Cod Hole Diving - Spirit of Freedom 3 Day & 3 Night Cod Hole Fly & Dive Tour

Sleek and spacious, the 'Spirit of Freedom' offers the best in live-aboard dive cruising to the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs. This tour begins every Monday from Cairns and travels along the rarely visited Ribbon Reefs, finishing 240 km to the north at the world famous Cod Hole.

Over two and half days you will have the opportunity for up to 11 dives and 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.

Your last night is spent on board the 'Spirit' in the bay at Lizard Island. Enjoy time ashore at Lizard Island the next morning, before boarding your return flight to Cairns. The one-hour, low-level scenic flight back will arrive in Cairns around 11:30am on Thursday.

Monday: Boarding Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf (complimentary transfers from Cairns city hotels are available) for a 12 noon departure. Lunch will be served on board whilst you cruise to the Great Barrier Reef to the north of Cairns, for an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive.

Tuesday & Wednesday: These two days are 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 know as a channel for sharks to pass through. You will also dive select sites over the Ribbon Reefs. Up to 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on the Tuesday. On Wednesday evening the Spirit of Freedom will overnight at Watson's Bay on Lizard Island and guests will enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.

Thursday: This morning after breakfast you will disembark and say farewell to Spirit of Freedom. On shore at Lizard Island you can take the guided walk from Watson's Beach to Mary Watson's cottage over Chinaman's Ridge and back to the air-strip. Here you will board a twin-engine light aircraft for your low level flight over the reef and / or along the coast back to Cairns. The one hour flight arrives at Hinterland Aviation, Cairns General Aviation Airport around 11.15 to 11:30am, where the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will meet you for your transfer back to your Cairns city hotel.

Please note that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence may change in accordance to the weather and the accessibility

• Return coach transfers from Cairns city accommodation
• Stunning low level reef flight from Lizard Island to Cairns
• 3 Days & 3 Nights with 2 ½ dive days
• Opportunity for up to 11 dives
• All cabins with ensuite and daily service
• Chef prepared gourment meals
• Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals

Special note: Due to light aircraft weight restrictions, your total luggage weight is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person. We request that bags be soft sided.
 

• Ocean View Deluxe Cabin AU$2870.00 - Includes Government Reef Tax
• Ocean View Standard Cabin AU$2665.00 - Includes Government Reef Tax
• Double Stateroom AU$2665.00 - Includes Government Reef Tax
• Double or Twin Share Cabin AU$2310.00 - Includes Government Reef Tax
• Quad Share Cabin AU$1975.00 - Includes Government Reef Tax

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

Please Note: All cabins onboard have private ensuite bathroom facilities 

• Full Gear Hire (including dive computer) AU$135.00 per person
• PADI Advanced Dive Course AU$285.00
• PADI Nitrox Course AU$280.00
• 3 Day Nitrox Fill package AU$110.00

• Cancellations made 21 Days or more in advance of travel will incur a 20% cancellation fee
• Cancellations made 21 Days or less prior to travel will incur a 100% cancellation fee 

• Reef Levy - A $20.00 per person per trip Reef Levy applies to all passengers entering the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• Fuel Levy - With fluctuations in world oil prices it may be necessary to apply a fuel surcharge to your ticket price. A fuel surcharge of AU$10.00 per person per day is currently applicable. As the fuel surcharge may fluctuate pricing may be subject to change. Please contact us within 7 days of your trip date for current fuel surcharges.

• Non Diving Passengers and Snorkellers recieve a AU$200.00 discount per person
• Sole Occupancy please double the Per Person Cabin Rates and deduct AU$150.00 per day 
• Ocean View Cabins and Stateroom cabins contain a double bed only and rates are based on Double occupancy

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.

Special Booking Notes: 

Snorkellers: The reefs of the Ribbon Reefs are relatively close to the surface, and with little current, offer excellent snorkelling at most sites. Experienced snorkelers are most welcome to join this tour and a discount off the advertised diver rate will apply. Please note that while you be safe under the watchful eye of the 'look-out' crew, a snorkel buddy may not always be available.

Luggage Restrictions: Due to light aircraft restrictions, your total weight of your luggage is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person, including your dive gear and carry on luggage.