Family of 4 (3 divers) on GBR June 2026 - best 2 day LOB?

[DivingLane]

Hiya,

Thinking of going next June for a two day, 1 night trip of diving on GBR. Any advice on most affordable operator for 4 of us, 3 diving, 1 snorkeling? Doesn’t have to be Cairns, editing this post to add that, let me know if you have other ideas. I think flying from LAX to Australia gets me to Brisbane on most flights, so would be connecting there. Flying out of Melbourne to finish trip.


I want to make sure my wife is taken care of while kids and I dive. Was hoping to do a 3 day, 2 night trip, might be able to talk them into it if you can help me, lol. Kids were thinking it’s too much diving, jerks. Wife might be up for that if she hears the boat is nice and she’ll live like a queen.

Do the 3 days go further out to better spots? Are divers taken off the main boat during the day on some of these charters, read about that.

We’re going to combine this trip with a few days in Sydney and a few in Melbourne. Have some friends in Melbourne to hang out with.

Recommend diving anywhere else along the trip? We dive mostly here in San Diego, so cold water not a problem.

Thanks!!!

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Cairns local here. There are a few to choose from but Reef Encounter or Ocean Quest are like big floating hotels that have daily transfer vessels going out and back. This means they move from site to site, and you can do 2-day or 3-day overnight trips.
How old are the kids, though? If they are teenagers, then they can be left to do their own thing (snorkel and plenty of deck space and lounge areas to enjoy. Reef Encounter even has a small spa pool). Young kids need to have adult supervision at all times.
Cairns has the most options for overnight trip to the Reef
Feel free to DM me for more info

 

[DivingLane]

Kids are 18 and 19, will dive most dives with me

Cairns local here. There are a few to choose from but Reef Encounter or Ocean Quest are like big floating hotels that have daily transfer vessels going out and back. This means they move from site to site, and you can do 2-day or 3-day overnight trips.
How old are the kids, though? If they are teenagers, then they can be left to do their own thing (snorkel and plenty of deck space and lounge areas to enjoy. Reef Encounter even has a small spa pool). Young kids need to have adult supervision at all times.
Cairns has the most options for overnight trip to the Reef
Feel free to DM me for more i

 

[Aquapro Dive Services]

Well if you're all adult divers and want to the best of the Reef can you consider a slightly longer trip on Spirit of Freedom or Mike Ball which go far north (1 leg is low level flight then motor back) to the Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sra areas. 2 trips are week so 3 or 4 night trips.

Also when are you coming? June to September is Minke whale migration. Book out months in advance but worth it. Mike Ball and Spirit if Freedom offer this ut also Ocean Quest does a mix if Outer Reef and Ribbon Reef on a 4 day trip which is pretty good and more affordable