Diving the Great Barrier Reef: your options
Great Barrier Reef diving comes in three main forms. You can add a dive to a pontoon day trip, join a multi-day liveaboard, or dive a wreck such as the SS Yongala off Townsville. Beginners can try an introductory dive. Certified divers show their card.
Dive trips and courses differ by operator. Age limits and conditions belong to each offer, not to the reef, so read the terms of the trip you want.
Our picks: Great Barrier Reef dive trips
Our take: beginners get one dive on the reef day trip, either a 20-minute introductory dive or a certified dive with a buddy. The three-day trip is for certified divers, with reef taxes of AUD 100 paid at check-in. On the outer reef cruise with a helicopter flight, a dive only comes with the dive package.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-day, two-night dive trip for certified divers
- 11 dives, 2 at night
- Dive gear, computer and torch
- All meals and twin cabin
Eleven dives in total, nine by day and two guided night dives, with a twin cabin and all meals. Reef taxes of AUD 100 are paid at check-in.
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Outer reef cruise with a helicopter flight
- Two outer reef sites
- 10-minute helicopter flight
- Barbecue lunch
Five hours at two outer reef sites, plus a 10-minute helicopter flight over Hastings Reef. A dive is only included with the dive package, extra dives cost more.
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Reef day trip with one scuba dive included
- One scuba dive included
- Unlimited snorkelling
- Marine biologist talk
One dive is included, either a 20-minute introductory dive or a certified dive with a buddy. Certified divers go without a guide, and further dives cost extra.
Check availability →Great Barrier Reef dive trips
Day trips with dives, liveaboards and courses, with live prices and availability.
Great Barrier Reef dive trips and courses compared
What each type needs, with 2026 prices.
| Option | Price | Who it suits | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory dive from a pontoon (Moore Reef) | A$149 on top of the day fare | People without a certificate, from age 12 on this offer | The age limit belongs to this offer. It is not a rule for every course. |
| Certified dive from a pontoon (Moore Reef) | A$149 on top of the day fare | Certified divers | Bring your certification card. |
| 3-day, 2-night outer reef liveaboard | Varies by trip | Certified divers who want many dives | Up to 11 dives, including night and morning dives. Bring your card. A 24-hour pause before flying is recommended. |
| SS Yongala wreck | Free permit for the protected zone | Advanced and experienced divers | Offshore from Townsville. No entering the wreck. |
For most first-time divers, an introductory dive on a pontoon day trip is the easy start. For certified divers who want several dives, a liveaboard gives you up to 11 dives over three days. Liveaboard prices vary with the trip and the extras, so ask the operator for the full cost.
Great Barrier Reef liveaboard: what a multi-day trip involves
You sleep on the boat, close to the dive sites.
Dives and timing
The 3-day, 2-night outer reef example offers up to 11 dives with night and morning dives. A liveaboard is a different product from a day catamaran or a tourist pontoon.
Transfers
On this trip, transfers from central Cairns are included and transfers from the Northern Beaches cost extra. Your hotel location can change the price, so see our where to stay page.
Flying afterwards
The operator recommends a 24-hour pause between the last dive and a flight. Plan your departure day around it.
Getting there →What to bring
Certified divers bring their certification card. Check the full packing list with the operator.
SS Yongala: wreck diving off Townsville
The SS Yongala lies offshore, about 12 nautical miles east of Cape Bowling Green and 46 nautical miles east-southeast of Townsville. It is not at Magnetic Island. For the island itself, see our Magnetic Island page.
- Depth: Up to 30 m, average 20 m.
- Visibility: Typically 12 to 30 m at this site. That is a range, not a promise for your day.
- Who: Advanced and experienced divers only.
- Rules: A protected zone with a 797 m radius, a free permit and no entering the wreck. Do not remove or damage anything.
Permit details can change. Ask the operator which conditions apply to your dive.
Cod Hole and other sensitive sites
Cod Hole is a sensitive location in the Cairns and Cooktown management plan. The plan sets no booking cap for tourist operators there. That does not mean the site is free of permits. Go with an operator and ask which rules apply.
Rules for divers
- Do not touch corals or animals, and do not lean on coral or stand on it.
- Do not chase animals or block their path. Pass giant clams at more than 1 m (3 ft).
- Green Zones are no-take areas. They are not closed to visitors.
- The reef fee is A$8.50 for a day of 3 hours or more in the Marine Park in 2026 and A$4.25 under 3 hours. On longer trips with one operator it applies to the first 3 days, up to A$25.50. A$9.00 and A$4.50 are announced from 1 April 2027.
- Box jellyfish and Irukandji can be life threatening. The higher-risk season is mostly November to May, and stingers can occur all year. Wear a full-body suit when advised and call 000 in an emergency.
Snorkelers face the same rules. See our snorkeling page for fares and stinger advice.
Great Barrier Reef diving: frequently asked questions
Can I dive without a certificate?
You can try an introductory dive. On the Moore Reef pontoon trip it costs A$149 on top of the day fare and is offered from age 12. Other operators set their own limits.
How much does a certified dive cost?
On the Moore Reef pontoon trip a certified dive is A$149 extra in 2026, and you bring your certification card. Liveaboard prices depend on the trip and extras, so ask the operator.
How long should I wait before flying?
The liveaboard example recommends a 24-hour pause after the trip. Follow the advice of your operator and your dive training.
Can I dive the SS Yongala from Magnetic Island?
The wreck is offshore from Townsville and not at the island. It needs advanced or experienced divers, a free permit for the protected zone and no entry into the wreck.
Are there dive courses?
Yes, dive schools run courses. Course prices and age limits differ by school, so ask before you book.
Is this the official website of the Great Barrier Reef?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to any authority, tourism body or dive operator.