Daintree joined the Royal Navy in 1879, and was posted as a supernumerary naval cadet to , serving on the North America station. He was a sub-lieutenant when posted to for navigating duties in January 1886, and was promoted to lieutenant later the same year, on 2 October 1886. The following year, he was on 13 September 1887 posted to , in the Mediterranean Fleet, and a year later to in October 1888.
