Best Liveaboards In Australia: Guide To Discovering Australia By Liveaboard

With one of the best liveaboards in Australia, you can embark on an unparalleled underwater adventure. After all, Australia boasts remarkable dive sites such as the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef. However, with several liveaboards to choose between, finding one that suits your needs and budget can be challenging. 

The best way to explore Australia’s reefs and diverse marine life is by liveaboard. While you might have heard of the Great Barrier Reef, many other dive sites are worth exploring. This includes Kimberly Coast and Rowley Shoals. The Ocean Quest liveaboard is ideal if you’re working with a budget. However, if you’re seeking luxurious amenities, Shore Thing is perfect.

So what are the best liveaboards in Australia? This post will guide you toward the top options with the best itineraries. 

The Best Australia Liveaboards at a Glance

1. Best budget liveaboard in Australia: Ocean Quest
2. Best luxury liveaboard: Shore Thing
3. Best liveaboard for dives in Rowley Shoals: Odyssey
4. Best for a Great Barrier Reef diving adventure: Spoilsport
5. Best liveaboard for an intimate diving experience: Coral Sea Dreaming

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The Top Liveaboard Diving Locations in Australia

The best itineraries for Australian liveaboards cover these five different areas:

1.  Great Barrier Reef

This prime spot in Queensland is renowned for diving in eastern Australia. It’s also the largest and healthiest coral reef system globally. Most liveaboard trips around the Great Barrier Reef provide a flexible itinerary tailored to ocean conditions. Expect to visit Norman Reef, Saxon Reef, and Hastings Reef, amongst many others.

2.  Rowley Shoals

If you’re seeking unexplored dive sites, Rowley Shoals, off the coast of Western Australia, are your best bet. Liveaboards often venture to Rowley Shoals Marine Park, where you can explore sites along Australia’s continental shelf. 

3.  Ningaloo Reef

Situated near Coral Bay, this site stands out for its vibrant reef life, whale sharks, sea turtles, dugongs, whales, and manta rays. Typically, liveaboard itineraries start near Coral Bay and venture to Bateman’s Bay, which is excellent for encountering manta rays. Since Ningaloo is accessible from the shore, it’s suitable for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. 

4.  Kimberley Coast

This area is popular because of its unique cultural and geological attractions and unexplored dive sites, offering distinctive liveaboard itineraries. Not all liveaboards follow the same route to explore this region. Therefore, they may depart from Broome and visit spots such as the Dampier Peninsula, Buccaneer Archipelago, and Horizontal Waterfalls, concluding in Darwin.

5.  Osprey Reef

Located in the Coral Sea, Osprey Reef is a submerged atoll offering the best diving in Australia. It’s accessible via liveaboard from Cairns. And it provides diverse marine life and coral species, contributing to the allure of the best itineraries for Australian liveaboards.

Best Liveaboards in Australia

1.  Ocean Quest

Our Expert Opinion: Best Budget Liveaboard in Australia

The OceanQuest Liveaboard may be the best budget liveaboard in Australia, but it also offers luxurious amenities. Therefore, you can travel in style without breaking the bank. Expect cabins with en-suite facilities, air conditioning, and a TV. Also, the diving experiences are exceptional, leaving an indelible mark for years to come. Although it can get crowded on the catamaran, it is still the top choice among budget-conscious divers.

What You Need to Know

The OceanQuest Liveaboard is a 36m catamaran that offers year-round diving excursions to Australia’s Outer Great Barrier Reef. It also allows you to embark on self-guided dives if you’re a seasoned diver. However, a dedicated supervisor and a vigilant lookout will be on board during in-water activities.

If you’re not as confident in the water, you can reserve a guided experience at an additional cost. Also, for solo travelers, the crew can assist in finding you a dive buddy or group.

Featuring 22 cabins, the OceanQuest can accommodate up to 44 guests. Therefore, if you’re a solo diver, there’s a greater chance to connect with and learn from other divers.

The vessel boasts spacious lounges split across three decks, a well-stocked bar, and a dining room serving buffet-style meals. There are also sun decks for post-dive relaxation. 

The unique diving experiences on the OceanQuest are one of the reasons it’s among the best liveaboards in Australia. One such experience is Fluoro Night Diving, available at an additional charge. It entails using specialized torches and mask filters to reveal fluorescent colors.

Whether day or night, certified or introductory diving, or even whale encounters, the OceanQuest promises an unforgettable experience for all guests.

Features

• Budget: From $175/day
• Maximum Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights

• Nitrox: Yes
• Cabins: 23
• Maximum capacity: 44 guests
• Rental Gear: Yes

What We Like

• Flexibility to choose between diving with buddies or a guide
• Great value for money; luxurious amenities available at a low price point
• Large occupancy ensures you meet other divers with various experiences

What We Don’t Like

• Can be crowded for some and not as intimate as smaller liveaboards

2.  Shore Thing

Our Expert Opinion: Best Luxury Liveaboard

Stability, comfort, and safety are the highlights of the Shore Thing Liveaboard. The exceptionally designed catamaran is ideal for those seeking a snug yet luxurious liveaboard that explores the stunning Ningaloo Reef. Boasting four cabins with private facilities, air-conditioning, and fans, the Shore Thing caters to various preferences. 

What You Need to Know

The Shore Thing catamaran is ideal for unique sailing holidays and is designed for comfort and unrestricted exploration. With a shallow draft, it can access inner reef lagoons, offering a distinctive advantage over other vessels.

If the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is on your bucket list, the Shore Thing is the best liveaboard in Australia for you. The vessel’s unique design allows access to shallow inner reef lagoons of the Ningaloo Reef, providing calm anchorage in various weather conditions.

Tours last 3, 5, and 8 nights. And they showcase the rich marine life of Coral Bay. Therefore, expect to see Manta Rays, reef sharks, marine turtles, rays, humpback whales (June – Oct), dolphins, and dugongs.

The owner-operated vessel, accredited with eco-tourism awards, accommodates a maximum of 10 guests in 4 cabins. Two staterooms feature private en-suite facilities, while two deluxe double cabins offer private facilities just outside. The vessel also provides stateroom twin and stateroom triple options, each with private facilities, air-conditioning, and fans.

Furthermore, you can enjoy the indoor saloon and dining room or relax on the deck with magnificent views. The vessel’s helm design also provides a comfortable seating area for guests to enjoy the journey alongside the captain.

Overall, since the Shore Thing liveaboard caters to small group numbers, you can expect a personalized and unforgettable experience along Australia’s Coral Coast.

Features

• Budget: From $461/day
• Maximum Trip Length: 9 days/8 nights

• Nitrox: No
• Cabins: 4
• Maximum capacity: 10 guests
• Rental Gear: No

What We Like

• Offers an intimate cruise experience with personalized services
• Knowledgeable, attentive, and hardworking crew
• Lots of unique marine life to see, including leopard sharks, baby tiger sharks, manta rays, and whales
• Calmest anchorage, making it ideal for visits in all weather conditions

What We Don’t Like

• Cabins are snugger than advertised
• Engine room noise may be excessively loud

3.  Odyssey

Our Expert Opinion: Best Liveaboard for Dives in Rowley Shoals

Rowley Shoals is one of the less-explored dive spots in Australia, where fewer than 200 people experience the marine park’s unique conditions annually. As a guest on the Odyssey, you can experience the dive site on a spacious, luxurious liveaboard. The vessel has a top-tier crew with extensive years of experience in their respective fields. And it offers an unforgettable diving experience with excellent value for money. 

What You Need to Know

Since 1998, Odyssey Expeditions has provided personalized and exceptional diving experiences in Kimberly, Western Australia. As a result, it has garnered a reputation of excellence amongst divers.

The luxurious liveaboard offers a unique adventure exploring Rowley Shoals and the Kimberly coast, with itineraries spanning 10 to 26 days. Furthermore, the 12m expedition vessel ‘Homer’ accompanies the Odyssey, ensuring comfortable travel to prime dive and snorkel spots.

It accommodates up to 20 guests, featuring six deluxe double cabins and four twin-share cabins. Plus, all cabins have individual air-conditioning, storage units, and bar fridges.

Boasting state-of-the-art entertainment systems, outdoor viewing decks, and a dedicated crew, the Odyssey rightfully stands among the best liveaboards in Australia. Plus, thanks to the catamaran design, it guarantees stability, quietness, and ample space.

Features

• Budget: From $295/day
• Maximum Trip Length: 26 days/25 nights

• Nitrox: Yes
• Cabins: 10
• Maximum capacity: 20 guests
• Rental Gear: Yes

What We Like

• The crew is professional, attentive, and experienced
• Diverse dives where you can see pristine corals and various marine life
• Meals tailored to dietary requirements

What We Don’t Like

• No dedicated camera area for rinsing off after dives
• Hot showers may be limited
• Spoilsport

Our Expert Opinion: Best for a Great Barrier Reef Diving Adventure

4. Spoilsport

The Spoilsport liveaboard offers divers luxurious, stable, and immersive diving adventures in Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. It has nearly three decades of sailing and consistent renovations. And it features a twin-hull design to keep motion sickness at bay. So whether you’ve embarked on dozens of dives or are a nature enthusiast looking to explore underwater wonders, this yacht is ideal. 

What You Need to Know

The Spoilsport is among the best liveaboards in Australia, renowned for its custom-built design for exploring uncrowded dive sites in the Coral Sea. The vessel’s twin-hull design enhances stability and minimizes motion, ensuring a smooth sailing experience throughout the year. 

Catering to world-class diving adventures in the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, the Spoilsport makes for unforgettable experiences. Itineraries encompass various options, such as the 5-night Coral Sea & Cod Hole trip and the 6-night Yongala & Coral Sea adventure.

Accommodating up to 28 guests, the Spoilsport caters to diverse budgets. Therefore, you can find budget and premium cabins with double beds and ocean views. Onboard amenities comprise an air-conditioned lounge with a bar, video/photo editing facilities, a sun deck, and a dining room.

Furthermore, you can relish chef-prepared Australian and international dishes made from sustainably sourced produce. The chefs also consider dietary preferences such as vegetarian and vegan. 

Features

• Budget: From $320/day
• Maximum Trip Length: 8 days/7 nights

• Nitrox: No
• Cabins: 14
• Maximum capacity: 28 guests
• Rental Gear: Yes

What We Like

• Chef-prepared meals with freshly-sourced produce from sustainable resources 
• Spacious 3-deck layout that provides a roomy dive deck with individual storage spaces for each diver
• Exceptional service offered by the detail-oriented and professional crew

What We Don’t Like

• Some may find the schedule too tight as it starts early, leaving minimal time between dives.
• Coral Sea Dreaming

Our Expert Opinion: Best Liveaboard for an Intimate Diving Experience

5. Coral Sea Dreaming

Escape the crowds and embark on a unique Australian liveaboard experience with Coral Sea Dreaming. This vessel enables encounters with diverse marine life, including turtles, reef sharks, pelagic fish, dolphins, and vibrant coral walls. And it only accommodates up to 12 guests, ensuring uncrowded sites and full-length dives.

What You Need to Know

The 16m Coral Sea Dreaming offers exclusive access to 28 moorings across nine reefs in Cairns. It also explores dive sites along the Outer Great Barrier Reef, like Flynn and Milln Reefs, with depths ranging from 1-30m.

Catering to divers and snorkelers at all levels, Coral Sea Dreaming has an experienced crew to guide you during dives. They also provide all necessary snorkeling and dive gear.

The vessel boasts a wooden interior and various cabin options to accommodate different budgets. You can choose between a 4-person shared bunk cabin, a 2-person shared bunk cabin, and three private double cabins, all featuring shared bathrooms. Moreover, you can enjoy the unique experience of sleeping under the stars and waking up to Coral Sea sunrises.

Lastly, home-cooked meals are prepared on board, accompanied by snacks throughout the day.

Features

• Budget: From $312/day
• Maximum Trip Length: 2 days/1 night

• Nitrox: No
• Cabins: 4
• Maximum capacity: 12 guests
• Rental Gear: Yes

What We Like

• Visits the top dive spots of the Great Barrier Reef, like Three Sisters, Little Tracey, and Point Break
• Personalized service offered due to low occupancy
• All dives are guided, making it suitable for divers of all levels

What We Don’t Like

• Trip durations are too short for those seeking a lengthier diving adventure
• May be cramped for some

Reasons for Liveaboard Diving in Australia

Diverse Dive Sites

Various dive sites are scattered along Australia’s 34,218 kilometers (21,262 miles) coastline. From the Great Barrier Reef to Ningaloo Reef, each site has a unique offering that will delight any diver.

Moreover, Australia’s dive sites offer a wide range of dive experiences. Therefore, beginners can enjoy calm and gentle waters, while seasoned divers can embark on challenging dives through swim troughs and caves.

Cost-Effective

Liveaboard diving in Australia is a cost-effective way to explore enchanting dive sites. Instead of staying at a dive resort, which charges extra for dives on top of accommodation, liveaboards don’t break the bank. A liveaboard trip often includes diving, meals, and accommodation in one package. 

Year-Round Diving

You can embark on a liveaboard diving adventure year-round in Australia. Therefore, the diversity of dive sites and regions accessible via a liveaboard throughout the year gives you a more flexible and enjoyable experience.

Expert Guidance

Whether it’s your first or fifth time diving in Australia, expert guidance can be a saving grace. And that’s precisely what you’ll get with a liveaboard. They often have a team of experienced guides who can provide detailed information about the local marine life, reefs, and history. As a result, your diving experience will be entirely immersive and exclude any guesswork.

Things to Consider Before Going on a Scuba Diving Vacation in Australia

Best Time to Dive

Australia’s vast size contributes to diverse diving conditions and varying air temperatures. Therefore, the best season for liveaboards in Australia will depend on the area you plan to visit.

In Western Australia, the prime time for scuba diving along Ningaloo Reef and Rowley Shoals is from September to February. The weather is warm during these months, with the hot season extending from November to April. 

If you want to see sharks, the best time for Australian liveaboards is from April to July. Bear in mind that this is the colder season in Australia.

Booking your trip between August and September is ideal for epic diving around the Great Barrier Reef. And the best season for liveaboards in Australia to see minke whales is between June and August.

Beginning your diving journey in Queensland allows for year-round diving opportunities. However, be cautious when considering trips to the southern parts of Australia between May and October. The weather can be unpredictable during these months.

Although liveaboards aim to schedule dives during optimal conditions, be prepared for varying weather conditions.  

Dive Sites

Australia is home to various dive sites you can explore by liveaboard. From the Great Barrier Reef to Osprey Reef, divers are spoiled for choice when it comes to dive locations.

Each dive site enables you to see unique wildlife. They also have varying conditions, making them suitable for specific diving experience levels. 

Suppose you’re planning a short trip covering Australia’s classic dive sites. In that case, consider the best liveaboards in Australia that venture to the Great Barrier Reef. 

If you want an unexplored reef experience, opt for Ningaloo Reef. Kimberley Coast is your best bet for diving and non-diving excursions. In contrast, Rowley Shoals liveaboards are ideal for adventure expeditions to remote areas.

What to Pack

Knowing what to bring for a liveaboard trip in Australia will ensure you have a safe and comfortable diving adventure. Although you can bring your own dive gear, most liveaboards provide divers with dive equipment, including tanks, fins, a mask, snorkel, and weight belts. However, check whether the liveaboard charges for gear rentals beforehand.

These are the most essential items to carry:

• Essential items:
  • Travel documents (your passport, visa, flight ticket, relevant vaccination documents, and dive/travel insurance)
  • Dive log book
  • Scuba certification card
  • Mobile phone and charger with underwater housing for phone
  • Dry bag
• Dive equipment:
  • Mask
  • Fins
  • Regulator
  • BCD (Buoyancy Compensator Device)
  • SMB (Surface Marker Buoy)
  • Wetsuit
• Clothing items:
  • T-shirts/tops, shorts, lightweight travel towel – preferably quick dry
  • Long trousers (pants)
  • Dress or Skirt
  • Sunglasses and hat
  • Sleepwear
  • Swimwear
  • Jumper or sweater
  • Rain Jacket or windbreaker
  • Socks and underwear
  • Flip flops or sandals
• Toiletries/Medications:
  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Sunburn relief
  • Seasickness tablets
  • Reef safe SPF lip balm
  • Toiletries
  • Moisturizer
  • Leave-in conditioner
  • Other personal medication
• Optional Entertainment Items:
  • Journal
  • Book to read/Kindle
  • Travel games

The Cost

The cost of scuba diving in Australia can vary depending on the location, the type of dive, and your experience level. For example, a diving tour can cost between $115 and $210 per person. In contrast, a liveaboard can range from $120 to $400 per diver.

Scuba diving by liveaboard is the best way to get the most out of Australia’s various dive sites. You can expect additional costs on top of the booking fee for gear rental, nitrox, and entering national parks. Also, some of the best liveaboards in Australia may charge for alcoholic beverages and airport transfers.

Therefore, it’s best to set a budget to find a suitable liveaboard in Australia.

Conclusion

There are several reasons divers flock to Australia for liveaboards. Not only does it offer year-round diving, but it also has exceptional dive sites. You can explore the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders, from the Great Barrier Reef to Osprey Reef. 

Ocean Quest is by far the best budget liveaboard in Australia. If you’re seeking a luxurious holiday, Shore Thing is your best bet. Overall, the best liveaboard for you will depend on the dive sites you want to visit, your budget, and your itinerary.