Far North
Expedition
Tropical North Queensland
Great Detached Reef • Raine Island • Coral Spawning
Duration: 8 days
Departs: October to December
From: From 6000 AUD / 3500 EUR pp varying with cabin category and seasonal availability.
North of Cairns, civilisation disappears. There are no more towns, no highways, and no day boats heading out from the coast. Beyond this point, the Great Barrier Reef stretches for hundreds of kilometres through pure wilderness and for the most part, still uncharted waters. Cairns is the last city before Cape York, and once you leave it behind, the only way to reach these waters is by expedition vessel. That isolation is what makes this journey so special, few divers will ever see the reefs of the Far North. This is the most remote and extraordinary dive expedition in Australia
Coral formations rise from open ocean and the horizon stays empty for days. This is one of the last true frontiers in diving, a region still unknown and being explored, only accessible for a few months each year when the conditions are right.
This seven-night voyage runs between Cairns and Horn Island, covering more than 500 nautical miles through the northernmost reaches of the Great Barrier Reef. It combines the thrill of exploratory diving with visits to some of the most spectacular known sites in the region. Over the course of the week, you can expect around 26 dives, including night dives, spread across 20 or more unique locations, from coral pinnacles and canyons to deep oceanic walls.
Beyond the Ribbon Reefs, the reef structure changes dramatically. These coral formations mark the very edge of the continental shelf, where Australia’s ancient coastline once met the sea. Here, nutrient-rich currents from the Pacific flow through deep channels, feeding immense coral gardens and attracting life from every direction. Visibility often exceeds fifty metres, revealing an underwater world of hard coral slopes, colourful fans, whips, and soft corals that stretch into the blue.
Each expedition follows its own path of discovery. Routes may include Great Detached Reef, Ashmore, Tijou, and Wreck Bay.
You may also visit the historic RMS Quetta wreck or Pandora, from the 1700s.
Encounters with sharks, rays, turtles, and schooling trevally are common, and macro enthusiasts will find endless detail in every crevice.
In late spring, this region comes alive with one of the reef’s most extraordinary natural events: the mass coral spawning. On calm nights in November and December, countless coral colonies release eggs and sperm in synchrony, filling the sea with a glowing cloud of new life.
Further north lies Raine Island, one of the planet’s most important green turtle nesting sites. From October to March, tens of thousands of turtles gather here to nest, and the surrounding waters are alive with their movement. It is a sight few divers will ever witness, raw, timeless, and unforgettable.
These expeditions are designed for experienced divers who crave exploration and adventure. Conditions can vary, and dives may include advanced entries, drifts, or deep profiles. Every journey is shaped by weather, tides, and the expertise of crews who know these reefs.
There are no crowds, no fixed routes, only discovery.
At the end of the voyage, you’ll arrive at Horn Island, a small tropical outpost in the Torres Strait, with the option to return to Cairns by air.
Every Strada Expeditions journey can be customised. These itineraries are starting points, the best way to find inspiration. The best way to build yours is to reach out and tell me what you would like to experience, and I will design the perfect trip to your taste.
All itineraries are the intellectual property of Strada Expeditions and cannot be reproduced or distributed without our consent.
Expedition Notes
Due to the exploratory nature of this voyage, there is no fixed day-by-day itinerary. Each expedition is shaped by weather, tides, and ocean conditions, with routes and dive sites selected by the crew to provide the best possible experience. No two journeys are ever the same: each one is a genuine exploration of the reef’s most remote and pristine regions.
The available travel window is listed above. As departures vary each year depending on vessel scheduling and demand, please inquire directly and I will confirm the exact dates and current availability for your preferred season.
Optional Extensions
The Daintree Rainforest
North of Cairns lies the Daintree, the oldest surviving tropical rainforest on Earth and a place where reef and jungle meet. Here, ancient trees rise above mangrove rivers filled with crocodiles, and cassowaries wander through the undergrowth like relics from another age. We can arrange private wildlife cruises, guided walks with naturalists, birdwatching tours, or simply a few nights in one of the rainforest’s boutique lodges. It’s an easy and unforgettable way to reconnect with land after a week at sea.
The Yongala Wreck Dive
Just south of Townsville lies the legendary Yongala shipwreck, one of the most vibrant single-site dives on Earth. Resting upright on open seabed, the wreck is blanketed in coral and surrounded by a living wall of fish. Giant groupers, sea snakes, turtles, and rays make every dive electric with life. It can be easily added as a day trip from Alva Beach, with a one-night stopover before or after your liveaboard voyage.
Cape York 4WD or Motorbike Expedition (May to October)
For travellers who want to keep heading north, Cape York is the ultimate frontier. This vast peninsula of red dirt, monsoon forest, and clear rivers feels like another world. The road to the tip of Australia can be tackled by 4WD convoy or as a guided motorbike expedition, following tracks that cross rivers, ridges, and endless savannah. Each night ends with campfire stories beneath stars so bright they light the dust. Each morning begins with the scent of eucalyptus and the sound of the bush waking up. The journey ends where the continent itself ends, at a rocky headland overlooking the Torres Strait. Standing there, with nothing but ocean beyond, feels like the true north — wild, remote, and absolutely unforgettable.