We can offer discounts on all the prices shown so please contact us prior to booking to check availability and ask us about any current discounts running.
Availability: 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th June plus 4th July 2025.
Experience Dwarf Minke Whales Like Never Before
Whether you’re a snorkeller or a diver, every June and July, Ocean Quest sets sail on a four-day, four-night adventure that’s truly unforgettable. But act fast—spaces are limited, and trips sell out quickly.
Whether you’re a snorkeller or a diver, this expedition offers the rare chance to encounter dwarf Minke whales, majestic creatures reaching up to 8 metres (26 feet) long and weighing six tonnes. With carefully controlled interactions, you can get up close to these curious giants in their natural habitat—a memory you’ll treasure forever.
This is when the whales move from Antarctic waters up to the Ribbon Reefs. This renowned Great Barrier Reef dive location is only accessible on an overnight trip.
OceanQuest is a 35.7m catamaran spread across three decks, designed for both luxury and adventure. With 18 twin-share and 4 double cabins, it sleeps just 42 guests, ensuring an intimate and comfortable experience.
Every cabin comes with en-suite facilities, TVs, bar fridges, and internal phones. After a day of diving, unwind in the spacious saloon on the wheelhouse deck, grab a drink at the bar, or enjoy a delicious meal in the main dining room, which comfortably seats 48.
Meanwhile, the surrounding waters are teeming with vibrant tropical fish, including the ever-friendly Maori Wrasse. Swim-throughs, wall dives, and drift dives cater to all levels, making each dive a thrilling adventure.
Click here for a floor plan of OceanQuest
The peak of the Minke whale migration transforms the Great Barrier Reef into a one-of-a-kind underwater spectacle. From Antarctic waters to the Ribbon Reefs, these inquisitive whales appear every June and July, offering encounters that are simply unmatched anywhere else in the world.
Minkes often approach snorkellers, divers, and even boats, so close encounters are the norm rather than the exception. With over a 90% success rate for sightings, your interaction could last two hours or more—truly an unforgettable experience in one of the planet’s most stunning dive locations.
Join Ocean Quest for this bucket-list adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Check in at Divers Den shop, 319 Draper Street at 7.30am to board our transfer vessel. We’ll make our way to the Outer Barrier Reef and enjoy two dives at either Saxon or Norman Reef, before transferring to OceanQuest at approximately 2.30pm. You’ll enjoy one afternoon dive and one night dive before we steam to the Ribbon Reefs overnight.
Day 2
Wake up to the sun rising over the Great Barrier Reef at Steve’s Bommie, one of the best dive sites on the reef thanks to its huge array of marine life including schools of fish, sharks, rays, nemos, octopus and more. You will enjoy four dives today, two at Steve’s Bommie and two others (including one night dive) at various other sites on the upper Ribbon Reefs.
Day 3
We kick the weekend off with more diving and snorkelling opportunities throughout the Ribbon Reefs, giving you the opportunity to explore some of the Great Barrier Reef’s most untouched areas. Four dives are included in today’s itinerary. Your two morning dives will be at Lighthouse Bommie, where most of our interactions with Minke whales take place. You’ll also have an an afternoon dive and another night dive.
Day 4
Explore more of the Great Barrier Reef at various dive sites along the Ribbon Reefs over four incredible dives – two in the morning, one in the afternoon and one night dive. The reef locations that we visit are less frequented by any other boats, and are home to many tropical fish species and bright mesmerising coral. After your night dive (finishing around 8pm) we will steam south towards Cairns.
Day 5
Wake up to your last morning on OceanQuest. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to your Cairns city accommodation at approximately 9am, so you’ll be able to plan other activities on this day.
Please note itinerary may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. Our dive schedule will be adjusted to enable as much in-water interaction with the Minke whales as possible.
*pick up and drop off from city accommodation is included. This does not include Northern Beaches area. Pick ups start from 07:30
Please note, itinerary may vary slightly depending on weather conditions. During Minke Whale season, the dive schedule may be altered to enable as much in-water interaction with the whales as possible.
Reef Taxes included.
Prices valid until 31st July 2025.
*BCD, regulator, dive computer, mask, snorkel, full foot fins, 5mm Short arm/leg wetsuit