Mike Ball 3 Night Fly / Dive Cod Hole Excursion

This excursion starts with an incredible 250 kilometre low level scenic reef flight to Lizard Island, gliding just above the reefs you'll be diving. Soon you are swimming with diver size fish at the Cod Hole before exploring the exquisite Ribbon Reef sites north of Cooktown. Here you see the best concentrations of pristine corals, colourful tropical fish and fantastic Minke Whale encounters (months of June, July and August). Enjoy comfortable cruising within sheltered waters aboard Spoilsport where space, comfort and stability are unmatched.

Spoilsport is a three level catamaran, accommodating a maximum of 29 divers. Food, accommodation and organisation of the dives is excellent, and has earned Spoilsport many repeat customers. There are four categories of air–conditioned cabin types: Premium Cabins (Ocean View, Double Bed & Private Ensuite Bathroom), Standard Cabins (Ocean View, Twin Single Beds & Private Ensuite Bathroom) Club Cabins (Twin Bunk Beds & Private Ensuite Bathroom) and Budget Cabins (Bunk Beds & Share Facilities). The vessel’s massive dive deck is superbly set up for diving. The vessel’s massive dive deck is superbly set up for diving.

A special bonus with your ‘Fly Dive Cod Hole’ participation is you experience one of the world’s most spectacular low–level reef flights and see stunning views of the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef's most remarkable marine life encounters await you at the Cod Hole, imagine diver size fish that swim with you!

All your dives are at the superior northern reefs between Cooktown and the Cod Hole, beginning at Ribbon Reef #3. This 55 mile (90km) turquoise chain of ribbon reefs is the most prized dive region in the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef. You will see spectacular concentrations of pristine coral and a myriad of brightly colorful tropical fish. The currents that channel between the ribbon reefs attract bigger fish population than elsewhere. You will enjoy exciting night and drift dives with excellent visibility. Our knowledgeable dive crews are often able to show you very rare species like the beautiful leaf scorpion fish and ghost pipefish. The 'Fly Dive Cod Hole' is a photographer's paradise for both macro and wide–angle shots

Spoilsport has been honoured with more excellence awards than any other liveaboard dive vessel in the area. She has received 10 Rodale’s Reader Choice awards including Best Liveaboard Staff, Best Food and Best Value. Spoilsport is very spacious and stable with a very large well–equipped dive deck as well as a very spacious sundeck, al fresco deck and saloon.

• 250 km low level reef flight
• Complimentary Resort Course for non– divers
• Complimentary soft drinks and wine
• Chef prepared meals and in–between meal snacks
• Twin or double cabins most with ocean views
• Daily cabin service with chocolate on pillow
• Warm towels after each dive
• Photo Service
• Dive Service

The ‘Fly Dive Cod Hole’ itinerary provides more diving and more relaxed diving. Quickly you will notice there is no rush or limit placed on your dive time. Vessel movement between dive sites is limited to a maximum 75 minutes per day. At sites like Challenger Bay, some photographers do 2–hour dives to capture special fish behavior photographs.

The ‘Fly Dive Cod Hole’ itinerary halves your sea travel by 250 kilometers or 12 hours. This reduces fatigue levels for guests and crew to ensure the most relaxed holiday. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions exclusively uses custom–designed twin–hulled catamaran liveaboards to provide the best combination of stability and spaciousness; further comfort is gained by Spoilsport cruising within the sheltered waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

The new exciting low–level 250km Great Barrier Reef ‘Fly Dive Cod Hole’ flight path is designed to maximize your appreciation of the Northern Section of the Great Barrier Reef marine park. You will be provided with detailed flight maps so you can anticipate the flight highlights. Half of the flight is just 180 meters (600ft) above our dive sites. You also have very close views of Endeavor Reef where Captain Cook ran aground, the Emily Reef wreck and Lizard Island. Keen observers are often rewarded with sightings of Minke whales (May –Aug), dugongs, rays, turtles and sharks.

In the footsteps of Captain Cook you fly to or from Lizard Island, to the reef's most exclusive island resort. The famous English navigator James Cook climbed to its summit in 1770 to find the way out of the labyrinth of reefs.

At that time, naturalist Joseph Banks was to lament in his journal that he had too little time to study the wealth of strange creatures he saw in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

You benefit from the industries best trained and qualified staff. Most guests improve their dive skills during the expedition. 6 of the 11–person crew are divemasters or instructors. The ‘Trip Director’ is specifically tasked to ensure you have great diving and a great time. Complimentary orientation dives are provided to advance the skills of novice divers. Most guests prefer to plan and dive independently with their buddy.

It is not a policy for all dives to be divemaster led. Guests who prefer more supervision are offered a combination of: complimentary orientation dives to enhance skills; a scheduled morning and afternoon guided dive and the opportunity to dive with the crew on an ad hoc basis.

• Monday by 7:00am, Cairns Colonial Club Cairns. Transfer to Cairns Airport
• Spectacular low level 150 mile reef flight to Lizard Island to board Spoilsport
• Commence diving approximately 12:30pm
• Explore the rarely dived Cod Wall at the outer reef edge that disappears into 60 meters (200ft)
• Glide back towards the Cod Hole while enjoying the clear water and spectacular coral formations
• Shallow but fantastic, Challenger Bay is extremely rich in biodiversity from spectacular coral gardens and unusual critters through to large schooling fish. Great night dive location watch out for Baza the Barra!

• Circumnavigate Pixie Pinnacle and Lighthouse Bommie shrouded in fusilier baitfish. Fluorescent purple and orange anthias attract predatory fish to these photogenic sites. Majestic Minke whales are seen here in June and July
• Rising from 80 meters the pinnacle of Andy’s Postcard is encrusted in had corals, lion fish, nudibranchs, octopus, schooling trevally and barracuda
• See spectacular giant clams at Clam Beds as well as caves, canyons and coral encrusted bommies awaiting exploration
• Sheer walls covered in whip corals and sea fans brim the natural amphitheatre of Vertical Gardens. Marine life varies from the many colourful nudibranchs to large schooling bump head parrotfish

• Spiral majestic coral pinnacles teeming with marine life
• See huge schools of baitfish stalked by barracuda, mackerel and trevally
• Anticipate spectacular coral gardens, spotted rays, reef sharks and green turtle sightings

• Early morning docking, breakfast, 8:00am courtesy transfers to Cairns city hotels

• This itinerary has been designed to include the ‘prime’ Ribbon Reef and Coral Sea dive sites
• If weather forces an itinerary change our surety of access to the prime Ribbon Reef sites is your guarantee of the best diving

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

• Premium Cabin AU$2780.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax
• Standard Cabin AU$2539.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax
• Club Cabin AU$2249.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax
• Budget Cabin AU$1939.00  + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax 

• Premium Cabins Ocean Views with Double Bed & Private Ensuite Bathroom
• Standard Cabins Ocean Views with Twin Single Beds & Private Ensuite Bathroom
• Club Cabins Twin Bunk Beds & Private Ensuite Bathroom
• Budget Cabins Bunk Beds & Share Bathroom Facilities

• Reg, Ocy, Gauges AU$15.00 per day
• BCD AU$10.00 per day
• Computer AU$12.00 per day
• Snorkel Gear AU$5.00 per day
• Light/Torch AU$10.00 per day
• Wetsuit AU$10.00 per day
• All of the above - Full Gear Hire AU$44.00 per day

• BCD Aqualung Wave x 5 sizes.
• Fins Technisub Stratos (full foot) x 6 sizes.
• Wetsuits 5mm long sleeve short leg x 5 male + x 5 female sizes. Includes 3mm hood.

Please Note: Fitting extra small and extra large people can be difficult. Please bring your own equipment if concerned about fit.

• Nitrox EAN AU$75.00
• 6cf Pony Bottle + reg AU$15.00 per day 
• Fuel Levy* AU$0.00 per night * Subject to change*
• Personal Dive Guides AU$350.00 per day (+ berth cost for guide) or AU$50.00 per dive
• Government Reef Tax AU$19.50 per trip

• Dive Referral (PADI or SSI) AU$245.00
• PADI Scuba Dive Upgrade AU$350
• PADI Advanced Diver AU$250.00
• PADI Nitrox AU$300.00 or AU$200.00 Referral
• PADI Discover Scuba (Resort Dive) 1 Free Dive per day 
• PADI Underwater Photography AU$250.00
• PADI Underwater Naturalist AU$220.00
• Self-Reliant Diver AU$275.00

• Canon GX7 MK2 AU$50.00 per day
• USB Stick - 8GB AU$12.00 
• USB Stick - 32GB AU$25.00 

• Standard Holiday Trip – DVD AU$70.00
• Purchase of Second DVD AU$35.00
• Personalized Holiday Trip – DVD AU$250.00
• Personal Holiday Photographs AU$100.00
• Photo CD AU$50.00
• Purchase of second photo CD AU$25.00

• Non Divers 10%
• Non Diving Child (8–15 years) 25%

Minke Whale Excursions – Fly / Dive Cod Hole – 3 Nights / 3 Dive Days up to 9 dives includedThese specialized Minke Whale expeditions are incorporated into the standard itinerary shown above. The focus is snorkelling and diving amongst these majestic creatures during this period of high aggregation. Your second day is entirely devoted to locating Minke Whales and Snorkelling with them in the water.

Monday by 7:00am, Cairns Colonial Club Cairns. Transfer to Cairns Airport. Spectacular low level 150 mile reef flight to Lizard Island to board Spoilsport. Commence diving approximately 12:30pm. Explore the rarely dived Cod Wall at the outer reef edge that disappears into 60 meters (200ft). Glide back towards the Cod Hole while enjoying the clear water and spectacular coral formations. Shallow but fantastic, Challenger Bay is extremely rich in biodiversity from spectacular coral gardens and unusual critters through to large schooling fish. Great night dive location, watch out for Baza the Barra!

Circumnavigate Pixie Pinnacle and Lighthouse Bommie shrouded in fusilier baitfish. Fluorescent purple and orange anthias attract predatory fish to these photogenic sites. Majestic minke whales are seen here in June and July. Rising from 80 meters the pinnacle of Andy’s Postcard is encrusted in hard corals, lion fish, nudibranchs, octopus, schooling trevally and barracuda. See spectacular giant clams at Clam Beds as well as caves, canyons and coral encrusted bommies awaiting exploration. Sheer walls covered in whip corals and sea fans brim the natural amphitheatre of Vertical Gardens. Marine life varies from the many colourful nudibranchs to large schooling bump head parrotfish.

Spiral majestic coral pinnacles teeming with marine life. See huge schools of baitfish stalked by barracuda, mackerel and trevally. Anticipate spectacular coral gardens, spotted rays, reef sharks and green turtle sightings.

Early morning docking at Trinity Wharf – Cairns, breakfast, 8:00am courtesy transfers to Cairns city hotels.

This itinerary has been designed to include the ‘prime’ Ribbon Reef dive sites.

If weather forces an itinerary change our surety of access to the prime Ribbon Reef sites is your guarantee of the best possible diving.

Spoilsport’s outstanding stability minimises disruption to your itinerary and your diving experience. Note: Itinerary subject to change
 

• 11th of June 2018
• 18th of June 2018
• 25th of June 2018
• 2nd of July 2018
• 9th of July 2018

• 10th of June 2019
• 17th of June 2019
• 24th of June 2019
• 1st of July 2019
• 8th of July 2019

• Premium Cabin AU$2850.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax 
• Standard Cabin AU$2602.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax 
• Club Cabin AU$2305.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax 
• Budget Cabin AU$1987.00 + AU$19.50 per person Government Reef Tax