Spirit of Freedom 3 night liveaboard to the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs

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 back 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 amazing marine life and incredible 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

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 conduct 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 at this time, you are in for a big surprise!

Explore more Great Barrier Reef liveaboards

 

Highlights

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!

Itinerary

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.

Included

  • 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.
  • 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

Optional Extras

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)

What to bring

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, Reef Tax & Fuel Levy to pay onboard (mandatory national park fees)

How to get there

Spirit of Freedom departs from Trinity Wharf. Courtesy transfers are included from your Cairns City Hotel.

Important Information

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. A Great Barrier Reef Day Trip is recommended for guided 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.

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Quad Share

Spirit of Freedom has one quad share cabin containing four single beds, bunk bed style. The Quad Share Cabin is 9 square metres in area (including the bathroom), fully air-conditioned, and also contains a wardrobe and private bathroom.

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The Stateroom is the largest cabin at 12 square metres in area (including the bathroom) and contains a queen-size bed, extra shelving, wardrobe, bedside tables, and a 26″ flat-screen TV. The Stateroom is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. It is located on the lower deck at the back of the vessel. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

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The smaller of the 2 Top Deck Cabins with an oceanview. 7.2 square metres in area (including the ensuite). Double bed, wardrobe, and 26″ flat-screen TV and fully air-conditioned. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

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Spirit of Freedom Ocean view deluxe Stateroom North Queensland Australia

Ocean View Deluxe

The larger of the 2 Top Deck Cabins with an oceanview. 10.5 square metres in area (including the ensuite). Double bed, bedside tables, wardrobe, and 26″ flat-screen TV and fully air-conditioned. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

Departs

Coral Sea Dive Expeditions Spirit of Freedom ocean view standard, North Queensland Australia

Ocean View Standard Sole Use

The smaller of the 2 Top Deck Cabins with an oceanview. 7.2 square metres in area (including the ensuite). Double bed, wardrobe, and 26″ flat-screen TV and fully air-conditioned. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

Departs

Stateroom Spirit of Freedom North Queensland Dive Expeditions Australia

Stateroom Sole Use

The Stateroom is the largest cabin at 12 square metres in area (including the bathroom) and contains a queen-size bed, extra shelving, wardrobe, bedside tables, and a 26″ flat-screen TV. The Stateroom is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. It is located on the lower deck at the back of the vessel. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

Departs

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