when we demonstrated our experience levels. One of our family snorkeled instead of diving, and really appreciated having a guide to point out interesting sights. The whole trip felt low-pressure and high support. The ship is small, and this is definitely not a luxury cruise. That said, the crew took care of everything we needed, providing meals and snacks, drinks and fresh drinking water. The only blip in the entire process were some hiccups with communication when we had questions about the ship layout and snorkeling options. We highly recommend Coral Sea Dreaming for anyone who wants a small, family-owned, safety-minded, friendly and supportive dive experience.