Meet the famous Potato Cod on the Spirit of Freedom 3-Night Cod Hole Trip
- Iconic Cod Hole Dive 🐟 Experience the world-famous Cod Hole, where you’ll get up close with friendly potato cod in crystal-clear waters.
- Stunning Ribbon Reefs 🐠 Explore the breathtaking Ribbon Reefs including , packed with vibrant marine life and perfect for divers of all experience levels.
- All-Inclusive Comfort ☁️ Enjoy spacious, air-conditioned cabins, delicious chef-prepared meals, and plenty of relaxation time between dives.
- Expert-Led Diving 🤿 Dive with experienced guides who’ll ensure you have safe, fun, and unforgettable underwater adventures.
- Scenic Low-Level Flight 🛩️ Wrap up your trip with a spectacular flight over the Great Barrier Reef, giving you a bird’s-eye view of this natural wonder.
- Night Diving Adventures 🌌 Experience the magic of night diving, where the reef comes alive with nocturnal creatures and unique underwater sights.
- Discover the Wonders of the Reef 🌊 Gain a deeper understanding of the Great Barrier Reef and its incredible marine life through engaging sessions with the onboard Master Reef Guide.
Spirit of Freedom offers diving like you’ve never seen before. It is recommended that you have at least your Open Water Certification, at least 10 ocean dives, 5 of those in the last 12 months, and a good level of fitness when coming on board.
When booking, remember that this itinerary involves diving in open water in an isolated, remote area; please make sure you’re confident in the water and in your dive skills.
Minke Whales 🐋
During June, July and early August, you have the chance to catch the migratory Minke Whales! This is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon that will take your breath away.
FAQ’s
Are there Dive Courses on Board?
Dive Courses 🤿
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Build your skills and confidence with five specialty dives, including pre-dive briefings and underwater tasks. Theory can be completed prior to your trip.
PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Learn to dive with Nitrox to extend your no-decompression limits. Includes self-study and practical application.
Minke Whale Awareness Specialty This course, available during Minke Whale season, explores whale biology, behaviour, and conservation, with a focus on safe interaction protocols.
Scuba Refresher Course For divers out of practice, a refresher session is available locally to prepare for your trip.
Are the Ribbon Reefs part of the Great Barrier Reef?
Ribbon Reefs 🐠
Yes! The Great Barrier Reef is comprised of thousands of reefs, the Ribbon Reefs are a collection of reefs between Cooktown and Lizard Island. Home to many well-known dive locations like Steves Bommie, Coral Princess Gardens, Lighthouse Bommie and the Cod Hole.
Can non-divers come on the Trip?
Non-Divers 🚤
The Ribbon Reefs are an incredible highlight of the Spirit of Freedom 3 Night Cod Hole adventure. These reefs are perfect for both snorkelling and diving, offering numerous shallow sites with vibrant coral gardens and calm conditions that are ideal for snorkellers of all experience levels.
For those who prefer to stay dry, guests can relax onboard, enjoying the spacious sundeck, soaking in the breathtaking views, or unwinding in the comfortable saloon areas. There’s something for everyone on this unforgettable experience.
What Marine life can I see?
Marine Life 🐟
On the Spirit of Freedom 3 Night Cod Hole trip, you’ll have the chance to see an incredible variety of marine life. Interact with the famous potato cod at the Cod Hole, known for their large size and curious nature. The Ribbon Reefs are home to clownfish, parrotfish, and angelfish species, as well as green sea turtles and reef sharks. You might also spot giant clams, moray eels, and schools of trevally. For those looking closely, nudibranchs and other fascinating macro critters can be found among the coral gardens. It’s a remarkable opportunity to explore the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.
What dates can I book?
Booking 🗓️
Spirit of Freedom has select sailings and can book out well in advance. We recommend to call ahead when checking for dates or if you have special requirements that need accommodating for.
When planning flights in conjunction with this tour, please keep the following in mind:
- We strongly advise against flying on the same morning as the trip or departing by air on the same day.
- Ensure you observe the 24-hour no-fly rule after diving for your safety. This allows you to enjoy your experience fully and ensures you have adequate time to decompress before flying.
Destinations in this tour
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.
- 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
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
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.
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.