See the Adrenaline Pumping Shark Feed with Spirit of Freedom
- Scenic Reef Flight 🛩️ Begin your adventure with a stunning low-altitude flight over the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, setting the tone for the unforgettable Spirit of Freedom 4 Night Coral Sea trip.
- Dive into Remote Reefs 🌊 Explore the pristine dive sites of the Coral Sea, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life.
- Exhilarating Shark Feed 🦈 Experience the thrill of a live shark feed at North Horn, Osprey Reef, guided by experts to ensure both safety and an unforgettable encounter.
- Luxury Liveaboard & Expert Crew 🚢 Enjoy spacious cabins, gourmet meals, and attentive service from a highly skilled crew, all designed for comfort and safety during your Coral Sea adventure.
- Breathtaking Horizons 🌅 Witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the open ocean, creating unforgettable moments on your Spirit of Freedom 4 Night Coral Sea trip.
- Night Diving Wonders 🌌 Discover the enchantment of night diving, where the reef comes alive with nocturnal creatures and unique underwater sights.
- Explore the Reef’s Secrets 🌊 Deepen your understanding of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea through engaging sessions led by the onboard Master Reef Guide.
The Spirit of Freedom 4 Night Coral Sea trip 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.
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.
Is 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. During this trip you will have the opportunity to dive both, with the majority of your dives taking place at Osprey Reef.
Can non-divers come on the Trip?
Non-Divers 🚤
This trip is not well suited for non-divers.
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 4 Night Coral Sea trip 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 🐟
You’ll encounter an extraordinary array of marine life in some of the world’s most remote and pristine dive sites. At Osprey Reef, experience thrilling interactions with grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks during the famous shark feed. The vibrant coral walls found in the Coral Sea are teeming with species like barracuda, trevally, and schools of colourful anthias. You may also spot majestic manta rays, green sea turtles, and intricate macro life, such as nudibranchs and shrimp, hiding among the coral formations. This journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the diverse marine ecosystems of the Coral Sea.
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
✨ Need help? Check out our Guide to Liveaboards ✨
Highlights
So the best part of your trip?
Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat and Sleep! For 4 Days!
Also:
- Luxury Dive Vessel
- Up to 15 dives along remote reefs
- Osprey Reef
- Shark Attraction
- Ribbon Reefs
- Scenic flight from Cairns to Lizard Island
- Chef prepared Meals
Itinerary
Sunday
The Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will pick you up from your Cairns city hotel at 7:00 a.m. and transport you to Hinterland Aviation at Cairns General Aviation Airport. First, you will board a light plane for a picturesque ride up the coast to Lizard Island, where your 4-night liveaboard dive tour will begin.
When you arrive, be greeted by the crew and travel across to the vessel by tender. Following a quick vessel tour, we will depart for Ribbon Reefs 9 and 10. We’ll be able to do two dives this afternoon to Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Gardens, and Pixie Pinnacle, among other places. After dinner, we will set out in the dark for a 10-hour journey across the Coral Sea to Osprey Reef.
Monday and Tuesday
As long as the weather permits, we will spend two days diving at Osprey Reef. The Coral Sea reefs of Australia are known for their crystal clear water and 30 to 100 metres visibility. The scenery is breathtaking, with steep walls lined with gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals reaching hundreds of feet above the ocean floor. The Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive is completed at North Horn. This point of Osprey is a spot where you can see grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and Hammerhead sharks if you are lucky! Each day will have four to five dives, including a night dive on Monday.
After the diving is complete and our bellies are full, we will depart Osprey Reef on Tuesday night for an overnight steam.
Wednesday
This morning we will wake up back on the Ribbon Reefs. Today’s plan is to dive the incredible Steve’s Bommie and a few other sites at Ribbon Reef Number 3. If we have phenomenal weather, we will head south to Bougainville Reef. It is notable for its distinctive underwater topography, caves, and the half-submerged wreck sitting atop the Reef.
Sooner or later, it will be time to start steaming home, sadly wrapping up our Osprey Reef trip. Enjoy a delicious farewell BBQ dinner with the crew.
Thursday
Just as the sun peaks over the horizon, Spirit of Freedom will dock back at the Wharf at approximately 6:30 a.m. After enjoying a light breakfast on board, it is time for a group photo and to say our goodbyes.
Included
- 4 nights Great Barrier Reef liveaboard accommodation onboard ‘Spirit of Freedom’.
- Up to 15 scuba dives along the remote Ribbon Reefs, as well as the remote Osprey Reef.
- A low-level reef scenic flight from Cairns to 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.
- Daily cabin service (including towels).
- Widescreen TV/DVD.
- Comfortable lounge areas and sun deck.
- Air-conditioning throughout.
- Snorkelling Equipment included
Optional Extras
So what is not included?
- Full Equipment Hire
- Regulator and Dive computer
- Dive computer
- Buoyancy Control Device
- Torch and Cyalume sticks
- Wetsuits 3mm and 5mm full Length
- PADI Advanced Course
- PADI Nitrox Course
- 4 Day Nitrox Package
- Onboard purchases (drinks and souvenirs)
What to bring
Almost everything is taken care of but you will need to bring along:
- 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 the General Aviation Airport. Courtesy transfers are included from your Cairns City Hotel.
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.
- This trip is weather-dependent, and making it out to Osprey Reef is never guaranteed.
- 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.
- Maximum 20 kg luggage allowance per person, including carry-on. Excess baggage secure storage available upon request
- Please inform us of any specific dietary or other requirements upon booking
- Scuba diving is only available to Certified Divers with Open Water level qualification or higher.