71
-
Cairns & Port Douglas Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
Rum Runner Cairns - 2 Day 1 Night Liveaboard Outer Great Barrier Reef Trip
Snorkel The Great Barrier Reef with the M.V. Rum Runner, providing affordable dive trips and a fantastic experience. Option available to upgrade to diving!
Snorkel The Great Barrier Reef with the M.V. Rum Runner, providing affordable dive trips and a fantastic experience. Option available to upgrade to diving!
Highlights
- Small numbers with a maximum of 16 guests
- Spend the night on the Great Barrier Reef
- Hot Showers
- All snorkelling equipment including wetsuits
- Experienced friendly crew
This is a 2 day liveaboard outer barrier reef snorkel trip, diving upgrade available!
Designed as an affordable overnight reef experience for the traveller on a budget, backpackers and families looking for the ultimate overnight reef experience. The M.V Rum Runner is a 20m Motor Sailer with bunk style beds, twin and share accommodation. This trip offers the opportunity to meet other divers and travellers from around the world and have a great time with an experienced crew on the reef!
We have at least 3 crew on board each trip, so with a maximum of 14 guests you will receive personalised guidance and support. You are welcome to bring your own alcohol on board to relax after a day diving, just no glass please.
Some medical such as asthma my prevent ability to dive, no problem, the snorkelling is fantastic and safe at all sites! Please advise crew of any medical conditions prior to departure.
We provide:
- Small numbers with a maximum of 16 guests
- All meals, tea and coffee provided. Other refreshments can be purchased at the bar or you can bring on board yourself.
- Bunk Beds
- Fresh Linin
- 240 V ac and 12 V dc power points
- Hot Showers
- Male & Female toilets
- All snorkelling equipment including wetsuits.
Boarding E Finger, Berth 3, Marlin Marina, Cairns, at 7am on selected weekdays.
Looking to dive?
Bookme Specials: Dives can be purchased on board. First Introductory Dive $120.00 per person, second intro dive is free. Additional introductory dives for $45 per dive. Certified dives $45.00 each or Cert. Dive Package of 6 dives including night dive for only $120.00 (plus additional $120.00 certified diver gear hire if required). Nominate on your way to checkout if you would like to secure this package or talk to our crew on the day about dive package specials.
Thu 21 May
Fri 22 May
Sat 23 May
Sun 24 May
Mon 25 May
Tue 26 May
Wed 27 May
Thu 28 May
Fri 29 May
Sat 30 May
Sun 31 May
Mon 1 Jun
Tue 2 Jun
Wed 3 Jun
- Per Person$330.00
- Per Person$330.00
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Interesting trip, but also fun!
Roos Demmers from
Netherlands
Interesting trip, but also fun!
Roos Demmers from
Netherlands
Interesting trip, but also fun!
Roos Demmers from
Netherlands
Not Suitable for Seasickness or Chinese Guests
elig from
China
Fantastique weekend
Fonne Jean from
Australia
Fantastique weekend
Fonne Jean from
Australia
Best experience ever
Martin Castro from
Chile
Best experience ever
Martin Castro from
Chile
Best experience ever
Martin Castro from
Chile
Great experience!
Gabriela Pedetta from
Argentina
Great trip/great eats/great staff
Dennis Byrne from
United States
Great trip/great eats/great staff
Dennis Byrne from
United States
If I could give them more stars I would!!!!
Sarah Roberts from
Australia
The Rum Runner
Cornelia Blank from
Austria
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 71 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Rum Runner Cairns - 2 Day 1 Night Liveaboard Outer Great Barrier Reef Trip
G’Day Mate! Thanks and congratulations! You have become one of the less then 1% of past snorkellers and divers to write us a review. Thanks again. Good or bad thanks for taking the time and effort. Over the past 15 years we have taken over 20,000 snorkellers and divers to see the Great Barrier Reef. So of the less then 0.2% of reviews 2 stars or less, 99.8% of our snorkellers and divers must be at least satisfied with what we offer. So if your looking for the best value and cheapest overnight snorkeling and Scuba dive trip to the GBR have look at Rum Runner. Like they say “you get what you paid for” You get: 3 to 4 different reef sites to snorkeling and up to 6 scuba dives including night dive. ( is this not the reason why your booking a trip? We are all about the snorkeling and diving on the GBR, so if your after 5 star luxury vessel try elsewhere) Old Charming Rum Runner which has been travelling to the GBR and beyond for the last 40 years. Experienced captains, young dive crew, great meals, quality scuba gear, small group size, basic single bed with clean linens, and great memories. Like they say “you can’t please everyone all the time”....... we try, we really really really try hard to please everyone, 99.8% can’t be wrong!
Camille Desserle from France wrote on 06 April 2017
Je recommande fortement
Voyage de deux jours avec une équipe extraordinaire. La qualité du service tant au niveau de l'accueil, de la restauration et de l'accompagnement lors des activités fut parfaite.
From Rum Runner Cairns - 2 Day 1 Night Liveaboard Outer Great Barrier Reef Trip
Thanks Camille, Yes we had a great time with you here. Hope you enjoy the still amazing Reef, even after the cyclone. Cheers Capt. Richard
Ash from Australia wrote on 25 October 2023
Terrific value, great little trip away
Whilst we were particularly lucky with the most perfect weather conditions you might imagine, I can't say enough about how good the trip was, especially for the price. 6 legit dives for a small added premium on top of the base trip - i don't know if you could find better value in Australia. Thanks Richard for managing the trip, JP for the great captaining work, incredible food and entertainment, Tom for such patience and care with the divers, and to Rena and Miso for their excellent work too. Many thanks to all for the great trip, and to others looking for a trip - they have my recommendation for sure. Go for it
From Rum Runner Cairns - 2 Day 1 Night Liveaboard Outer Great Barrier Reef Trip
Thanks Ash!!
Roos Demmers from Netherlands wrote on 25 April 2026
Interesting trip, but also fun!
First of all, it’s budget - don’t expect the luxury of a diving school or large corporation. You get what you pay for. This means the gear is ok, but our wetsuits had some damage and holes, and the masks are old and some dirty. Bunkbeds are simple but fine. The food was really great, thanks to chef JP. The sailing with 2m high waves was not pleasant, but part of the sailing experience, so bring seasickness pills just to be sure. I’m not complaining - just honest. Having said that, I would recommend it for people that are comfortable with only the basics and have some experience with boatlife and are comfortable with diving (maybe even with own equipment). If you are very new at diving, it might not be the most comforting experience. You and your buddy are on your own - only first dive is partly guided and night dive is guided - but don’t expect them to help you out of the water or tutor you. Safety checks were good tho. About the dives: First day includes 4 dives, so the planning is very important, and feels rushed some times. Snorkelling wise, our reef visits weren’t the best I think for snorkelling only. For diving they were great, saw turtles sharks and morays! Note that the boat fits 16 guests - but has very limited space indoor and outdoor, with two toilet/showers (let’s just say I was happy we were with only 7 guests). With bad weather it might feel claustrophobic or cramped. Let’s be clear, price/quality wise, it is a great budget option and I still very much enjoyed the trip, it’s just different from the diving trips I am used to. Thanks Masa Richard and JP!
shawns4 from Australia wrote on 27 January 2025
One of a kind
Highlight of our Christmas holidays. Took my 12 year old son and wife on a 2 day 1 night live aboard. Completed five dives. One of the rare companies that are not just trying to make a dollar off tourists. Owner and crew love the reef and seemed genuinely excited to share it with us. Core memory experience for my 12 year old, would recommend to anyone seeking a genuinely unique adventure
From Rum Runner Cairns - 2 Day 1 Night Liveaboard Outer Great Barrier Reef Trip
thanks for the review
Powered by Bookme
Copyright © 2026 Bookme Limited.
close
Qualmark Certification
This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.
This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.
This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.
When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.
close
delete
Delete your content?
This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.
Continue with Facebook
Pauline Bredy from France wrote on 08 October 2019
Expérience inoubliable !
Tout était parfait ! Membres de l’equipage très sympa, spots de plongée suberbes et instructeurs très professionnel. Expérience en petit comité (environ 20). Je recommande absolument !