Dive centres by region · 2026 guide
Cairns has 12 dive businesses in the directory. Australia's busiest reef-access port, with the widest choice of day boats, liveaboards and certification courses.
Here are the operators with the most complete, source-backed profiles.
1
Cairns, Queensland
A PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre operating since 1983, pairing a Cairns training centre with two deep heated pools with three-day outer reef liveaboard trips.
Listed by PADI as a 5 Star Career Development Centre; operating since 1983 and part of the Quicksilver Group.
The training centre has six air-conditioned classrooms and two heated diver-training pools about four metres deep.
2
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns' longest-established dive company (founded 1974), a PADI Career Development Centre and Eco Centre running day trips and the OceanQuest reef-based liveaboard.
Founded in 1974; Cairns' first PADI 5 Star centre (1988), first 5 Star IDC (1998) and first Career Development Centre (1999).
Awarded PADI Eco Centre status in early 2024.
3
Cairns, Queensland
A Cairns liveaboard running three-, four- and seven-night trips to the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef, with 11 ensuite cabins.
Runs 3, 4 and 7-night expeditions to the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef; trips board at Wharf Street in front of the Cairns cruise terminal.
The 7-night trip departs Thursdays with up to 26 dives and requires Advanced certification, 20 ocean dives and five dives in the last 12 months.
4
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns' Indigenous-guided reef day trip, run by Reef Magic Cruises, visiting two outer reef sites with optional introductory and certified dives.
Operated by Reef Magic Cruises and listed as an Australian Signature Experience.
Indigenous guides share cultural stories on the way to two outer reef sites such as Milln, Flynn, Hastings, Saxon, Norman or Thetford reefs.
5Cairns, Queensland
A 35-metre catamaran moored on the outer reef off Cairns as a floating hotel, with stays from one night and beginner-to-advanced dive courses on board.
A 35-metre catamaran operating as a floating hotel on the reef, with stays from one night to extended trips.
Offers beginner and advanced dive courses; the tourism listing names Scuba Schools International among its accreditations.
6
Cairns, Queensland
An 18-metre sailing ketch taking up to 12 guests on overnight Cairns reef trips, with all dives guided and one of the few introductory night-dive licences.
An 18-metre steel ketch carrying a maximum of 12 guests on two-day, one-night trips.
Uses around 25 to 28 moorings across nine reefs, including Flynn and Milln; all dives are guided, at about four guests per guide.
7Cairns, Queensland
A family-owned Cairns operator sailing the 30-metre catamaran Passions III to two outer reef sites a day at its own moorings, with introductory and certified diving.
Family owned and operated, taking visitors to the reef from Cairns for more than 30 years.
Sails Passions III, a 30-metre catamaran, to two outer reef locations a day at moorings it holds exclusively, with more than 26 private sites to choose from.
8Cairns, Queensland
A Cairns liveaboard operator running the Spoilsport on three- to seven-night expeditions to the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
Operates the liveaboard Spoilsport on 3, 4 and 7-night expeditions from Cairns.
The 3-night Fly Dive Cod Hole trip departs Mondays with a low-level flight to Lizard Island and around 12 dives.
Centres are ordered by how much of what they offer we could confirm from a primary source — training agencies, boats, courses, gas fills, servicing — plus published contact details and photos. It is a documentation ranking, not a review score, and nobody pays to be listed.
No. Listings and order come from our research only. Businesses can ask us to correct their details, but not to change their position.
It is generated from the directory's latest research, checked in 2026. Conditions, operators and seasons change — confirm details with the operator before you book.