Coral Sea Dreaming: Overnight Dive, Snorkel & Sail from Cairns
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Coral Sea Dreaming: Overnight Dive, Snorkel & Sail from Cairns

By Coral Sea Dreaming
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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With a maximum capacity of 12 passengers on board the “Coral Sea Dreaming,” this is an intimate 2-day tour from Cairns. Combine scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing led by highly skilled instructors; no prior experience is necessary. Both certified and introductory diving is on offer, with access to stunning snorkeling sites on the Great Barrier Reef.

Ages 15-75, max of 12 per group
Duration: 2 days
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
  • 2-day live-aboard boat tour with snorkeling and scuba
  • Owner of introductory night diving license
  • Shared and private accommodation available
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and light refreshments

  • Lunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Overnight accommodation, shared bathrooms and hot shower
  • Light refreshments, snacks, coffee, tea.
  • Use of Snorkelling equipment
What's not included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Diving. Single and packages available to purchase on board for both introductory and certified divers

Start:
  • Cairns Marlin Marina, 1 Spence St, Cairns City QLD 4870, Australia
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 67639P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Diving within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Some pre-existing medical conditions (eg asthma, heart conditions, etc) may prevent you from diving, please consult your doctor
    • Minimum 4 years of age for guests
    • Minimum 12 years of age for introductory day diving activities
    • Introductory night divers must complete at least one day dive to show competency to on board certified instructor before being able to partake in any night diving activities
    • All guests must complete an on board medical form prior to completing in water activities. Ticking yes to any of the questions may prevent participation.
    • The skipper will decide on the best reef locations visited during the tour dependent on tidal and weather conditions
    • Private cabins are priced as per twin share. Sole use is available at quoted price
    • Merchandise also available to purchase on board
    • Coral Sea Dreaming cancellation policy applies
    • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
    • You can book and pay for diving on our website or on-board the boat, so no need to decide now what dives you would like to do. No experience is required however a medical must be completed by all snorkelers and divers before participating in these activities. This will be sent through to you with your booking confirmation (Certain medical conditions eg asthma and diabetes may preclude a person from diving only – please book a recreational dive medical for clearance of these conditions prior to boarding at Cairns 24 hour Medical Centre) See medical questionnaire below, to be completed on-board. If you answer yes to any items here (excluding 22 & 24) and intend to scuba dive please complete a recreational dive medical. Item Condition Yes No 1 Asthma or wheezing 2 Brain, spinal cord or nervous disorder 3 Chest surgery 4 Chronic bronchitis or persistent chest complaint 5 Chronic sinus conditions 6 Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) 7 Ear surgery 8 Epilepsy 9 Fainting, seizures or blackouts 10 Heart disease of any kind 11 Collapsed lung 12 Recurrent ear problem when flying 13 Tuberculosis or another long-term lung disease 14 Breathlessness 15 Chronic ear discharge or infection 16 High blood pressure 17 Other illness or major operation in the last 12 months 18 Perforated eardrum 19 Are you currently taking any prescribed medicine or drug (excluding oral contraceptive) 20 Have you ingested any alcohol within 8 hours prior to diving? 21 Are you pregnant? 22 Do you wear contact lenses? 23 Are you flying within 12 hours? 24 Do you understand that concealment of any condition incompatible with safe diving might put your life or health at risk? Snorkeling is unlimited and all our sites are close to the reef and safe with minimal currents. All dive and snorkel equipment is included in the tour cost as well as all meals, snacks, linen etc. This tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues or non-swimmers or children under the age of 4 years.
    • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 67639P1

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    Itinerary
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Coral Sea Dreaming
      5.0 of 5 bubbles486
      Australia
      Joined in August 2014
    • remiquinto
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great experience on the GBR
      I had a fantastic time on the Great Barrier Reef. The crew was amazing and really good diving. 100% recommended 👌 thanks all
      Written 9 March 2025
    • 156yuriz
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Coral Sea Dreaming experience 2025
      We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the remarkable team of Coral Sea Dreaming for an unforgettable journey. Captain Harry is an exceptional professional—knowledgeable, kind, and reliable. He managed every aspect of the journey with great care, ensuring the safety and comfort of all passengers. His expertise in selecting breathtaking snorkeling and diving locations, combined with his engaging storytelling, added conextual dimension to our adventure. Delfine and Quin, the diving instructors, are extraordinary professionals. Their unparalleled skills, patience, and dedication made the trip seamless and enjoyable. They are true multi-taskers, always going above and beyond to accommodate the needs of every passenger while maintaining the highest safety standards. Their work ethic is simply unmatched—I have never encountered such hardworking individuals in this industry in developed western countries. The trip itself was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, perfectly suited for fit and sporty travelers who priotarize comfort over the advanture. The technical time for water activities was quite balanced, allowing for an immersive experience. Beyond the stunning surroundings, something subtle yet profound happened. In the yacht’s close quarters, casual interactions transformed into an unspoken rhythm of camaraderie, binding strangers through adventure, pleasure, and a hint of self-discovery—une amitié indivisible. Special Thanks for the Owner’s Generosity: And then there was the French cuisine—a true culinary revelation, pushing the boundaries of taste and endurance. Every meal was an adventure, each bite a test of willpower, leaving guests to ponder whether they were experiencing an avant-garde gastronomic experiment or simply the chef’s bold sense of humor. The selection of wines and beverages was equally impressive—if you were willing to pay for it, of course. Otherwise, the complimentary fresh water was always available, generously provided as a testament to the owner's hospitality. A yacht trip of this caliber wouldn’t be complete without a dining experience that kept guests guessing, ensuring that every meal was not just nourishment but an unforgettable chapter of the journey. If I had the authority, I’d award the boat a Michelin star, not just for the cuisine, but for the sheer audacity of serving it. Special thanks to the owner for the thoughtful investment in meals and beverages—it truly set this trip apart. To the owner of the company: Skilled diving instructors like Delfine and Quin do not go unnoticed in this industry. Their level of expertise, professionalism, and dedication makes them prime candidates for headhunters, and it is only a matter of time before another company recognizes their value. It is important to remember that truly great employees are an investment, not an expense. If financial considerations take precedence over retaining talent, others will gladly offer them what they deserve. We sincerely hope that Coral Sea Dreaming continues to thrive by valuing and motivating its exceptional staff—because without them, no luxury yacht can deliver an unforgettable experience. Yuri and Beatrice from Canada February 6-7, 2025
      Written 12 February 2025
    • Sarah T
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Absolutely brilliant for families with teens
      My family with two teen boys just returned from an overnight sailboat trip. We all had the best time snorkelling and doing several scuba dives each. Vanessa and Miguel were e.x.c.e.l.l.e.n.t scuba instructors - experienced, knowledgeable, generous and fun. The food was fresh, delicious and plentiful. If you’re a coffee drinker, I’d suggest you byo coffee bags or similar as there was only instant. Ship was absolutely charming. I am confident these two days will be the highlight of our three week Qld holiday. Worth every penny. Highly recommend.
      Written 30 December 2023
    • 2413barbie
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Use a different vessel
      The accommodations on board were awful!! The description says air conditioning and everything you need on board… not true! During the 2 days there was nowhere to retreat to out of the sun that had a working air conditioner. The captain had his 2 young daughters 5 & 6 years old on board one threw up all over the bathroom and it was a mess. Vanessa and Anna were great dive guides and worked extremely hard the entire trip, cooking cleaning and doing everything. As for food we were given tea or coffee for breakfast then a cold cut platter to make sandwiches for lunch a fruit in between dives. Soda beer and water were at a charge per consumption. Dinner was white rice and a choice of chicken curry or vegetable curry. The diving was great!! It’s the Great Barrier Reef so of course it was awesome!! But the accommodations were very poor. They did turn the air conditioning on at around 11pm but it did not get very cold. We were unable to open our hatch for fresh air which I’m guessing is probably a fire hazard as well. Overall I rate this a 2. The boat in there add is not the boat you use.. this boat was a steal haul sail boat
      Written 8 January 2023
    • V2912OZsarae
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great way to see the reef!
      We had so much fun on our Coral Sea Dreaming overnight experience! The instructors really made us feel safe and comfortable for our first diving experience, and also made some fantastic food for having such a tiny kitchen! The reef was incredible, and it was amazing to have it all to ourselves to explore! The only downside was that the ride was fairly bumpy and even our overnight stay was quite wavy, so we had a few folks onboard that were seasick.
      Written 25 November 2022
    • Alicesmith22
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best way to see the great barrier reef
      The whole trip was amazing. Crew were friendly and great scuba instructors. The reefs were incredible and it was a lovely sized group where we all got to know eachother and it felt like your safety was taken care of at all times. Would definitely do again!
      Written 18 November 2022
    • Lyndall B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A very special birthday celebration
      The crew were fantastic. As it was my 60th birthday 🎂 they all made a fuss. Really enjoyed the reef even if it was a bit rough getting there . ( no control over the weather ) . Day 2 was perfect the visibility excellent. We went as a family of 4. Our son did the diving and the rest of us the snorkeling. Captain Jason, Scott, Jydee, and Deb all were great . Meeting lovely guests from around the world made it very interesting. The coral was fantastic. Having never slept on a sailing boat on the Great Barrier Reef was an experience I’ll never forget .
      Written 1 October 2022
    • cocogm4
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing Divetrip
      I really enjoyed the two days on this sailboat. The crew was just fantastic! We went to real beautiful dive sites and all of the dives were amazing. There was also some time left for snorkeling after diving, for those how couldnt't get enough. I loved the easy, relaxed but still professionell way of the two dive instructors under water like on the boat. I have been on 4 different liveaboards from Cairns and can only recommend the tour with Coral Sea dreaming. Was just great! The only thing to complain the two days just went by too fast.
      Written 1 October 2022
    • 210charlottaa
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Memorable diving experience
      Great diving and snorkeling with beautiful reefs, fishes, sharks and turtles! The crew were very competent, friendly and accommodating our needs and wishes. Improvements can be made with facilities onboard; the reeling on the left side hand of the boat was loose, toilet seat was broken, sun screen and sea sick pills were running low. Although our family members have food preferences and allergies, the food was surprisingly good.
      Written 29 September 2022
    • coryv162
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      SIMPY INCREDIBLE
      My fiancé and I have been in Australia for 2 weeks now all over the east coast and this was the highlight of our trip! Scott, Jason, and Jydee did an amazing job making us feel comfortable and have a great time the entire trip. From feeding us great food to having an incredible time diving at the Great Barrier Reef, highly recommend anyone interested in scuba diving even if you are new to it as we were! We will definitely come back to do another tour some day!! If you are thinking of doing a trip in Cairns this has to be on your itinerary!!
      Written 28 September 2022
    • Fabkaz
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Could have been better
      My husband and I "finally" got to sail on the Coral Sea Dreaming last Thursday and Friday 22nd 23rd sept 2022. We booked last yr but Covid got in the way. So were very much looking forward to our diving trip this yr. On both conversations with last yr owners (Yarnie) and this yr owner (Ivan) I was assured that I had the larger of the double berth bedrooms,,,,on arrival we were sent down below with other couples and told to just pick a berth as they were all the same 😳. We picked a berth at the rear of boat, it had two small windows which were sealed shut. Temperament below deck very hot, so air con is needed for sleeping, which was lovely until it stops at midnight. Sleep was hard to come by as generator which is just behind our berth goes all the time. The yacht takes 12 passengers but it was very squishy fitting that many under the small amount of shade provided and it took 4 hrs out to 1st dive, sunblock was provided and needed. A few apples and very hard pears were offered with tea and coffee on arrival. Odd choice as tropical fruits were abundant, fresh and cheap to get in Rusty markets in Cairns. The ocean was fantastic temperature, crystal clear and no stingers, so diving was wonderful. Lunch was cold cuts and salad with bread rolls, no fruit. Dinner was mince with 3 cans of red beans, burrito's!!! (absolutely revolting for me) no alternative, again no fresh fruit available. You can buy wine, beer $8 or cans of soft drink $4 = bit xxy as it's only $3 at local takeaway. Breakfast toast and cereal, no fresh fruit. Lunch same as day b4. Then back to Cairns. I found Scott (deck hand) very helpful, but Travis, who's very new ( 3rd trip) needs to stop taking about his drugs of choice. There was a french girl (deck hand) but I never saw what she did, except smoke. For the price we paid, I have to say it was disappointing in the end.
      Written 26 September 2022
    • L9848VQcatherineb
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An unforgettable experience!
      What a weekend! Huge thanks to the crew - Roman, Vanessa, Remy and Ellie. They took such incredible care of each one of us. A special mention must go to Vanessa - she handled myself and all the other first timers with such professionalism and made us feel instantly comfortable in the water. I'll never forget my first dive with her. It truly felt like being introduced to a whole new world below the surface. It was so joyful to explore the reef and see and interact with all the little creatures she pointed out. What a beautiful birthday gift that was. By the time the second day rolled around I was confidently swimming around at 11-12m without needing to hold a hand, and I was fluent in diver sign language. I know Ellie and Vanessa were proud. I was too busy enjoying myself to get many photos, but I'll be back just as soon as I can. Thank you again CSD team!
      Written 21 August 2021
    • 282anb
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent customer service
      We originally went out with the Coral Sea Dreaming crew in January 2021 and it was excellent! So much so we organised another trip to Cairns mid-year mainly so we could go out with them again. Unfortunately COVID has managed to get in the way, but I just wanted to shout out to the team for being amazing with excellent customer service. Our first trip in January had to be pushed back to later in the week because we had received a test and isolate order on arrival and weren't sure we were going to make the departure time - no problems at all and were able to reschedule seamlessly and the 2 days out at Mill'n reef were awesome. This time we were originally supposed to travel in June but got locked out of QLD due to an outbreak. Nat and the team were amazing and allowed us to reschedule to a later date. This time we managed to get to Cairns but unfortunately no-one else on our fully booked boat could get into the state due to lockdowns and the sail date was cancelled☹️. Alas none of the other available sailing dates fit with our itinerary so the team at Coral Sea Dreaming arranged for us to go out with another provider. Throughout it all the team has been a pleasure to deal with, accomodating and have communicated clearly. While we are saddened we can't get out with them this time we will definitely try again in the future and will be recommending them to all our friends.
      Written 18 July 2021
    • mstepien89
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great experience!!!
      We could not recommend it more! Whole crew and instructors went out their way to make our trip comfortable, safe and fun! With very few divers on board we have had Milln reef only for ourselves! And what a amazing reef that is🥰🥰🥰
      Written 18 July 2021
    • Richard B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nice 2 day experience
      The dive instructors were really keen to get us in the water and make sure we had a great time. With the windy conditions, it was good to have them keeping everyone keen to get in! I have done a fair bit of diving and some liveaboards, but my partner has not. So this was the perfect way to get really enjoyable diving for me, but also catering for her only wanting to do snorkelling.
      Written 31 May 2021
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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles281 reviews
    Excellent
    254
    Very good
    15
    Average
    4
    Poor
    6
    Terrible
    2

    Allison S
    Washington DC, DC42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had an incredible time snorkeling and diving with Coral Sea Dreaming! The entire experience was great, from communication before the trip to the staff on the boat to, of course most importantly, the snorkeling and diving. We did the intro scuba dive and got to do about a 30 minute dive with one of the crew. It was my first time scuba diving, and I felt very safe and prepared. Besides the one scuba dive, we snorkeled at the three other sites, and the snorkeling was also amazing! The reef is not very deep (maybe 4 to 10 feet below you), and the water is very clear, so it is great for snorkeling also. The reef had the most diverse and beautiful fish and coral I have ever seen!! We had about an hour in the water at each site, and I never felt rushed. On the boat, there were 12 passengers, one captain, and 2 crew / scuba instructors. The boat is older but very well maintained and clean. The crew and captain were great, relaxed, fun, and very knowledgeable. The food was basic but very good, and there was plenty of food between meals and snacks. Water is also provided, and then there is a small extra charge for sodas, beer, and wine.

    Just a few things that I would have liked to know ahead of time:
    1. When scuba diving, you cannot fly for 24 hours after your last dive. Since this was our first time scuba diving, we did not know this when booking our flight, so we were only able to dive the first day.
    2. There are two crew / scuba instructors on board - one goes with the certified divers, and one goes with the intro divers. They only take two intro divers at once for safety reasons (which totally makes sense and made me feel more safe), but that means depending on how many other intro divers there are on board, you may only get to dive once. None of the intro divers on our trip had the opportunity to add another dive because there were too many people doing intro dives.
    3. The exact reefs you go to and itinerary depend on the weather, and this often changes in the moment.
    4. The night dive is only for certified divers. You cannot do it as an intro diver.

    Overall, we had an amazing time, and I absolutely would go again!
    Written 17 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Meredith B
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a wonderful experience for me, my husband, and my two teenage children. We were able to snorkel and/or dive in five different locations, each slightly unique compared to the others. Our scuba instructors were very pleasant. We had Jeanette and Curtis on our ship. We particularly loved Jeanette, who was very kind and personable- a total superstar. We felt very safe diving with her. We wore the provided stinger suits which were high-quality and comfortable. The quality of the masks and snorkels was not ideal but acceptable. The flippers were good. Accommodations were as expected on a small sailboat. My husband is fairly tall and had a relatively short berth but we expected this. The air conditioning on the boat was surprisingly good.
    There is a hammock on the ship, which is very nice. I would recommend other seating options for guests so that everyone is not crowded in the back of the boat undercover. Maybe some inflatable chairs that could be pulled out when we are not moving would be helpful for future visitors.
    The food was excellent. There were plenty of snacks for my hungry teenagers. Better beer and wine options would have been appreciated and I would have paid more for that.
    Our captain, Nick, ended our tour with an explanation of the reef. I would have loved to have that explanation at the beginning of the tour. He was nice, but it seemed that it took him a little while to warm up to us. I understand that he is not there to be our friend but simply to keep us safe and he did a great job. He is certainly a very capable captain and helped us identify where the various reefs of interest were.
    When I did a live-aboard with a different company many years ago, we were allowed to snorkel at night, which we could not do with this company for safety reasons. That was slightly disappointing, but we made the best of it and had a wonderful experience overall on this boat with this team .
    Written 1 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    abeltasman
    Sydney, Australia20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2023 • Couples
    We couldn't been happier with the experience. We were indeed lucky that our groups (4 and 6 - we booked two trips in a row)were smaller than expected, providing us with a very personal experience. Daniel and Ari were fantastic guides and did everything possible to make it a great trip.
    The skipper was very knowledgeable and steered us safely through the challenging sea (windy season). Diving and snorkelling were much better than expected, and we just couldn't get enough. Due to the small group size, we always felt very safe, and I was lucky enough to have two enthusiastic guides on my side.
    The boat was not luxurious, but it was exactly what we had been looking for.
    Thanks so much for the time and for sharing your passion with us.
    Muchas gracias! Hasta luego!
    Written 23 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for sharing your holiday with us, and it's great to hear you loved it so much you couldn't get enough :) We're always here if you want some more!
    Written 23 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Lari A
    17 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had a very underwhelming experience with Coral Sea Dreaming and do not recommend this company to any serious diver who wants to enjoy the bucket list diving at the Great Barrier Reef.

    Their boat was outdated, the sailing almost non-existent and the generator ran all night next to our room (talk about peace and quiet out on a sailing boat). But all of this could be easily overcome by a nice crew and good diving guidance, but we had none of those. Half of the crew didn't seem to want to be there and one of them, who was also a diving instructor, didn't seem to like to or want to dive at all, which didn't contribute for the fun of half of the dives. The atmosphere on board was just awkward and not super friendly among the staff. We almost didn't have any chilling time and on the second day we were rushed to go back ahead of the official schedule.

    In my opinion the worst part was that we were 8 tourists (excluded children) on the boat but we were not divided into smaller groups for diving. Because of that and the lack of aptitude of the instructors, the dives were messy, badly briefed, not well leveled and, for me, almost all of them (we did 5 in total) were just a completely waste of time. Going for a small boat has no advantage if the diving is happening in one large group.

    The best part of the trip was a encounter we had on the way to the reef with a family of three humpback whales. They put a show for us on the boat, which was pretty neat. But that was natures' blessing and had nothing to with the company's organisation (actually that one bad attitude instructor was mostly blocking our photos to get her own pictures), so my end advice is that there are probably better liveaboard options in the area than Coral Sea Dreaming.
    Written 16 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Lari, I am sorry you felt underwhelmed by the tour and especially the crew. It is certainly not standard for us to not split the groups and we're looking into what and why that happened. We have taken all other feedback onboard as well and are working hard to avoid the frustrations you've shared in the future.
    Written 17 August 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Leticia_M724
    Guarulhos, SP650 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2024 • Friends
    I was really disapointed with my experience with Coral Sea Dreaming. My friend and I chose it thinking it was worth paying more to be in a small group, with guided dives and sailing. Unfortunately it was not the case.

    We barely sailed, the boat had a loud generator going on all day and night, so no peace and quiet there (not for us, and not for the marine life around).

    We were 10 guests and 4 crew members and it felt cramped. I can’t imagine 12 guests on that same boat (the maximum). Food was only mediocre.

    All of that could have been overlooked if the bucket list diving had been good. 7 of the guests were diving and there were 3 “dive masters” on board. However the group was not divided, we were one big group with one “dive master” in the water with barely any briefing, which resulted in the worst diving experience I’ve ever had. A whole lot of waiting, dives ending way too early and people bumping into each other. The “dive masters” were unable to show anything interesting.

    In fact it was clear from the moment we got in the boat that the crew was not happy to be there. The skipper (Sharon? she never introduced herself) must have chosen the dive sites according to where she could have phone reception (talk about getting to smaller sites with a small boat). She barely interacted with the guests and when she did it was to say she was done diving and driving that boat (later she would add it was her last trip with Coral Sea Dreaming). Otherwise she was only on her phone.

    Ben was brand new to the crew and seemed to be only learning, so he wasn’t of much help.

    Then there were the other two who were the “dive masters”. Luigi was the friendly of them all and could actually put together an ok dive, if it wasn't for the sheer number of guests.

    Imma on the other hand should really consider never working with hospitality and diving again. She was nothing but unfriendly and unwelcoming from day 1 and the dives she “guided” were the absolute worst. On day 2 she started off by loudly telling Luigi “let’s get this over with”.

    “Let's get this over with” really defines the mood on the boat from the crew, when in fact, for the guests, it was a once in a lifetime experience that unfortunately got ruined. Coral Sea Dreaming and their recruting and training is clearly the one to blame.

    We would have been better off on a bigger boat with unguided dives.
    Written 13 September 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    dnljncn
    Singapore, Singapore4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We loved it! Even though we faced some technical problems in the beginning, the whole team managed it really good and after another unplanned stop at the Marina we went right to the reef. It was incredible to spot the various types of fish and corals arouns the reef and even as an absolute beginner we felt safe all the time thanks to Kurtis). We would always do it again 😊
    Written 14 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Andres M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2025 • Family
    I traveled with my daughter, Catalina, because we both love to dive, and we decided to visit the Great Barrier Reef. We were fortunate to go with Coral Sea Dreaming, and it was an incredible experience. We were warmly welcomed by Delphine, Aiden, and our skipper, Gary. These guys truly excel at their jobs; they made a significant effort to take care of us, and they succeeded admirably. Gary is exceptional and took us to some of the best diving spots I have ever encountered in my many dives. Delphine also did a phenomenal job guiding the dives! I highly recommend these guys—they do an outstanding job. Many thanks to Gary, Delphine, and Aiden!
    Written 16 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Tom K
    London, UK39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    WoW what a truly amazing experience and company. Even before getting on the boat they were so helpful. I was meant to travel later on a later date but because of covid restrictions between NSW and QLDS they moved my trip for me 2 time's at zero cost and also offered me a no expiry date voucher if needed as I'm leaving Australia soon and was wondering I might not be able to make it. Luckily I was able to make it to cairns and on the boat. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on coral sea dreaming it being my first live aboard trip it was nice that it was small groups and load's of staff so very personal. Captain Phil was amazing so much knowledge of the reefs, marine life, weather and the oceans and load's of stories. The rest of the team were also great making sure everything is okay. Diving was great especially the morning dive on 3 sisters just bursting with Life I will never forget it. Words just can not describe how good this boat, staff and trip is just truly amazing
    If your wanting to spend time on the reef for a few days coral sea dreaming is a must
    I will be back hopefully one day again
    Written 11 January 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hey Tom, WoW - what a marvellous review you have given us! We are super stoked to know you (finally) ticked off your bucket list item with Coral Sea Dreaming Dive and Sail. It was such a pleasure to have you on board with us and so pleased we managed to get you out to amazing 3 Sisters @ Milln Reef - one of our fave sites which never disappoints! Thanks again for choosing to do the GBR with us Tom - we would love to have you back on board anytime! Best wishes, The Dream Team ><><><
    Written 2 February 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Audrey A
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. This overnight trip is the perfect way to see the reefs! Our small group meant a very personal experience in this beautiful environment, and the fish were carefree and would just chill with you. You will be well taken care of by the best crew!
    Written 30 June 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for sharing, Audrey! Staying overnight really makes a difference, we agree :)
    Written 24 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Matthew B
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2023 • Friends
    We had an incredible experience with Coral Sea Dreaming. The crew were amazing throughout (special shout-out to Daniel who was our dive guide and Aaron our skipper) ensuring that we were briefed in detail and cooking us delicious meals! The dive sites we visited in the outer reef were breathtaking with the night dive being the highlight - Daniel was an amazing guide and made this the best diving experience! Would highly recommend Coral Sea Dreaming to anyone looking to make the most out of their trip to the Great Barrier Reef!
    Written 23 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you, love that you had a great time with the crew and of course an experienced dive instructor can make all the difference!
    Written 23 October 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Showing results 1-10 of 275
    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Coral Sea Dreaming: Overnight Dive, Snorkel & Sail from Cairns provided by Coral Sea Dreaming

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