









Cairns, Australia · Dive Center★ 4.8
Plan this trip with AI →Based in Cairns, Ocean Quest opens the door to the Outer Barrier Reef, running as a PADI Dive Boat with enriched air (Nitrox) available for divers keen to extend their time beneath the surface. It's a natural fit for those drawn to the reefs off the Queensland coast, from newcomers to seasoned divers.
Explore up to 17 exclusive dive sites across Norman, Saxon, and Hastings reefs, with up to four dives a day. Ocean Quest is known for its distinctive after-dark experiences: Fluoro Night Diving, where vibrant colours light up the reef, and nightly dives alongside reef sharks.
Back on board, practical touches keep things easy — warm-water showers, a battery charging station, and a collection of fish ID and diving books to help you name what you've just seen. English and Japanese are spoken, with other languages available on request, making it a welcoming choice for divers travelling from near and far.
319 Draper Street, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia
+61 7 4046 7333
★ 4.839 guest reviews
★ 5 · Christina Jager · 2025-01-03Oh what a wonderful experience! I was worried about seasickness but figured 3 days would be a good try out, wish I could've stayed a week. The organization and staff were exemplary. Safety and equipment was terrific, they provided everything from stinger suits to booties. Great air, tanks always full for unhurried dives with excellent instructors. I chose to pay extra for a guide in every dive, and I'm glad for the extra sense of security and because they pointed out great (and tiny) sights! The reef was spectacular! On board, again, top notch service. Food was plentiful and tasty. Vessel was clean and comfortable, would have loved a tiny bit more space in the shared room but hardly spent any time in there unless sleeping. Can't wait to come back again!!!!
★ 5 · Arden Lichter · 2024-05-07We had the most amazing time this weekend. The staff were very efficient, hard working and so fun. The food was so great and perfect for the post dive hunger. There were so many dive and snorkel opportunities at unique reef spots which really allow you to experience different aspects of the GBR. Our instructor, Alfa, was incredible and so supportive as we got our advanced certification. He is kind, instructive, and most importantly beyond patient with us. He truly made us have an unforgettable experience at the GBR. The diver den staff was so great. You will be exhausted from all the dives you get to do but will wish u stayed an additional night. We stayed 2 nights and definitely could have done 3. Highly recommend Ocean Quest!!
★ 5 · Kyle Friedt · 2024-01-15This was honestly the trip of a lifetime. I spent 4 days and 3 nights on Ocean Quest out at Norman and Saxon Reef. The staff were amazing and they all worked hard to make sure everyone had a wonderful experience. A big shout out to Taylah my Advanced Open-water instructor. She did an amazing job and made sure that we had fun as well. All of the staff on the boat were positive, energetic, and very helpful. I would like to give a special thanks to Momo, Simon, and Sandy. These three were so positive and worked extra hard to make sure every dove safely, had fun, and stuck to the schedule. Food The food was great I am dairy-free and I did not have to worry about anything. The main dishes were always dairy-free and the staff made sure that there was a dairy free desert option for me each night. One thing I will note is that the dinner is not that big, I assume this is because people are still diving after dinner and they don’t want you to overeat. I am a big eater so I brought some snack bars with me and that was more than enough if I was still a bit hungry after dinner. Diving The crew does a great job of fitting 4 dives in a day. If you’re staying on the boat that night you have plenty of time to nap before your afternoon dive while the staff moves people on and off the boat. The staff are also very familiar with the dive sites and can give you suggestions on where to go. I did my first dive with a guide and it really helped me get familiar with the reef. Accommodations The beds are very comfortable and the boat's AC kept everything nice and cool. The showers and bathroom are adequate and there is plenty of hot water for showers. The only toilette trees the supply are soap so bring your own shampoo etc if you need it. There are also plenty of spaces to lounge and relax at the end of the day and in between dives. Overall it was a 5-star experience even if the boat is not a 5-star hotel, at the end of the day you are there for the experience. My only complaint is that there was no Wifi on the boat even though they advertised that there would be. That being said it was nice to disconnect a bit, relax, chat with new people on the boat and be present. I went on this trip alone and it was easy to meet people and find groups to dive with.
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