Why Dive from Mission Beach?

Most visitors head to Cairns or Port Douglas for reef trips, but Mission Beach offers a different experience.

The boats are smaller, the groups are intimate, and the reef sites see far less traffic. While the big ports send dozens of vessels to the same moorings each day, Mission Beach Dive operates with small groups to quieter outer reef systems – places like Beaver Reef, Taylor Reef, Eddy Reef and Ellison Reef.

Transit times are shorter too. You’re on the outer reef in around 60 to 90 minutes, which means more time in the water and less time on the boat.

And then there’s the setting. Mission Beach sits where World Heritage rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. You can spot a cassowary in the morning and snorkel coral gardens in the afternoon – not many places offer both.

Tours and Experiences

Mission Beach Dive runs a range of reef trips suited to different experience levels and interests.

All Day Snorkel Tour – $239 per person A full day on the outer reef with guided snorkelling at two reef sites. No experience needed. Includes all equipment, lunch and underwater photos. Flotation devices available for anyone who wants extra support in the water.

Discover Scuba Diving – $359 per person Your first breath underwater. No certification required. An instructor teaches you the basics, then guides you on a real reef dive. A popular option for first-timers who want to try scuba without committing to a full course.

Scuba Dive Tour – $429 per person For certified divers. Two guided dives at outer reef sites with detailed briefings and experienced divemasters. Includes all equipment and lunch.

Snorkel + Discover Scuba Add-on – $359 Start with snorkelling, then add a Discover Scuba dive for an extra $120 if you want to go deeper.

All tours include equipment, guides, lunch, visits to two reef sites, underwater photos, safety gear, boat transfer and refreshments.

PADI Courses

Mission Beach Dive is a PADI Dive Centre offering courses from beginner through to professional level.

Open Water Diver – $849 Full certification. Theory, pool sessions and ocean dives included.

Advanced Open Water – $849 Build on your Open Water certification with specialty dives.

Rescue Diver – $895 Learn to manage dive emergencies and assist other divers.

Divemaster Development – Coming soon For those looking to go professional.

Refresher Programs For certified divers who haven’t been in the water for a while.

Training is relaxed, thorough and tailored to each individual. Instructors combine international experience with local reef knowledge.

Seasonal Experiences

Beyond the regular reef trips, Mission Beach Dive runs special experiences throughout the year.

Full Moon Night Dives Once a month, when the full moon rises over the Coral Sea, the reef transforms. Nocturnal species emerge and the underwater world takes on a different character. Certified divers only. Limited spots each month.

2026 dates include:

• 1 April – Pink Moon
• 1 May – Flower Moon
• 31 May – Blue Moon
• 29 June – Strawberry Moon
• 28 August – Sturgeon Moon (Partial Lunar Eclipse)
• 24 November – Beaver Moon (Supermoon)

Whale Watching – July to September Thousands of humpback whales pass through the waters off Mission Beach each year on their migration along Australia’s east coast. Tours run during peak season with expert commentary and respectful viewing practices.

Coral Spawning A rare natural event when corals release eggs and sperm into the water, usually occurring after the full moon in late spring. Check with Mission Beach Dive for dates and availability.

The Dive Shop

Mission Beach Dive runs a dive shop at The Village Green in Mission Beach. They stock premium CRESSI equipment for rental and sale, with expert fitting service.

All rental gear on tours is fresh CRESSI equipment. If you try it and like it, you can purchase your own in-store.

Sustainability

Protecting the reef is central to how Mission Beach Dive operates. Their approach includes:

• Small group sizes to minimise reef impact
• Strict no-touch policy for marine life
• Reef-safe sunscreen required
• Single-use plastics banned onboard
• Active recycling systems
• Support for local conservation initiatives

They acknowledge the Djiru and Bandjin peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and sea on which they operate.

Contact Information

Location: Shop 16, The Village Green, Mission Beach QLD 4852

Contact: Phone: 0455 957 263 Email: info@missionbeachdive.com Website: missionbeachdive.com.au

Bookings: Book via WhatsApp or through their website. Group bookings available on request.

What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, hat. All diving and snorkelling equipment is provided.

Minimum age: No minimum for snorkelling. Discover Scuba Diving requires participants to be at least 10 years old.

Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. Weather-related cancellations fully refundable.