Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef Liveaboard Expedition
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 4,252
Board the sleek Spirit of Freedom to enjoy Australia’s best liveaboard experience on the Great Barrier Reef. Spend three days sailing from Cairns and dive fascinating underwater sites along the rarely-visited Ribbon Reefs and the world-famous Cod Hole, home to massive and friendly Potato Cod.
This 4-day Australian vacation takes you on a liveaboard adventure aboard a diving vessel on the Great Barrier Reef. It features moderate accommodations aboard the vessel, small group diving tours, and is a great add-on to a longer stay in Australia.
Your journey begins in northeastern Queensland and Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll transfer to Trinity Wharf and meet the crew of the Spirit of Freedom, who’ll take you on board the vessel, which will be your home for the next three nights. The Spirit of Freedom is a 3-star diving vessel built for long-range cruising. It was voted Australia’s best liveaboard vessel and has 11 comfortable guest cabins for those travellers who want to experience life atop of the reef. After an introductory dive, you’ll enjoy dinner as you cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.
You’ll spend two full days diving the Great Barrier Reef, specifically the most northern of the Ribbon Reefs, Numbers 9 and 10. You’ll also take a dive at the famous Cod Hole, where you’ll share the waters with hundreds of massive and friendly Potato Cod. You may also get the chance to dive sites such as the Wonder-wall and Challenger Bay, and drift dive along Dynamite Pass to watch the sharks in the waters. After your two days of dives, you’ll travel to Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island where you’ll enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner and overnight.
You’ll disembark on Lizard Island and enjoy a guided walk from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage over Chinaman’s Ridge, where you’ll board your flight back to Cairns.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 4,252
Itinerary View Trip Map
Depart Cairns
The Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel around 11:00am to transfer you to Trinity Wharf, where you will board the vessel. The Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation before a 12 noon departure, will greet you. Enjoy lunch on board while we cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon checkout dive and a twilight or night dive. After dinner, we cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Nights |
| Accommodation |
Spirit of Freedom |
-
Spirit of Freedom
The Spirit of Freedom was custom built for long range cruising and to optimise the sea conditions of the Coral Sea region. Design features such as the specific length of the vessel, combined with electronic stabilizers ensure maximum sea keeping capability for greatest passenger comfort. …
The Spirit of Freedom was custom built for long range cruising and to optimise the sea conditions of the Coral Sea region. Design features such as the specific length of the vessel, combined with electronic stabilizers ensure maximum sea keeping capability for greatest passenger comfort. Heavy duty medium rev marine diesel engines provide fuel efficiency, reliability, and low vibration and sound emission.
Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Bar
- Diving
- Lounge
- Sundeck
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Great Barrier Reef
Today is 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.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Great Barrier Reef
Today is 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. See the dive site page for site selection of some of our dive sites on the Ribbon Reefs. 4 to 5 dives will be available. This evening we overnight at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Lizard Island & Great Barrier Reef
This morning after breakfast, you will have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island. A good chance to stretch your legs on land at this half waypoint, you can take the guided walk from Watson's Beach to Mary Watson's cottage over Chinaman's Ridge and back to the beach. Around 11.00am, 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.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Great Barrier Reef
Today will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia's Coral Sea reefs are known for crystal clear water with visibility ranging 30 to 100 metres. The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, 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. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Great Barrier Reef
Today will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia's Coral Sea reefs are known for crystal clear water with visibility ranging 30 to 100 metres. The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, 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. 4 to 5 dives will be available and tonight we will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Ribbon Reefs
At Ribbon Reefs Number 3 we 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 or caverns, and its partially submerged wreck. Tonight we will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Back into Cairns
We arrive back into Cairns at 06:30am. Enjoy a light breakfast on board and a group photo opportunity before being dropped back to your Cairns accommodation around 08.00am.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Monday's
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Transfers to and from Cairns City accommodation and the Spirit of Freedom
- Chef prepared meals and 2 drinks - Australian wine, beer or soft drinks with evening meals
- Low level scenic flight between Cairns and Lizard Island
- Daily cabin service
- Wifi when in range
- Nautilus lifeline GPS locator devices issued to all diving guests
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire
26 Feb 2024
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