For Live-Aboard diving enthusiasts this live aboard dive trip represents the ultimate dive vacation. Dives include Osprey Reef, on the Coral Sea with other sites such as Cod Hole, Dynamite Pass, North Horn, Bougainville Reef, Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom and Flare Point. With Gourmet Meals and the Outstanding Level of Service you will feel like you are aboard your own private yacht.
Day 1 Board Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf (complimentary transfers from Cairns city hotels are available) for a 12 noon departure. Lunch will be served on board while we cruise to the Great Barrier Reef to the north of Cairns, for an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive.
Days 2 & 3 These two days are spent diving at the most northern of the Ribbon Reefs, Number 9 & 10 Ribbon Reefs, 120 miles to the north of Cairns. You will dive at the Cod Hole, where you encounter a family of massive and very friendly Potato Cod. Other sites may include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit, just to name a few. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on Day 2. On Day 3 you will overnight at beautiful Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
Day 4 This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you have the opportunity to go ashore and explore Lizard Island. At 10:30am you will board a twin-engine light aircraft at Lizard Island for your low level flight over the reef back to Cairns. Arriving back at Cairns airport at approximately 11:30am, the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will meet you for your transfer back to your Cairns city hotel.
Operates Departs every Thursday from Cairns 12:00pm & Returns to Cairns 12:00pm every Sunday
Need to Know Diver experience recommendation: Open Water certification with minimum 10 ocean dives including 5 dives in the last 12 months. Less experience may result in limited diving due to environmental conditions. We recommend a Scuba Diver Refresher course prior to your trip.
Diver Health: If you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication, you will need a medical clearance. For further details refer to our Diver Information form or contact our Reservations team.
Luggage Restrictions: Due to light aircraft restrictions, your total weight of your luggage is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person, including your dive gear and carry-on luggage.
Snorkelers: Snorkeling on Spirit of Freedom is in waters which are exposed and not ‘calm sheltered waters’. The itinerary is best suited to Scuba Diving and you may not be able to snorkel at every site. There are opportunities to snorkel as the reef top of the Ribbon Reefs are relatively close to the surface. Most of the guests are scuba divers, however experienced snorkelers with a good level of fitness are welcome to join this tour. Please note that a snorkel buddy may not always be available, you may be required to snorkel alone and to wear our floatation equipment. You will be safe under the watchful eye of the ‘look-out’ crew.
Inclusions Transfers to/from Cairns city accommodation; Low level reef flight – Lizard Island to Cairns; Opportunity for up to 11 dives; Cabin with private bathroom and daily service; Chef prepared meals; Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals
Upgrades Available Extend this trip to 7 day nights by including the Coral Sea and Ribbon Reefs Adventure
For Live-Aboard diving enthusiasts this live aboard dive trip represents the ultimate dive vacation. Dives include Osprey Reef, on the Coral Sea with other sites such as Cod Hole, Dynamite Pass, North Horn, Bougainville Reef, Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom and Flare Point. With Gourmet Meals and the Outstanding Level of Service you will feel like you are aboard your own private yacht.
Day 1: Scenic Flight to Live-Aboard Dive Boat
Transfer from Cairns Accommodation to Cairns airport to catch your twin-engine light aircraft for your amazing scenic flight over the reef to Lizard Island. You will be greeted on arrival and transferred to the Sleek and Stylish dive vessel to depart for the reef. This afternoon you will have the opportunity for two dives before departing in the late evening for Osprey Reef, in the Coral Sea. The dives may be at sites such as the famous Cod Hole and turquoise waters of the Ribbon Reefs.
Days 2 & 3: Diving Osprey Reef with Shark Dive
Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are renowned for crystal clear water with an average visibility in excess of 100 feet. Two days can be spent diving at remote Osprey Reef, including North Horn for an unforgettable Shark Dive. You can expect to see grey whalers, silvertips, reef sharks, occasional hammerheads, schooling barracuda, trevally, and other pelagics are common. The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals rising from thousands of feet below.
Day 4: Dive Bougainville Reef or in the Ribbon Reefs
Depending on the weather and sea conditions you will dive the spectacular Bougainville Reef or perhaps return to the Ribbon Reefs to dive the sensational Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom, Flare Point, and other spectacular dive sites. After dinner on Sunday evening you will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Day 5: Arrive into Cairns
Arrive Cairns early morning. A fabulous Breakfast will be served on board and transfers will be arranged.
Operates
Departs Cairns every Sunday at 8:30am on Sunday & Returns 8:00am to Cairns every Thursday.
Need to Know
Please note that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary, or the sequence may change. Access to the Cod Hole and the Coral Sea is weather conditional and while every attempt will be made to keep to the advertised itinerary, the Coral Sea and specific sites on the Great Barrier Reef are not guaranteed.
Diver experience recommendation: Open Water certification with minimum 10 ocean dives including 5 dives in the last 12 months. Less experience may result in limited diving due to environmental conditions. We recommend a Scuba Diver Refresher course prior to your trip.
Diver Health: If you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication, you will need a medical clearance. For further details refer to our Diver Information form or contact our Reservations team.
Luggage Restrictions: Due to light aircraft restrictions, your total weight of your luggage is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person, including your dive gear and carry-on luggage.
Snorkelers: The (at times) deeper reefs tops and swift currents of the Coral Sea, make the Coral Sea reefs only suitable for very experienced snorkelers and strong swimmers with a high level of fitness. You may not be able to snorkel at every site. Please note that while you may be safe under the watchful eye of the ‘look-out’ crew, a snorkel buddy may not always be available and you may be required to snorkel alone and to wear floatation equipment.
Inclusions
- Transfers to/from Cairns city accommodation
- Low level reef flight – Lizard Island to Cairns
- Opportunity for up to 15 dives
- Cabin with private bathroom and daily service
- Chef prepared meals
- Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals
Not-included (payable on board): Fuel & Marine Park Levies
Upgrades Available
Extend this trip to 7 day nights by including the world famous Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs Adventure
For diving enthusiasts this liveaboard dive trip represents the ultimate dive vacation. Dives include Osprey Reef, on the Coral Sea with other sites such as Cod Hole, Dynamite Pass, North Horn, Bougainville Reef, Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom and Flare Point. With Gourmet Meals and the Outstanding Level of Service you will feel like you are aboard your own private yacht.
Special Expeditions: In June/July this trip offers the chance to swim with Minke Whales as they congregate in the Ribbon Reefs.
Day 1: Depart Cairns & Dive
The Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel around 11:00 am to transfer you to Trinity Wharf. There you will be greeted by the Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation of the vessel before you depart on your 7-night liveaboard dive trip at 12:00 noon.
Enjoy lunch on board while you cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive.
After dinner, cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.
Days 2 & 3: Diving Ribbon Reefs
These two days are spent diving at the most northern of the Ribbon Reefs, Number 9 & 10 Ribbon Reefs.
Dive sites and sequence may vary depending on the weather conditions, but will always include at least one dive at the Cod Hole, where you encounter a family of massive and very friendly Potato Cod. Other sites may include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit, just to name a few.
If the current is right, you may also take a drift dive at Dynamite Pass, well known as a channel for sharks to pass through. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on Friday. On Saturday evening overnight at Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
Day 4: Mountain Walk & More Diving
This morning after breakfast you will have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island. This is a good chance to stretch your legs on land at the halfway point of your trip! We recommend taking the guided walk from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage, over Chinaman’s Ridge, and back to the beach.
Around 11.00 am you will cruise back to Ribbon Reef Number 10 for two dives at a choice of sites including the Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, and Pixie Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle.
If the tide permits you may repeat a dive at the Cod Hole or visit new sites. Depart in the evening for a 10-hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
Days 5 & 6: Dive Osprey Reef
Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are renowned for their crystal clear water, with visibility ranging from 30 to 100 metres. The landscape is amazing, with sheer walls laced with gorgonian fans, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, rising from the ocean floor thousands of feet below.
‘North Horn’ is a dive site at the tip of Osprey where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the occasional oceanic congregate, and you can experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. Four to five dives will be available each day, including a night dive on Monday.
On Tuesday night depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.
Day 7: Dive Bougainville Reef or in the Ribbon Reefs
After overnight travel back to the Great Barrier Reef arrive at Ribbon Reefs Number 3 where you will dive such sites as the sensational Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. A second option for this day, in special weather conditions, is to head south from Opsrey to Bougainville Reef, known for its unusual underwater landscape and caverns, and its partially submerged wreck. This evening you will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Day 8: Arrive in Cairns
Arrive Cairns approximately 06:30am. Breakfast will be served on board and hotel transfer will be arranged for approx 8:00am.
Operates
Departs Cairns every Thursday at 12:00pm & returns to Cairns every Thursday at 8:00am
Includes
- Chef-prepared drinks meals & snacks, wine and soft drinks are included with the evening meal.
- Tanks, air fills, Nautilus Lifeline and weight belt. Full equiptment rental available for fee.
- Daily cabin service.
- Cairns hotel or Airport transfers.
- GST and all reef levies and fees.
Need to Know
Please note that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary, or the sequence may change. Access to the Cod Hole and the Coral Sea is weather conditional and while every attempt will be made to keep to the advertised itinerary, the Coral Sea and specific sites on the Great Barrier Reef are not guaranteed.
Diver experience recommendation: Advanced Diver certification with minimum 20 ocean dives including 5 dives in the last 12 months.
Diver Health: If you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication, you will need a medical clearance. For further details refer to our Diver Information form or contact our Reservations team.
Luggage Restrictions: Due to light aircraft restrictions, your total weight of your luggage is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person, including your dive gear and carry-on luggage.
Snorkelers: Only the Ribbon Reefs portion of this trip is suitable for snorkelers.The (at times) deeper reefs tops and swift currents of the Coral Sea, make the Coral Sea reefs only suitable for very experienced snorkelers and strong swimmers with a high level of fitness. You may not be able to snorkel at every site. Please note that while you may be safe under the watchful eye of the ‘look-out’ crew, a snorkel buddy may not always be available and you may be required to snorkel alone and to wear floatation equipment.
Room Types Available are:
Ocean View Deluxe
Located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck, the Ocean View Deluxe Cabin boats a 10.5m² area with 3 large windows overlooking the starboard side of the vessel.
A comfy double bed will ensure you are well rest for a full day of diving. The room features bedside tables, wardrobe and 26″ flat screen TV.
The cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom.
Double or Sole occupancy only.
Ocean View Standard
Ocean View cabin is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck.
As the name suggests, you will enjoy stunning views from this air conditioned 7.2m² cabin, which contains a double bed, private bathroom, a wardrobe and 26” flat screen TV.
Double or Sole Occupancy only.
Stateroom
The largest of all cabins onboard the vessel, The Stateroom cabin is located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon.
Fully air-conditioned, this spacious 12m² cabin contains a queen size bed, a private bathroom, extra shelving, wardrobe, bedside tables and 26″ flat screen TV.
Double or Sole Occupancy only: no twin share option available.
Standard Double/Twin
Spirit of Freedom has seven standard double or twin share cabins. Five of these cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk style. One cabin contains just a double bed and one cabin has two single beds.
These cabins are all located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck and have an average area of 10m² square metres in area.
Fully air-conditioned, the cabins have an ensuite bathroom and also contain a wardrobe, personal reading light and a bedside table.
Please advise your preference for double or twin share when placing your booking. Sole occupancy also available.
Quad Share
Located midships on the lower deck, the quad share cabin containing four single beds, bunk style and is a great options for groups or families as you explore the Great Barrier Reef on your epic dive adventure.
This 9m² cabin has easy access to the main deck and includes a private ensuite bathroom and personal reading lights for each bed.
The cabin is fully air-conditioned and also contains a wardrobe, as well as storage under the bottom two bunks.
