Embark on a 7 Night Dive Expedition with Spirit of Freedom
- Best of the Coral Sea & Ribbon Reefs 🐠: Experience the highlights of two world-class dive regions, combining the dramatic Coral Sea with the biodiversity of the Ribbon Reefs.
- Dive Remote & Pristine Reefs 🌊: Explore crystal-clear waters with vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and incredible marine life.
- Cod Feed at the Cod Hole 🐟: Get up close with giant potato cod during a unique feeding experience at the iconic Cod Hole.
- Exhilarating Shark Feed 🦈: Witness the thrill of a live shark feed at the famous Osprey Reef, guided by expert dive professionals.
- Luxury Liveaboard & Expert Crew 🚢: Relax in spacious accommodations, savour gourmet meals, and benefit from the care and knowledge of a highly experienced crew.
- Night Diving Wonders 🌌 Experience the magic of the reef after dark, as nocturnal marine life emerges and unique underwater behaviours unfold.
- Unveil the Reef’s Secrets 🌊 Enhance your knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea with insightful sessions hosted by the onboard Master Reef Guide.
The Spirit of Freedom 7 Night Dive Expedition features dives with no visible bottom and strong current; this trip is recommended only for those with an Advanced Diver ticket or above, as well as a good level of fitness.
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 and Osprey Reef part of the Great Barrier Reef?
Osprey Reef and the Coral Sea 🐠
Both Osprey Reef and The Great Barrier Reef are separate reef systems located in the Coral Sea. The Ribbon Reefs are a reef system within the Great Barrier Reef. During this trip, you will have the opportunity to dive the best sites from both of these locations
Can non-divers come on the Trip?
Non-Divers 🚤
Whilst non divers can enjoy parts of this trip, there will be sites where it will be unsuitable for snorkelling.
The Ribbon 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.
The Coral Sea is known for its stronger currents and deeper dive sites, making many locations unsuitable or unsafe for snorkelling. However, non-diving guests are welcome onboard and can take advantage of the ship’s amenities, including the sun deck and saloon, to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views while divers are in the water.
As the Spirit of Freedom 7 Night Dive Expedition is tailored to experienced divers, the primary focus is on advanced underwater activities. Prospective guests with specific needs or concerns are encouraged to contact the operator for further information or alternative recommendations.
What Marine life can I see?
Marine Life 🐟
On Spirit of Freedom’s 7 Night Dive Expedition, which explores both Osprey Reef and the Ribbon Reefs, divers encounter an incredible variety of marine life. At Osprey Reef, a remote Coral Sea gem, expect thrilling interactions with grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and the occasional silvertip shark during the famous shark feed. The steep coral walls here are home to schools of barracuda, trevally, and colourful anthias, as well as the occasional manta ray or hammerhead shark.
The Ribbon Reefs, located along the Great Barrier Reef, offer a contrasting environment with vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine ecosystems. Here, you’ll find clownfish darting among anemones, parrotfish grazing on coral, and angelfish adding splashes of colour. Keep an eye out for green sea turtles, giant clams, moray eels, and schools of fusiliers. Macro enthusiasts will delight in spotting nudibranchs, shrimp, and other small critters hidden among the reefs.
This trip offers an unmatched opportunity to experience the diversity and beauty of two of Australia’s most renowned marine environments.
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 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.
- 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.
