Spirit of Freedom 3 night liveaboard to the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs
Spirit of Freedom 3-Night Liveaboard Trip
Explore the Ribbon Reefs & Cod Hole – Experience some of the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef, including the world-famous Cod Hole, where giant potato cod interact with divers.
Up to 11 Dives in 3 Days – With multiple dives each day, including morning, afternoon, and night dives, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter pelagic species like reef sharks and rays.
Perfect for Divers of All Levels – Suitable for certified divers, the 3-night trip offers a mix of shallow dives, deep bommies, and exciting drift dives for everyone to enjoy.
Access to Remote, Pristine Dive Sites – The liveaboard gives you access to exclusive reef sites, including the Ribbon Reefs, where you can enjoy exceptional visibility and abundant marine life, away from the crowds.
Comfortable Accommodation Onboard—After a day of diving, Stay in spacious, air-conditioned cabins with all the comforts you need. Enjoy gourmet meals, relax in the sundeck area, and enjoy panoramic views of the reef.
Dive with Diverse Marine Life – Expect to see turtles, giant fish schools, vibrant corals, reef sharks, and even the occasional manta ray. The Cod Hole is also famous for its curious potato cod that get up close and personal with divers.
Seamless Dive Experience – With expert dive guides, small dive groups, and top-of-the-line dive gear, the Spirit of Freedom ensures a smooth, relaxing, and safe dive experience from start to finish.
Discover Spirit of Freedom 3 night liveaboards
Spirit of Freedom 3-night liveaboard to the world-famous Cod Hole near Lizard Island. Explore the remote Ribbon Reefs with up to 11 dives and discover a range of pinnacles and bommies in fantastic visibility. Finally, round off your trip with a stunning low-level Reef Scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns mainland.
Spirit of Freedom has plenty of room to move around, not to mention a spacious dive deck! This dive trip to the Cod Hole offers a quality liveaboard tour for certified scuba divers and the opportunity for Snorkelling for non-divers.
Outstanding Coral Sea Scuba Dive Expeditions
Your three-day cruise offers exceptional scuba dives throughout the Ribbon Reefs, with incredible marine life and visibility. Provided you join in on all the diving, you can complete up to 11 scuba dives. This dive trip includes a spectacular night dive full of Reef Sharks, Giant Trevallies, and free swimming Moray Eels! Not to mention the Potato Cod Feed at the famous “Cod Hole”. All in all, you won’t want to be leaving the boat at the end of the trip!
The Ribbon Reefs on Spirit of Freedom, 3 night liveaboard
Situated a short distance north of Cairns are the Ribbon Reefs, a string of 10 Coral Reefs so aptly named from 1 through 10. After all, being in such a remote location, the condition of these reefs offers some spectacular diving, with gorgeous coral gardens, pinnacles and bommies.
The Cod Hole
The Cod Hole Dive site is at Ribbon Reef #10. This world-renowned dive site offers phenomenal diving, not to mention the chance to get up close and personal with the Potato Cod. These curious creatures can grow up to 2 metres in length and, by all means, are a pure highlight for this dive site. Watch on as the crew conducts the Cod Feed, where occasionally, these gentle giants swim right up past your mask!
The Cod Hole itself provides some versatile diving. There is plenty to explore with shallow coral gardens that stagger down towards a channel. With the current picking up on an incoming tide, this may turn into a drift dive! Spot pelagic fish such as Flowery cod, Scorpionfish, and Reef Sharks. If you are lucky, you might be able to spot a Pygmy Seahorse!
Lighthouse Bommie
The Ribbon Reefs are not just about the Cod Hole! Another fantastic dive site found at the Ribbon Reefs that is well worth a visit is Lighthouse Bommie. This pinnacle structure reaches approximately 30m in depth and thrives with marine life. Say hello to the resident Turtle that loves to hang out here. Try and spot the many macro sea life, such as pipefish and nudibranchs. Keep your eyes peeled for some larger species and see if you can find a spotted eagle ray. During June-July, the Dwarf Minke Whales frequent the Ribbon Reefs, and they love to hang around Lighthouse Bommie. So if you travel to the Ribbon Reefs now, you are in for a big surprise!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for Spirit of Freedom 3 night liveaboard trips
What dive sites will we visit on the 3-night Spirit of Freedom trip?
The 3-night liveaboard takes you to some of the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef, including the famous Cod Hole, where giant potato cod interact with divers. You’ll also explore the pristine Ribbon Reefs, featuring vibrant coral gardens, deep bommies, and drift dives teeming with marine life.
How many dives are included on the trip?
This trip offers up to 11 dives over three days, including early morning, daytime, and a night dive. The schedule allows you to fully immerse yourself in the underwater world, with plenty of time to explore different reef environments.
Do I need to be a certified diver to join this trip?
Yes, the Spirit of Freedom 3-night liveaboard is designed for certified divers. If you haven’t dived in a while, we recommend doing a refresher dive before the trip. If you want to upgrade your skills, you can also complete an Advanced Open Water or Nitrox certification onboard.
What marine life can I expect to see?
The Ribbon Reefs are home to an incredible variety of marine life. Expect to see giant potato cod, reef sharks, sea turtles, schools of barracuda, manta rays, and a stunning array of soft and hard corals. Night dives often reveal hunting reef sharks, octopuses, and bioluminescent plankton.
What’s included in the trip?
The Spirit of Freedom 3-night trip includes: Up to 11 dives at world-class reef sites, Luxury onboard accommodation with air-conditioned cabins. All meals prepared by an onboard chef, Dive gear and tanks (or bring your own), Guided dives with expert dive instructors, A scenic low-level flight from Lizard Island back to Cairns
Why Choose the Spirit of Freedom 3-Night Liveaboard?
A 3-night liveaboard on Spirit of Freedom is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the incredible beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. With world-class dive sites like the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs, up to 11 dives, and luxurious onboard comforts, this trip is designed for certified divers who want to experience the reef at its best. Whether you’re swimming alongside giant potato cod, exploring pristine coral walls, or enjoying a night dive under the stars, every moment is unforgettable. Add in gourmet meals, expert dive guides, and a scenic flight back to Cairns, and you have an adventure like no other. Book your Spirit of Freedom liveaboard today and get ready for the dive trip of a lifetime! 🌊🐠🤿
So the best part of your trip?
Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat and Sleep! For 3 Days!
Also:
Luxury Dive Vessel
Up to 11 dives along remote reefs
Cod Hole to visit the famous Potato Cod
Ribbon Reefs
Scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns
Chef prepared Meals
During the months of June and July, it is Minke Whale season in this area!
Thursday
Around 10:30 a.m., the Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel and take you to Trinity Wharf. The Spirit of Freedom crew will greet you and give you an orientation of the vessel before you sail on your 3-night liveaboard dive tour at 12 noon.
While we travel to the outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive, enjoy lunch on board.
We cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs after Dinner, ready for our diving adventures the next day.
Friday & Saturday
These two days will be spent scuba diving among the Ribbon Reefs, from Number 3 to Number 10.
The dive sites and sequence may change depending on the weather, but at least one dive at the Cod Hole is guaranteed, where you’ll meet a family of gigantic and very friendly Potato Cod. Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and Snake Pit are all possible destinations.
If the current is right, you can also drift dive at Dynamite Pass, which is known for being a shark passageway. Some of our dive locations on the Ribbon Reefs are listed on the Ribbon Reef website. Each day will have 4 to 5 dives, and a night dive on Friday. We spend the night in Lizard Island’s Watson’s Bay on Saturday evening and enjoy a sunset BBQ meal on the top deck.
Sunday
After breakfast, you will disembark and bid farewell to the Spirit of Freedom.
Take the guided trek from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage through Chinaman’s Ridge and finally back to the airstrip on Lizard Island.
After a picnic of a Breakfast Roll and beverages, board a light aircraft for your return flight to Cairns. Enjoy A low-level Reef scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. A courtesy coach will meet you at Hinterland Aviation, Cairns General Aviation Airport, around 11.15 to 11:45 a.m. for your transfer back to your Cairns city accommodation at the end of your liveaboard dive adventure.
3 nights Great Barrier Reef liveaboard accommodation onboard ‘Spirit of Freedom’.
Up to 11 scuba dives along the remote Ribbon Reefs, including the world-famous Cod Hole
A low-level Reef scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns.
GST and all reef levies and fees.
Bus transfers to and from Cairns City accommodation.
Wonderful chef-prepared meals daily.
Complimentary wine and soft drinks with evening meals.
Air-conditioned, ensuite cabins.
Daily cabin service
Widescreen TV/DVD.
Comfortable lounge areas and sun deck.
Air-conditioning throughout.
Snorkelling Equipment included
Your trip to the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs includes Tanks and Weights, but you can upgrade to include the following:
Full Equipment Hire
Regulator and Dive computer
Dive computer only
Buoyancy Control Device
Torch and Cyalume sticks
Wetsuits 3mm and 5mm full Length
PADI Advanced Course
PADI Nitrox Course
3 Day Nitrox Package
Onboard purchases (drinks and souvenirs)
Almost everything is taken care of except:
Personal luggage, clothes, toiletries etc
Maximum 20 kg (45lb) luggage allowance per person including carry-on.
Excess baggage secure storage available upon request
Personal Dive Equipment. Full or Part Gear Hire available.
Certification card or divers logbook
Dive Insurance
Cash or credit card for onboard purchases
Spirit of Freedom departs from Trinity Wharf. Courtesy transfers are included from your Cairns City Hotel.
Snorkelers and experienced divers with strong physical fitness are recommended.
Recommendation for Diver Experience: Open Water certification with a minimum of 10 ocean dives, five of which must be within the last 12 months.
Because we do not provide a full guided diving service, buddy teams are responsible for arranging and performing their own dives.
Ocean diving is a fun but physically demanding activity, and a lack of physical fitness or scuba diving expertise may limit your ability to participate fully. Our primary concern is for your safety. If in doubt, a Scuba Diver Refresher course is recommended before your trip.
Diver Safety: You will need medical clearance before embarking on a liveaboard dive trip if you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication. For assistance, please get in touch with us.
A minimum of 60 days' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any date and/or name change will incur a $20 administration fee.
We are required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to: [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee 60 days or more before departure
40% cancellation fee within 60 days and 30 days before departure
100% cancellation fee within 30 days before departure and for "No Show"
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather, etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation, and medical cover.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavour to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
Maximum baggage allowance of 20kg per passenger (additional secure baggage storage available free of charge).
All guests are required to sign an agreement to the terms and conditions of the trip and complete a medical statement in accordance with Queensland diving regulations. Some divers may be required to present a medical clearance to dive if they currently have, or have a history of, certain medical conditions or are taking any medication - please check with us prior to your trip if unsure.
Dive tours are for certified divers only - please bring proof of certification on the trip.
Travel and scuba diving insurance, including medical evacuation cover, are strongly recommended.
Travel and itineraries are subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances and may be cancelled at the discretion of the company and/or Captain for passenger and vessel safety.
Specific dive sites and the number of dives are not guaranteed.
Spirit of Freedom will endeavour to adhere to the advertised itinerary, but reserve the right to alter the itinerary or cut short the tour in the event of medical emergency, inclement weather severe storm or named cyclone in the region may delay our departure or require the trip to be cut short or cancelled. If you are travelling in the cyclone season (December to April) you are advised to purchase, well prior to your Travel Date, insurance that covers force majeure events (being events outside the control of the parties, such as natural disasters).
In the event that the advertised itinerary is altered or the tour is cut short:-
a) We will not be liable to provide a refund for your booking, or the unused portion of your booking;
b) We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or out of pocket costs suffered by you, howsoever caused (whether direct or indirect), as a result of the cancellation or change to the itinerary; and
c) You may choose one of the following options:
I. Accept new arrangements that might, at our absolute discretion, be made by us; or
ii. Accept a replacement tour from us of equivalent standard and price that, subject to availability, might be offered by us at our absolute discretion.
4.4. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, you accept that we will only be obliged to refund fees on a pro rata basis, and will not be responsible for alternative accommodation or tours, nor will we be liable for any other direct or indirect loss, expense, inconvenience or disappointment.
4.5. You agree to accept that where we, Spirit of Freedom, make a major change to your booking prior to your Travel Date, other than in accordance with clauses 4.1 or 4.2, our liability to you, if you are no longer able to complete the tour, will be limited to a full refund of your booking and we will not be liable for any other costs or expenses you have incurred in connection with your booking, including but not limited to additional trips, flights and hotels, or any loss or damage suffered by you as a result of the change.
Please remember you need to allow 24 hours from your last dive before flying.
MEDICAL STATEMENT AND DIVER INFORMATION FORM
5.1. If you are participating in scuba diving on any of our tours, you are required to complete a Medical Statement at least 30 days prior to your departure date. The Medical Statement is included within the Diver Information Form and is available online on our web site. A link with instructions will be sent to you or your Agent at the time of your booking.
5.2. If you respond YES to Questions 2, 3, or 4 on the Medical Statement, it is a requirement that you produce a dive medical clearance that was obtained from a doctor within the last 12 months, without which you will be unable to participate in scuba diving. We are not responsible or liable for
any delays in medical related issues and any cancellation for medical reasons will be subject to the charges set out in clause 3.1 above.
5.3. Upon arriving at our vessel, and before commencing any dive activities, you will be required to complete our Diver Information Form. You will ensure that all information provided is strictly accurate.
5.4. If during the tour it becomes apparent that you have incorrectly completed the Medical Statement or our Diver Information Form, by omission or false statement, you agree that we have the right to prevent you from undertaking any scuba diving activities while on board our vessel. Any decision made in this regard will be at the absolute discretion of the Dive Master aboard the vessel.
INSURANCE ADVICE
6.1. We strongly recommend that you purchase a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy that covers you for personal injury and the events outlined in clauses 3 and 4, including but not limited to, your cancellation for any reason, and the cancellation or alteration to the scheduled itinerary for reasons involving weather or passenger, crew or vessel safety.
6.2. We strongly recommend that you also purchase Evacuation and Medical cover for scuba diving. Scuba diving and In-water activities are not covered by all Travel Insurance Policies, and you must read the wording of your Policy carefully. It is important to note that in the event you require medical emergency services, the evacuation, medical, and vessel relocation expenses are your financial responsibility.
6.3. Divers Alert Network (DAN) www.diversalertnetwork.org & Dive Assure www.diveassure.com offer comprehensive insurance packages specifically for scuba divers. In particular, Dive Assure offer a liveaboard Rider (insurance) which includes coverage specific to liveaboard trips such as flight cancellations or delays resulting in missed liveaboard departures, vessel mechanical failures, medical inability to dive, inclement weather (in addition to named storms/cyclones) and other incidents. We recommend that you purchase the options that include coverage for the events outlined in clauses 3 and 4 above. It is our experience that many travellers undertaking scuba diving activities hold both general travel insurance and a specific dive insurance policy.
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