Rum Runner is a budget friendly, multi-share hostel on water, for scuba divers.
Visiting some of the most remote dive sites the Great Barrier Reef has to offer, she has a fun and laid back vibe.
Great for: Unique Trips, Short Trips, Beginners, Singles, Low Cost.
Trip Lengths: 2 – 4 days
Max Guest Capacity: 16
The 2 day trip explores Thetford reef which lies on the Outer Great Barrier reef. Divers will experience shallow coral gardens, towering pinnacles, swim throughs as well as a spectacular night dive. There’s 6 dives in total and you only need your open water cert plus 4 logged dives.
The 4 day “Coral Sea Shark Diving Expedition” has 9 dives; including a shark feed dive and ventures to the remote Holmes reef, which lies 90 miles outside of the Great Barrier Reef.
Holmes reef is famous for sharks, awesome visibility and large pelagic fish. There’s many caves, wall dives and truly epic dives to be enjoyed, with a range of beginner friendly and also more challenging dive sites. Guests can embark on this tour with just open water cert and 4 logged dives. Besides Spoilsport, Rum Runner is the only liveaboard to visit Holmes reef!
For both trips, divers can either follow the dive leader, or if they have more experience, are allowed to buddy off without a guide.
With multi-share twin single bunk areas, semi-private twin single bunk cabins and a 4 share single bunk cabin, Rum Runner is the equivalent of a multi share hostel on water.
Admittedly these cabins are not very private or spacious, but they’re more than adequate for resting at the end of the day. There’s also a cool, laid back social buzz onboard.
There are charging areas for cameras and phones as well as male and female shared bathrooms with hot water shower.
All meals are included on the boat but there is a bring your own alcohol policy – no glass is allowed. This can be a bit of a hassle!
For common areas, there’s an open salon and galley in addition to open and covered deck areas. These aren’t very spacious, but do remember that Rum Runner is the joint second cheapest Great Barrier Reef liveaboard!
“Music onboard, hot shower after the dive, the rocky boat sleeping experience, the gorgeous fish, coral, and caverns on the reef.
1) Captain PJ with his reef talk and guitar playing, 2) Kate and her excellent briefings, friendliness, and professionalism, and 3) the amazing underwater beauty”.
Don’t forget you can check out our main article on the Best Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard here.