• On your swim with Minke Whale dive trip in Cairns enjoy a 250km low level scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
• As a bonus to your swim with Minke Whales dive trip we get to swim with friendly man size Potato Cod at the world famous Cod Hole on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
• When you enter the water with the Minke Whales you will understand what we say about how it changes you when you swim eye to eye with the Dwarf Minke Whales 
• And another big bonus to our Coral Sea dive trips is you also get to scuba dive with packs of sharks on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Swim with Minke Whale tours. Book your space on our 4 night Minke Whale dive and snorkel tours. Between the months of June and July a very special event happens on the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland Australia.

Book one of our world famous Cairns swim with Dwarf Minke Whale tours on the Great Barrier Reef in the peak months of June and July for the experience of a lifetime.

Choose from our 3 night, 4 night or 7 night liveaboard dive and snorkel tours to the Ribbon Reefs in the northern section of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. 

Our Cairns liveaboard dive expeditions are dedicated to maximising your in-water interactions at the world’s only known minke whale aggregation sites, whilst also enjoying the other unique and diverse marine life that call the Ribbon Reefs in the Coral Sea home. 

Swim with Minke Whales - Liveaboard Diving Expeditions - 4 Nights 

Our four night swim with Dwarf Minke Whales dive tours leave Cairns on a Thursday around 6pm and return on Monday from Lizard Island around 11.45am.

4 Nights/12 Dives - Fly Dive - Dwarf Minke Whales and Scuba Diving Expedition in the Coral Sea.

Departure Dates (current as of 03/05/24):

• 2024 Departure dates: 2 spots left on 13^th June departure and 2 spots left on 4^th July departure
• 2025 Departure dates: 5th June, 12th June, 19th June, 26th June (4 SPOTS LEFT), 3rd July, 10th July & 17th July

Board the boat in Cairns and then fly back on a low level flight from Lizard Island back over the azure waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the lush foliage of the Daintree Rainforest.

Aside from finding and swimming with the amazing Dwarf Minke whales you will also be able to dive some of the top dive sites in the world around Osprey Reef and surrounding Ribbon Reefs and see some other famous fish.

The northerly part of the Great Barrier Reef in Tropical Far North Queensland is the most pristine area of the reef.  With few commercial dive operations visiting here and and little human settlement on the land off of Cape Tribulation the reefs are less impacted by any human intervention or pollution.

Arrival back to Cairns by a low level scenic flight from Lizard Island will be on Monday around 11.45am.

Minke Whales

A unique opportunity to get face to face with these amazing creatures, and learn more about their biology and behaviour from the research volunteers on board.  You may also choose to participate in this research by assisting with behaviour monitoring and other project.

Read more about Dwarf Minke Whales on the Great Barrier Reef and more marine life encouter reef trips. 

Swim with Dwarf Minke Whales Liveaboard Dive Tour From Cairns

Thursday

On the day of departure you need to call into our Cairns office between 8.30am and 4pm to fill in some pre-departure paperwork. From 4.30pm make your own way the Hemingway's Brewery on the Cairns Wharf to meet your fellow divers.

Please ensure you have had an early dinner as this is the only night a meal willnot be provided on the dive trip.

Boarding time on the dive boat will be around 5.50pm in the evening and once settled in we get you kitted out with your dive gear.

The boat will leave Cairns and travel through the night to reach the first dive site for the morning.

Dive Sites - World Famous Cod Hole

Yes, the Code Hole is aptly named as the place where you will see Cod and is the most famous dive site on the Great Barrier Reef.  The Potato Cod at Cod Hole are the size of a diver (and larger) and can reach up to 8.5 feet and weigh in up to 110 kilograms (240 pounds).

These curious fish are used to divers and are very used to being photographed (if they had their own phone they would be the ‘selfie’ fish of the Pacific).  Other dive friendly big fish are the Maori Wrasse (other names – Napolean and Humphead Wrasse). 

The Maori Wrasse are another dive sized fish that can reach up to 2 metres long and weigh up to 180 kg, but typically most you see will be around 1 metre long.

These are listed as endangered, but are protected in the area.  They will follow divers around sometimes like little puppies and are inquisitive of divers.

This is a great dive for the photographers – so make sure you have a wide angled lens – so you can get in all the action.

Other marine life at the Cod Hole includes anemones, giant clams, Solomon’s sweetlip, feather stars, cruising white tip reef sharks and plenty of cleaning stations.

Steve’s Bommie

Steve must be chuffed - this is one of the most popular sites in the area. This dive site is one for all macro and wide-angled photographers.  It is one of the best sites on the Great Barrier Reef due to the density and diversity of marine life here.  Large schools of fish take refuge around the bommie and circle it.

Watch large schools of trevally and barracudas, reef sharks and rays.  Interspersed in the colourful corals macro life clings to the sides of the bommie and you can see anemone fish, stone fish and nudibranch. 

A small underwater plaque commemorates ‘Steve’ who the bommie was named after in 1989.

Gotham City

A sloping reef, rich with hard and soft corals and reef fish. Minke Whales are sometimes spotted here.   This site makes a very exciting night dive with congregations of hunting fish such as sharks and trevally.

Pixie Pinnacle and Gardens

This dive site boasts a pinnacle that is 30 metres tall and 15 metres diameter.  This Pinnacle, like an ornate cake is decorated on the sides by wonderful coral formations and a host of marine life.  Your dive starts at the top at just 2 metres depth and you slowly work your way down around the hard and soft and corals, dodging sea whips, large gorgonian fans and sponges.  

Some of the nooks and crannies and overhands shelter lionfish, shrimps, moray eels, clownfish in their anemone home and the amazing flaming fire shells.

Circling in the blue next to the pinnacle are schools of surgeonfish, barracuda and trevally.  For the small critter enthusiasts you can check out lace scorpion fish, harlequin ghost pipefish and leafy scorpion fish.

Lighthouse Bommie

This is another popular site for divers and for the Dwarf Minkes.  Diving here you will see large schools of yellow and blue snapper and many types of anemone fish and a good likelihood of seeing the amazing Dwarf Minkes on the surface.

The Ribbon Reefs

The most prized dive region on the Great Barrier Reef. The coral reefs around Lizrd Island And Cooktown are where the Dwarf Minke Whale migrate each year to breed and calve. Nutrient rich waters from the Continental Shelf attact other abundant marine life to this same destination making our liveaboard divetrips extra special.  

Liveaboard Scuba Diving Boat Features

Our well-appointed liveaboard dive boat has plenty of room to spread out and many living areas that include an alfresco bar (handy for watching another beautiful sunset with sundowner cocktail) an inside bar and lounge area, a large sundeck (with sun beds)

• Equipment and set ups for photographers
• 12 person crew – all highly experienced
• Marine Biologist will give nature presentations daily and is there to consult with throughout the trip
• The vessel has full air-conditioning
• Daily cabin service
• Well designed large dive deck with well laid out exit and entry platforms
• 2 large screen TVs in the lounge area
• Nitrox and Rebreather divers are catered for
• 2 large inflatables dinghies are in use every day allowing for optimal dive access 

Cairns Dive Boat Specifications

• Beam – 10.5m (35ft)
• Length - 30 m (100ft)
• Speed – cruising speed of 15 knots
• Survey – 29 people - Commissioned in 1989
• Instruments on Board
• 240V /110V Recharge Facilities – available in lounge areas and bedrooms.
• Radar
• Global Positioning Systems x 2
• Chart Plotters x 2
• HF & VHF Radios
• Echo Sounder

Dive Equipment

If you don’t wish to lug heavy equipment on the airlines and in bags then you can rent all your equipment for the trip.

That includes BCD’s (Aqualung Wave), wetsuits (5mm full length), snorkel gear, regulators, gauges, dive lights and snorkel gear.

By law all dive companies that provide equipment have to have it serviced every 6 months (that’s BCD’s and regulators).  So you don’t have to worry about renting shonky equipment.   If you do bring your own equipment then it is recommended that you ensure it has been serviced within the year.

For safety on the dives all divers are provided with a  Nautilus Lifeline GPS (no extra rental charge), which  is worn on each dive.

No matter what your first stage set up the boat has European DIN and US style tank valves.

For keen photographers you can also hire an underwater camera.

Extra Diving Services Rebreathers

Due to the demand the boat now has facilties to cater for rebreather divers.  Please advise the tour specialists when booking the trip as paperwork is sent prior to ensure that all the equipment and support you require on the trip is in place.

Rebreather services include:

• HI 5G booster pump and fill pane
• MBDE Rebreather Pre-Dive Checklist for added safety
• Tri-mix rebreather service and decompression diving
• Safety diver and bailout gas will all be prepared and ready during decompression dives
• Complimentary supply of:
•  2L aluminium
• 3L steel “on board” cylinders
• 7L steel “off board” cylinders (limited supply)
• No time limit on dives (where practical)
• Any depths will be limited to experience and qualifications
• Soda lime and oxygen supplied to order (fees apply)

Please note:  All rebreather divers are requested to dive with a buddy and this is a safety policy on board these trips.

Photographic services on board

• Air guns at all camera stations
• Spacious camera stations x 3
• Freshwater rinse tubs on diving deck for camera equipment
• Camera shelving with 3 tiers to incorporate charging facilities:
• 240v (Australian) socket.
• 110v (USA style - 2 prong straight pin)
• Charging sockets in all cabins -  110v and 240v
• Access to computers (Windows) for editing and saving of photos
• 1x video/DVD player – to view videos
• 2x large TV screens to allow for viewing photographs and video
• Enter the Guest Underwater Photo Competition that is run every expedition (win a free dive trip!)

Note:  Remember when you pack to bring adaptors for the electrical sockets (Australia sockets are two thin prongs pointed together and a straight thin prong at the base).   Also remember any chargers and USB sticks and memory card readers. 

Nitrox

Nitrox is offered on this trip whether as a certified nitrox diver (bring your certification card) or why not take the nitrox certification course whilst on board.  This will extend your bottom times as it offsets your nitrogen limits (at extra cost). 

Dive Schedule

Your diving day will consist of:

• Morning Dive
• Afternoon Dive
• Night Dive (at the same site as the afternoon dive)

A certified experienced Dive Master can accompany you on dives if you wish.  If you prefer to dive with your dive buddy then that’s fine as well.

Meals provided on board

• Continental Breakfast
• Full Breakfast
• Mid morning snacks and fruits available
• Lunch
• Fruit and snacks
• Dinner (a la carte)

Book your swim with Minke Whales liveaboard dive trip now to secure your berth on these limited marine encounter opportunities on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Sample itinerary, subject to change based on conditions.

Thursday:  

• Check in at our office between 8.30am and 4pm.
• From 4.30 pm:  Make your own way to Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf (200m from MBDE office) to meet your fellow passengers.  Please note that dinner is not provided on the first evening so you may wish to eat before boarding.
• 5.50 pm: Our crew will lead you from Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf to board Spoilsport.  Enjoy a glass of champagne and light snacks while your Trip Director provides a full briefing.
• 6.00 pm:  Spoilsport departs Cairns
• Time to organise any rental equipment and put your dive gear together on the dive deck.

Friday:  (4 dives + night dive)

This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

• 6.30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room
• 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences
• 9.00 am: Full cooked breakfast
• 10.30 am: Dive briefing & dive. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm
• 2.00 pm: Lunch
• 3.30 pm: Dive brief & diving
• 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
• 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
• 8:00 pm: Dinner

Saturday:  (4 dives + night dive)

• As per above

Sunday: (4 dives)

• As per above. Exit last dive by 5 pm.
• As the sun sets we pour the sparkling wine, lay out the nibbles and get ready for an Aussie BBQ party night. Don’t forget to wear your loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along to music played by our talented crew.
• Moor off Lizard Island.

Monday:

• 7.00 am: Light breakfast
• 8:00 am: Disembark Spoilsport. Our crew will walk you to the airport on Lizard Island.
• 9.30 am: Board a light aircraft for a low level flight over the reef back to Cairns (flight time approx. 1 hour).
• 11:45 am: Land Cairns and courtesy transfer to inner Cairns city hotels, the airport or our office where we can store your luggage until 5pm if you have a later flight.

Important:

• We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5pm Sunday).
• A luggage allowance applies to the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island:
• 25kg / 55lb per person plus 3kg / 6.5lb – carry on.
• An additional 10kg/22lb is allowed for professional photo/video housed systems.

View more marine life encounters on the Great Barrier Reef and read our dedicated swim with whales and whale watching tours.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Time

6:00pm

Departure Instructions

• Check in to the dive office during the day 8.30am to 4:00pm to fill in paperwork
• Returns Mondays

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Where the Dwarf Minke Whales hang out, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Pinnacle, Steve’s Bommie, The Cod Hole, Gotham City, Ribbon Reefs, Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, Coral Kingdom, Flare Point, Blue Lagoon, Vertical Gardens

Months of Operation

June - July

Days of Operation

Thursday

2024 Departure dates: 6 spots left on 13th June departure and 2 spots left on 4th July departure
2025 Departure dates: 5th June, 12th June, 19th June, 26th June (4 SPOTS LEFT), 3rd July, 10th July & 17th July

Duration

4 nights

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Beverages from the bar
• Gear Hire: wetsuits, gloves, tanks, GPS, safety sausage, nitrox fills, tanks, weights, guages, BCD, light/torch
• Note: we recommend you bring your own wetsuit, mask snorkel and fins to ensure they fit well.
• Dive Courses are available on board, discuss options at time of booking
• Underwater camera hire
• Trip videos
• Underwater photography course

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

Restrictions

• Experience: Snorkelers, novice & advanced divers
• We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5:00pm Wednesday)
• Passengers MUST understand English
• Scuba Diving – minimum age 12

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Scuba Diving, Scuba Doo and Helmet Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving and helmet diving/scuba doo.
• Participation is subject to medical questionnaires completed on board with the tour operator.
• Minimum age for scuba diving and helmet diving/scuba doo is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

From January 2022 all passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19

• A luggage allowance applies to the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island: 25kg / 55lb per person plus 3kg / 6.5lb – carry on plus an additional 10kg/22lb is allowed for professional photo/video housed systems.
• Excess luggage may be left at dive company office. We take care but not liability.
• You should bring your own personal toiletries, hair dryer, personal medication, swimming costume, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, foot wear (sandals or tennis shoes), T-shirts, shorts, sweater and sweat pants – light weight pants and tops for the evening are a good idea. Also your wildest “loud” shirt/dress for the BBQ evening.

• We seldom have children onboard however we do welcome ONE family per expedition with children minimum age 8 years.
• We are unable to supply dive gear in children’s sizes
• Children must be over 12 years old and must be fully qualified.