Embark on the Adventure
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with the Spirit of Freedom 7-night dive expedition, exploring the spectacular wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Departing from Cairns every Thursday, this liveaboard experience offers the ultimate opportunity to dive into the world-renowned Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, and Osprey Reef.
As you step aboard the spacious and state-of-the-art Spirit of Freedom, your journey begins with a warm welcome and a vessel tour. Over the first three days, cruise over 240 kilometres to the Ribbon Reefs, where you’ll encounter a breathtaking underwater paradise teeming with vibrant marine life and pristine coral formations. Dive into crystal-clear waters and marvel at the giant potato cod, giant clams, and schools of pelagic fish that call these remote reefs home.
On Saturday, anchor at Lizard Island for a memorable evening BBQ on the top deck, then have a chance to explore the island’s scenic landscape and historical sites. Bid farewell to guests joining the 3-day expedition before setting sail to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, known for its towering walls, giant soft corals, and thrilling shark encounters.
Over the next two days, dive into the depths of Osprey Reef, where you’ll witness spectacular coral gardens, swim-throughs, and caves. Don’t miss the shark attraction dive at North Horn, where you’ll have the opportunity for a close encounter with up to 30–40 sharks, including grey reef and silvertip sharks.
The final leg of the expedition takes you to Ribbon Reef Number 3 or Bougainville Reef, depending on weather conditions, before cruising back to Cairns on Thursday morning. Enjoy breakfast onboard before bidding farewell to the Spirit of Freedom and reflecting on the unforgettable memories created during your 7-night dive expedition.
Final Leg and Farewell
Conclude your expedition with a visit to Ribbon Reef Number 3 or Bougainville Reef before cruising back to Cairns, reflecting on the unforgettable memories created during your 7-night adventure.
Highlights
So the best part of your trip?
Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat and Sleep! For 7 Days!
Also:
- Luxury Dive Vessel
- Up to 26 Dives along remote reefs
- Cod Hole so visit the Fanous Potato cods
- Ribbon Reefs
- Osprey Reef
- Shark Attraction
- Time on Lizard Island
- Chef prepared Meals
Itinerary
Thursday
Pick you up from your Cairns hotel around 11:00 am to transfer you to Trinity Wharf.
You will be greeted by the Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation of the vessel before a 12noon departure. Enjoy lunch on board while we cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or even night dive. So once we have dinner it’s time to bunker down while we travel north to the Ribbon Reefs.
Friday and Saturday
These two days are spent diving at the most northern Ribbon Reefs, Number 9 & 10 Ribbon Reefs. With this in mind, dive sites and sequences may vary depending on the weather conditions.
You will certainly get a dive at the Cod Hole, where you can look forward to an encounter with a family of massive and very friendly Potato Cod. But other sites we visit may include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit, to name a few.
If the current is right, you can also take a drift dive at Dynamite Pass. This dive site is certainly well known as a channel for sharks to pass through. You will have 4-5 dives available each day, including a night dive on Friday.
On Saturday evening, we anchor at Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
Sunday
After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island. A good chance to stretch your legs on land at this halfway point! Take part in the guided walk from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage over Chinaman’s Ridge and up to the lookout over the bay.
Around 11.00 am, we 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, Pixie Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle. If the tide permits, we may repeat a dive at the Cod Hole or visit new sites. We depart in the evening for a 10-hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
Monday and Tuesday
Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are well known for crystal clear water with visibility ranging from 30 to 100 metres. The landscape is fantastic, with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, sea whips, as well as 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. Experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on Monday.
On Tuesday night, we will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to back to the Ribbon Reefs.
Wednesday
At Ribbon Reefs Number 3 we will dive such sites as the sensational Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. Then again, if we are lucky to have great weather conditions, we will head south from Osprey to Bougainville Reef. This stunning Reef has unusual underwater landscapes and caverns, as well as a partially submerged wreck. On Wednesday evening, we will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Thursday
Just as the sun rises, we arrive back in Cairns around 6:30 am. Before our trip is complete, it’s time for a quick light breakfast on board. As well as a quick group photo with your new friends! But now it’s time to say goodbye, as we travel back to our Cairns hotels around 8:00 am.
This Itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or change. Access to Cod Hole and the Coral Sea is tide and weather conditional.
Included
So what is included?
- 7 days 7 nights liveaboard accommodation onboard ‘Spirit of Freedom’.
- Up to 26 scuba dives including Night Dives
- Time ashore at the beautiful Lizard Island
- Bus transfers to and from Cairns City accommodation
- GST and all reef levies and fees
- Wonderful chef-prepared meals daily
- Complimentary wine and soft drinks with evening meals
- Air-conditioned, en-suite cabins with daily service
- Tanks and Weights
- Snorkelling Equipment
Optional Extras
So what is not included?
- 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
- 7 Day Nitrox Fills Package
- Onboard purchases (drinks and souvenirs)
What to bring
And what will I need to bring?
- Personal luggage, clothes, toiletries etc
- Excess baggage secure storage available upon request
- Personal Dive Equipment – Also available for hire upon booking if required.
- (Snorkel-only passengers snorkel equipment provided free of charge)
- Certification card or divers logbook
- Dive Insurance
- Cash or credit card for onboard purchases
How to get there
But how will I get there?
Hotel pickups are included from Cairns and Northern Beaches accommodation.
Important Information
Safety Comes First!
- Advanced Diver Certification with a minimum of 20 ocean dives including five dives in the last 12 months.
- Less experience may result in limited diving due to environmental conditions and remote isolation of dive sites.
- We recommend a Scuba diver Refresher course before your trip.
- 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.
- Diver Health. If you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication, you will need a Dive Medical clearance under the Australian standard AS. 4005.1. Before being allowed to Scuba Dive.
- Please inform of any specific dietary or other requirements upon booking
- Scuba diving is only available to Certified Divers with Open Water level qualification or higher.
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