What Quicksilver Group does

Quicksilver Group (legal entity Quicksilver Connections Limited) is a privately held Australian tourism operator founded in 1979 and headquartered in Cairns, Queensland. It operates as Australia's leading Great Barrier Reef cruise company, offering the widest portfolio of reef experiences in Tropical North Queensland, including outer barrier reef cruises (Quicksilver Cruises, Great Adventures, Silver Series, Poseidon), sailing catamaran trips (Wavedancer to Low Isles, Ocean Spirit to Michaelmas Cay), PADI dive training and liveaboard operations (Pro Dive Cairns and Quicksilver Dive), a 46-room boutique eco-resort on Green Island, underwater helmet diving (Seawalker), indigenous cultural tours (Wunyami), and an in-house marine biology and environmental research division (Reef Biosearch, est. 1986). The asset base comprises 14 vessels, 4 permanently moored reef activity platforms at Agincourt Reef (Ag2D and Ag3) and Moore Reef, and access to more than 60 exclusive dive sites along the Great Barrier Reef.

The group's revenue is generated through ticket and package sales across cruise, dive, accommodation, charter, and cultural product lines, distributed via a direct-to-consumer website (qsg.respax.com), phone reservations, walk-ins at Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal and Port Douglas Marina, travel-agent familiarisation networks, and the global PADI dive referral system. Recent capital deployment — including $2M on Quicksilver V (2024), $1.1M on Poseidon (2024), and $1.66M on Silversonic (2025) — has converted the Port Douglas outer reef fleet to Rolls-Royce mtu engines certified for HVO renewable fuels, enabling up to 90% CO2 reduction and partially insulating operations from diesel price volatility. The fleet is supported by sustainability infrastructure including solar arrays at Green Island and Port Douglas, food digesters with 90% volume reduction, a tertiary sewage treatment plant, and the "Cakemaker 5000" mechanical sludge dewatering unit.

Quicksilver holds 15-year GBRMPA operational permits, Advanced Ecotourism certification since 1997 (Hall of Fame status since 2020), and 9 Master Reef Guides across the Group, and operates Reef Biosearch — the largest tourism-based marine biology team on the GBR with over 20 university-educated biologists and the longest ongoing logbook of marine observations on the reef. The company employs approximately 630 staff across Port Douglas, Cairns, and Green Island and has historically pursued growth through acquisition of complementary reef and dive brands (Pro Dive Cairns, Great Adventures, Green Island Resort, Ocean Spirit, Poseidon, Seawalker).

Name

Quicksilver Group

Legal name

Quicksilver Connections Limited

Website

https://quicksilvergroup.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Quicksilver Group is a privately held Australian tourism operator founded in 1979, operating 14 vessels, 4 reef platforms, a 46-room eco-resort, and PADI dive schools to deliver cruises, diving, sailing, and accommodation experiences on the Great Barrier Reef for domestic and international visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reef Tourism and Dive Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Catamaran & Sailing Cat Cruise Operators (THAEADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Cruises & Small-Ship Nature Cruises (Expedition Cruising) (THAAAEAK), Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF)

Keywords

• Reef cruise tours
• Scuba dive training
• Snorkel excursions
• Eco-resort accommodation
• Liveaboard diving

Headquarters

HQ city

Cairns

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Reef Cruise and Tour Operations: The company generates primary revenue through ticket sales for Great Barrier Reef cruise experiences including outer reef cruises, dive and snorkel excursions, sailing trips, and island resort stays. Ticket pricing varies by experience type and duration.
2. Dive Training and Certification: Pro Dive Cairns and Quicksilver Dive generate revenue through PADI certification courses, liveaboard dive trips, and equipment retail sales. Entry-level diver training courses include 3-5 day PADI Open Water programs.
3. Accommodation (Green Island Resort): Green Island Resort generates revenue from 46-room boutique eco resort accommodation, dining at Emeralds Restaurant, and day visitor packages including lunch and activities.
4. Charter and Private Vessel Hire: Quicksilver offers charters and incentive programs for corporate events, private groups, and special occasions using their fleet of vessels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Quicksilver Group operates Great Barrier Reef cruise, dive, and island tourism services from bases in Cairns and Port Douglas, Australia. The company runs outer barrier reef cruises, dive and snorkel excursions, sailing trips, PADI-certified dive training, liveaboard dive trips, and boutique eco-resort accommodation on Green Island. It manages 14 vessels and 4 reef activity platforms and sells tickets, certifications, and accommodation directly to tourists and through travel trade partners.

Product overview

Quicksilver Group operates as a unified reef tourism platform offering the widest range of Great Barrier Reef experiences in Tropical North Queensland. The portfolio comprises core cruise products (Quicksilver Cruises, Great Adventures, Silver Series, Poseidon Cruises), sailing experiences (Wavedancer, Ocean Spirit), dive training operations (Quicksilver Dive, Pro Dive Cairns), luxury accommodation (Green Island Resort), unique underwater experiences (Seawalker), and an environmental research division (Reef Biosearch). The company manages 14 major vessels, 4 reef activity platforms, and employs 630 staff across Port Douglas, Cairns, and Green Island operations. The integrated platform enables visitors to choose from outer barrier reef cruises, dive and snorkel excursions, liveaboard dive trips, island resort stays, and cultural/educational experiences, all supported by the company's in-house environmental stewardship and marine biology team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Quicksilver Cruises Flagship outer barrier reef cruise operation taking guests from Port Douglas and Cairns to Agincourt Reef using wavepiercing catamarans and a floating reef activity platform at Agincourt 3.
• Great Adventures Day tours to the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island departing from Cairns aboard modern high-speed catamarans, including transfers to Green Island Resort and the Moore Reef platform.
• Silver Series Specialised Great Barrier Reef dive and snorkel day trips operating ultramodern custom-designed 29m catamarans Silversonic (Port Douglas) and Silverswift (Cairns), visiting over 30 exclusive Agincourt reef sites.
• Poseidon Cruises Personalised dive and snorkel adventures departing daily from Port Douglas to exclusive Agincourt ribbon reef sites on a 24m catamaran capped at 65 passengers with high staff ratio and onboard marine biologists.
• Quicksilver Dive 5 Star PADI Training and Instructor Dive Centre in Port Douglas offering all levels of diver training, including adaptive techniques for people with special needs.
• Pro Dive Cairns Australia's premier scuba dive school and outer reef liveaboard dive operator, a 5 Star PADI and Instructor Development Centre offering dive courses, 3 day/2 night liveaboard trips, and dive equipment retail sales; has certified over 194,300 divers.
• Wavedancer Low Isles Sailing catamaran cruise from Port Douglas to Low Isles, offering luxury sailing combined with an air-conditioned lounge and expansive deck for reef and snorkel activities.
• Ocean Spirit Cruises 32 metre luxury sailing catamaran operating day cruises to Michaelmas Cay with a wide range of activities to experience the cay's unique reef environment.
• Green Island Resort Boutique 46-room eco resort on Green Island offering first-class accommodation, Emeralds Restaurant dining, and day visitor packages combining lunch, transfers, and reef activities.
• Seawalker Green Island Underwater helmet diving experience at Green Island allowing visitors to stroll along the sea floor guided by expert instructors, no scuba certification required.
• Reef Biosearch Environmental and educational division with over 20 university-educated marine biologists delivering interpretive reef experiences, Reef Talk presentations, eco tours, and the longest ongoing logbook of marine observations on the Great Barrier Reef.
• Cairns to Port Douglas Ferry Service Passenger vessel transfer service between Port Douglas Crystalbrook Marina and Cairns Marlin Wharf for travellers in Tropical North Queensland.
• Wunyami Cultural Tours Cultural walking tours on Green Island owned and operated by traditional owners sharing stories of the Gurrugulu Gunghandji and Gimuy Yidinji peoples.

Quantifiable outcome

• 194,300+ PADI divers certified since 1983
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 202642+ year partnership with world's largest diver training organisation. Pro Dive Cairns and Quicksilver Dive operate as PADI 5 Star centres. Pro Dive Cairns is Australia's first PADI Instructor Development Centre and has certified 194,300+ divers. PADI presents Outstanding Contribution Awards annually, with Quicksilver entities recognised multiple times.
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government regulatory partner for Tourism Reef Protection Initiative (TRPI). Quicksilver is one of 26 operators providing reef protection and conservation services. Partnership includes Eye on the Reef monitoring, crown-of-thorns starfish control, and site stewardship programs. GBRMPA granted Quicksilver 15-year operational permits.
• Great Barrier Reef FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for Coralpalooza - the biggest international day of collaborative action for coral reefs. Also partner in coral restoration and resilience initiatives.
• Coral Nurture Program / The Great Barrier Reef FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative partnership for coral restoration and building resilience to climate change at high-value reef locations.
• Penske AustraliacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Supplier of Rolls-Royce mtu commercial marine engines for vessel refits. Quicksilver VIII, Quicksilver V, Silversonic, and Poseidon all equipped with mtu engines certified for HVO renewable fuels.
• UpparelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Textile recycling partner for old staff uniforms, converted into fibre for packaging, signage, and homewares. Prevents 3-4kg greenhouse gases per 1kg textiles diverted.
• Close the LoopminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Innovative company repurposing soft plastics like used printer cartridges into asphalt additive for road surfacing.
• University Technology SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research partner for Coral Nurture Program at Great Adventures Moore Reef platform using innovative coral clip technology for coral propagation.
• Citizens of the Great Barrier ReefcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Quicksilver is a foundation member of this global social movement for reef conservation, founded by Earth Hour creator Andy Ridley.
• OzHarvestminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Food rescue program partner since 2018 - excess quality food from Cairns daily cruises donated to local charities, reducing landfill and methane emissions.
• MARS Sustainable SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in coral restoration research at Green Island involving star-shaped metal frames, clips and biodegradable cable ties for coral fragment attachment.
• Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner in Master Reef Guide program alongside GBRMPA and Tourism and Events Queensland. Program delivers expert interpreter training for reef guides.
• Tangaroa Blue FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Provider of Little Hero Beach Hand Bin devices used in Green Island eco tours for marine debris collection and environmental education.
• Reef EcologiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Collaborative coral restoration research partner for electric coral growth technology project at Agincourt Reef 3 - first of its kind in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Spirit of Freedom: Cairns-based reef cruise and 3-day liveaboard dive operator competing directly with Quicksilver's dive cruise and liveaboard portfolio in the certified-diver segment.
• Cruise Whitsundays: Operates day cruises to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach with a comparable catamaran-and-platform tourism model targeting the same Tropical North Queensland visitor flow as Quicksilver's reef experiences.
• Passions of Paradise: Cairns-based outer reef cruise operator offering snorkel and dive day trips directly competing with Quicksilver Cruises and Great Adventures for the same international and domestic tourist segment.
• Reef Encounter: Cairns liveaboard dive operator running 3-day/2-night trips comparable to Pro Dive Cairns' liveaboard offering, selling to the same certified diver segment.
• Down Under Dive: Cairns PADI dive school and liveaboard operator whose entry-level certification and training offering directly overlaps Pro Dive Cairns and Quicksilver Dive.
• Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom: Port Douglas-based smaller reef cruise operator offering personalized dive and snorkel trips to the same Agincourt and outer reef sites as Quicksilver's Silver Series and Poseidon products.
• Coral Expeditions (Coral Princess): Australian small-ship cruise line sailing Great Barrier Reef, Cape York and Kimberley itineraries; directly comparable vessel-led reef experience product and similar PADI dive training affiliations.

Broad incumbents

• Ponant: Global luxury expedition cruise operator running small ships to the Great Barrier Reef; overlaps Quicksilver's luxury sailing and eco-reef experience at the high-end of the same customer segment.
• Hurtigruten Group: Major expedition cruise line operating small ships globally including Australian reef and remote-island itineraries; competes at the broader small-ship eco-expedition category in which Quicksilver participates.

Regional players

• Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort: Southern Great Barrier Reef eco-resort combining reef access and accommodation similar to Green Island Resort, but operating at a different point on the reef with its own resort-and-reef bundle.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/reefcruises
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/quicksilvergroup

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quicksilver Group