Great Barrier Reef Cod Hole, Northern Reef & Coral Sea Live Aboard Tours, Spirit of Freedom Dive Tours, Spirit of Freedom - 7 Day Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea

Sleek and spacious, the 'Spirit of Freedom' offers the best in live-aboard dive cruising to the Coral Sea and Ribbon Reefs.

This tour begins every Monday from Cairns, and travels 240km along the rarely visited Ribbon Reefs, to the Cod Hole. Along the 'Ribbons' you will encounter clouds of colourful tropical fish, an incredible variety of vibrant healthy corals, giant clams, anemones, huge schools of cruising pelagic fish, and a family of giant potato cod.

Within your 7 days, you will also spend 2 days at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. An old volcanic atoll lying 220km off the coast, Osprey Reef is renown for its spectacular walls to 1000m, its massive soft corals, shark action, and exceptional visibility. 'North Horn' at the tip of Osprey is a site where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the occasional oceanic congregate. Here you can also experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive.

This tour also includes an overnight stay in secluded Watson's Bay and a couple of hours ashore at Lizard Island. Return to Cairns 7 days later on the Monday morning

Monday: 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. You will be greeted by the Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation of the vessel before a 12 noon departure. Enjoy lunch on board whilst you cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive. After dinner the vessel cruises north to the Ribbon Reefs.

Tuesday & Wednesday: These two days are spent divingat 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 will 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 on the Tuesday. On Wednesday evening you will overnight at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.

Thursday: 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 way point, 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 you 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 you may repeat a dive at the Cod Hole or visit new sites. Depart in the evening for a 10 hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

Friday & Saturday: Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia's Coral Sea reefs are renown 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 on the Friday. On Saturday night the vessel will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.

Sunday: At Ribbon Reefs Number 3 you may 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 Reef to Bougainville Reef, known for its unusual underwater landscape or caverns, and its partially submerged wreck. On Sunday evening the vessel will cruise overnight back to Cairns.

Monday: 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 hotel around 08.00am. Please Note: That above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence may change. Access to the Cod Hole and the Coral Sea is weather conditional and while every attempt will be made to keep to the advertised itinerary, the Coral Sea and specific sites on the Great Barrier Reef are not guaranteed. Special note: The new 7 day itinerary, Monday departure does not return to Cairns for the full 7 days. Flights are not included, and therefore there are no limitations on weight.

• Return transfers from Cairns City accommodation
• Opportunity for up to 27 dives
• 7 nights (6 ½ dive days)
• 3 to 4 days on northern Ribbon Reefs
• 2 days at the Coral Sea
• Time ashore at Lizard Island
• En-suite cabins with daily service
• Chef prepared meals
• Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals

• Ocean View Deluxe Cabin AU$4300.00
• Ocean View Standard Cabin AU$3900.00
• Stateroom AU$3900.00
• Double or Twin Share Cabin AU$3395.00
• Quad Share Cabin AU$2775.00

** Enquire About Current Dive Specials ~ Stand-by Rates May Be Available **

• Ocean View Deluxe Cabin AU$4450.00
• Ocean View Standard Cabin AU$4050.00
• Stateroom AU$4050.00
• Double or Twin Share Cabin AU$3525.00
• Quad Share Cabin AU$2925.00

• 1 Ocean View Deluxe - Very large cabin, with double bed, wardrobe, 2 bed side tables, desk, Flatscreen TV and DVD
• 1 Ocean View - Smaller cabin with double bed, wardrobe, 1 bedside table, Flatscreen TV and DVD
• 1 Stateroom - Very spacious cabin with queen bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, 2 bedside tables, Flatscreen TV and DVD
• 5 Double or Twin Cabins - Double bed with single over, wardrobe, 1 bedside table
• 1 Twin Share Cabin - Bunk beds with king single under, single over, wardrobe
• 2 Quad Share Cabin - 4 single beds, bunk style, wardrobe

Please Note: All cabins onboard have private ensuites

• Full gear hire (including dive computer) AU$245.00 per person
• PADI Advanced course AU$220.00
• PADI Nitrox Course AU$220.00
• 7 Day Nitrox package AU$180.00

• A $15.00 per person per trip fee applies to all passengers entering the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• From 04th of August 2008 a fuel surcharge may apply and is subject to fluctuation without notice (POA)

• Non Diving Passengers, please deduct $100 off the 3 & 4 trip rate and $200 off the 7 day rate
• Sole occupancy available at 2 person rate less $250 (n/a quad share cabin)
• Ocean View Cabins and Stateroom cabins contain double bed only and rates are based on double occupancy
• Travel insurance is highly recommended.

All passengers are strongly advised to purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance policy that includes

• Trip Cancellation insurance, and
• Evacuation & Medical cover for Scuba Diving.

Please be aware that Scuba Diving and in-water activities are not covered by all Travel Insurance companies. Please read the wording of your policy carefully.

NOTE: In a Medical Emergency any evacuation, vessel relocation or medical expenses are the financial responsibility of that diver.