Destinations
MV Scubapro II dive boat review
Photos: Pro Dive Cairns / LiveAboard.com. Fleet photographs show the shared boat style; individual interiors may differ.
CAIRNS · OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF
MV Scubapro II: three days with the reef
Two nights aboard, up to 11 dives including two night dives, and a choice of twin-bunk or double cabins. Bathrooms are shared.
32 guests · 16 cabins · Cairns return · Equipment included
See Pro Dive Cairns dates & prices →
Bookings are for the Pro Dive Cairns programme; a particular vessel requires confirmation. Divezone may earn a commission.
MV Scubapro II is owned and operated by Pro Dive Cairns. Built for the company’s reef diving and training programme, this is a straightforward choice for people who would rather spend their time in the water than devote their budget to an en-suite cabin. It shares the regular three-day Cairns circuit with sister ships Scubapro I and III.
MV Scubapro II is a 23.95-metre monohull with a 7.35-metre beam, built in 2002. It accommodates 32 guests in 16 cabins. The current fleet specification lists three deck levels and eight shared toilet/shower combinations. A reliably dated latest refit for this particular vessel was not established.
Cabins: simple, private sleeping spaces
| Choice | Layout | Bathroom |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 14 cabins with bunk beds | Shared |
| Double | 2 cabins with a double bed | Shared |
Private cabins allow time to relax between diving and snorkelling. All cabins are air-conditioned, with storage and power outlets. Sheets and blankets are supplied; pack two towels for showering and reef use. Keep luggage compact, with excess bags stored at the Pro Dive shop. A shared berth and sole occupancy are different booking arrangements, so solo travellers need the cabin terms on their quote.
Life between the dive briefings
The sun deck is the place to read, relax and socialise; the indoor saloon provides air-conditioned space for meals and a break from the weather. Books, games, music and television are available, although a busy eleven-dive schedule tends to keep everyone occupied. The dive deck keeps the daily routine close to the water.
Meals are prepared aboard, with hot and cold breakfast and lunch, a hot dinner and dessert. The buffet-style menu includes Western and local food, with vegetarian and vegan options listed. Tea, coffee and snacks help bridge the surface intervals. Dietary arrangements should be agreed in advance; the operator advises travellers with restrictive diets to bring suitable extra snacks. Alcohol is BYO for after diving, and extra soft drinks cost more.
Where the Scubapro trip actually dives
The current liveaboard departs from Cairns for Flynn, Milln, Thetford and Pellowe reefs, with a selection of 19 sites across that programme. It is not the Cod Hole or Coral Sea expedition described in some older accounts. Those northern and offshore trips need a different itinerary.
Up to 11 dives include two night dives. Orientation and night dives have guiding included; regular dives are generally undertaken as buddy pairs. A private instructor package is available separately for divers wanting individual guidance throughout. PADI Advanced and Nitrox courses can be added, but neither should be confused with a blanket requirement for every participant.
Flynn and Milln offer walls, coral gardens and bommies; Thetford adds swim-throughs, and the more exposed Pellowe is weather-dependent. Depth and current suitability are decided for each diver and site. Bring your certification card and complete the operator’s medical screening; illness, medication or an indicated medical condition may require clearance.
MV Scubapro II itinerary map
Indicative Cairns–outer reef–Cairns connections, not a fixed sequence or navigation track. Flynn, Milln, Thetford and weather-dependent Pellowe belong to one programme, not four separate cruises. The captain chooses sites, order and overnight moorings.
- Three days / two nights: Cairns → a selection of outer-reef sites → Cairns, aboard the same Scubapro vessel. The line illustrates Flynn, Milln and Thetford; it does not promise a visit to all three. Pellowe is another published option when conditions permit.
Principal dive-site references
- Flynn Reef: Reef reference for sites such as Gordon’s Mooring and Tracy’s Bommie; not an exact dive mooring.
- Milln Reef: Reef reference; Swimming Pools and Whale Bommie are among the operator’s named sites.
- Thetford Reef: Reef reference; bommies, walls and swim-throughs, with site choice governed by conditions.
Map references checked 9 October 2026: Pro Dive reef programme; Flynn / OpenStreetMap; Thetford / OpenStreetMap; GBRMPA Milln site plan. Positions are for trip planning, not navigation.
Travelling with a non-diver?
Snorkellers can join the three-day reef programme, with snorkelling equipment and meals included. The current non-diver fare needs a date-specific quote. The holiday centres on the reef and life aboard; regular beach or island excursions are not advertised.
Scubapro fleet: reef diving film
Dive The World’s Scubapro programme film; it is not a current inspection of an individually assigned vessel. Watch on YouTube
Budget beyond the cabin fare
| Item | Current booking context |
|---|---|
| Base fare | Request the three-day / two-night shared twin or double fare in AUD for your dates. |
| Published mandatory extras | The partner currently lists AUD 100 environmental charge and AUD 25 fuel surcharge per person per trip; establish whether your quote includes them. |
| Included | Meals, relevant dive/snorkel gear, computer and torch, air, bed linen, Cairns city transfers and the advertised dive insurance. |
| Nitrox | Operator package: AUD 140 per certified diver for the 11-dive programme. |
| Other spending | Private guiding, courses, sole occupancy, Northern Beaches transfers, extra drinks, flights and pre/post-trip accommodation. |
For a quote that excludes both published mandatory charges, the trip subtotal is base fare + AUD 125. Adding the operator’s Nitrox package makes that base fare + AUD 265. These are useful comparisons, not a full holiday total or a guarantee that every seller displays fees the same way. Rates and inclusions were checked on 9 October 2026.
Early start, afternoon return
Pro Dive recommends visiting its Grafton and Shields streets shop the evening before sailing for paperwork and equipment. The published trip starts with a 6am city-hotel pickup or 6:20am shop check-in, then departure at 7am. Return to city accommodation is around 4pm on day three. Northern Beaches transfers cost extra.
The final dive normally finishes by noon. Pro Dive requires a 24-hour interval before flying, so noon the following day is the earliest flight time on that schedule. An optional restaurant farewell dinner ashore costs extra. The direct-booking cancellation policy offers a refund more than 48 hours before departure; agent conditions can add separate fees.
What guests loved — and what could be better
These accounts concern the Pro Dive Cairns fleet programme; the reviewed departures do not consistently identify an individual Scubapro hull.
What guests loved
Kiauni P, reviewing on 6 October 2026, said the crew’s knowledge and support made a rough-weather trip rewarding. The equipment, meals and diving felt good value to that guest, even though conditions above water were challenging.
Joanna C’s 29 September 2026 review particularly praised the crew and food alongside colourful reef life. Alexander L, on 6 October 2026, described becoming comfortable with buddy navigation despite being new to unguided diving. Those are individual experiences, not a substitute for choosing an appropriate level of support.
What could be better
Rough and choppy weather appears in the reviewed accounts, including Kiauni P’s recent trip and Skye M’s February 2022 visit. Both still enjoyed the trip. No consistent recent vessel-maintenance criticism was established from this sample; shared bathrooms and bunk beds are booking trade-offs rather than guest complaints invented for balance.
When another boat might suit you better
OceanQuest is worth comparing if an en-suite bathroom or a one-night stay matters more than staying on one boat throughout. For the Ribbon Reefs or Coral Sea, compare the actual routes of Spirit of Freedom and Spoilsport.
Questions before booking MV Scubapro II
Is this a booking for one particular Scubapro boat?
The partner sells the Pro Dive Cairns programme. If the identity of the vessel is essential to you, obtain that assignment from the operator; the fleet has three sister ships.
Are the cabins en-suite?
No. There are 14 twin-bunk and two double cabins per vessel, with eight shared toilet/shower combinations.
Does this trip reach Cod Hole or Osprey Reef?
No. The regular programme uses Flynn, Milln, Thetford and Pellowe near Cairns. Northern Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea expeditions are different trips.
Are all eleven dives guided?
Guided orientation and night dives are included. Other dives are normally buddy dives, with private guiding sold separately.
What do I need to pack that is not supplied?
Two towels, personal clothing, certification card and any required medical clearance. Bedding and dive equipment are supplied; excess luggage can stay at the shop.
Can I learn to dive on the liveaboard?
Pro Dive offers beginner courses with the liveaboard component after the relevant preparation and training. The certified-diver trip by itself is not a substitute for completing those course requirements.
When can I fly after the trip?
The operator requires 24 hours after the final dive. With the published noon finish on day three, plan a flight no earlier than noon on day four.
What is the difference between Scubapro I, II and III?
Their published layout and regular reef programme are shared. Their build years are 1998, 2002 and 2004 respectively; booking one name does not establish that it has more amenities or a better itinerary.
Share your Scubapro review with the vessel name, travel date, cabin and highlights or limitations.
Editorial information checked 9 October 2026. This is a source-based update, not a new onboard inspection.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
Townsville
Explore the Yongala Wreck, one of the best dive sites in Australia! Access to the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns
Excellent Place for scuba diving courses and to get your Padi Open Water. Main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Liveaboard starting point.
Great Barrier Reef
Excellent Diving and liveaboard destination. Amazing spot for Big fishes, Sharks, superb coral and underwater photography. Most popular place in the World to learn scuba diving in Cairns. One of the best dive sites in the World with the Yongala Wreck!
Ningaloo Reef
Excellent scuba diving with the chance to spot Whale Sharks or Manta Rays during the right season.
Port Douglas
Perfect gateway to the Great Barrier Reef with possibility of snorkelling tours and diving day trips. Many Liveaboard cruises start from Port Douglas.
Australia
From the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo to southern wrecks and seadragons, Australia rewards choosing a region and season that suit the diving you love.
Whitsunday Islands
Good Diving on the local reef dive sites and easy access to excellent diving on the Great Barrier Reef!
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