Trip Overview

This four-day Coral Sea adventure aboard Spirit of Freedom begins Sunday morning with a scenic 200km flight from Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef to Lizard Island (Jiigurru). Upon landing, you will be welcomed aboard as your liveaboard dive trip begins.

On your first day, you will dive at the northern Ribbon Reefs, before embarking on an overnight 100km voyage to the world-famous Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Isolated 220km offshore, this volcanic atoll offers some of the world’s best diving, with sheer 1,000m walls, vibrant soft corals, thrilling shark action, and unmatched visibility.

For two days, you will explore Osprey’s spectacular dive sites, including North Horn, where grey reef sharks, Silvertips, and the occasional oceanic predator congregate in a natural amphitheatre, providing an unforgettable shark encounter.

Your final day will be spent diving Ribbon Reef #3 or, weather permitting, Bougainville Reef, before an overnight journey back to Cairns, arriving early Thursday morning.

For an extended adventure, you can join the 7-night liveaboard trip, which includes three extra days diving the Ribbon Reefs.

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Trip Details:

• Departs: Cairns, 8:30 AM Sunday

• Returns: Cairns, 8:00 AM Thursday

• Total Dives: 15 dives, including one night dive

• Recommended Dive Level: Open Water to Experienced Divers (minimum 10 ocean dives, including 5 in the last 12 months)

Special Expeditions: In June/July, this liveaboard dive trip regularly encounters Dwarf Minke Whales.

For longer duration trips, check out the 7-night liveaboard dive expedition

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairns to Lizard Island – Liveaboard Dive Adventure

• 7:00 AM: Start your adventure with a courtesy coach transfer from your Cairns hotel to Hinterland Aviation at Cairns General Aviation Airport.
• Scenic Flight: Board a light aircraft for a breathtaking scenic flight along the coast to Lizard Island, the gateway to your 4-night liveaboard dive trip.
• Arrival at Lizard Island: Upon arrival, the Spirit of Freedom crew will greet you and escort you to the vessel via tender.
• Onboard Orientation: After a brief orientation of the vessel and a warm welcome from the crew, you’ll set sail for the famous Ribbon Reef Number 9 & 10.
• Afternoon Diving: This afternoon, you’ll dive at your choice of some of the best dive sites in the area, including: Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Gardens, Pixie Pinnacle and experience the incredible underwater biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Evening Departure: As the sun sets, we depart for a 10-hour journey to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, known for its stunning drop-offs and vibrant marine life.

Day 2 & 3: Osprey Reef Dive Adventure

• Two Full Days of Diving at Osprey Reef: Spend two incredible days diving at Osprey Reef, one of the most renowned dive sites in Australia’s Coral Sea. Known for its crystal-clear waters, visibility can range from 30 to 100 metres, offering stunning views of the underwater landscape.

  • Diving Highlights: Explore dramatic landscapes of sheer walls, vibrant gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, all rising from the ocean floor thousands of feet below. This is truly a diver’s paradise!

  • North Horn: At the tip of Osprey Reef, North Horn is a highlight dive site where you may encounter grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and even the occasional oceanic whitetip shark. The Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive gives you the chance for an unforgettable close encounter with these magnificent creatures.

  • Dives Available: Enjoy up to four to five dives each day, including an exciting night dive on Monday, giving you the opportunity to witness the reef’s nocturnal wonders.

• Evening of Day 3 (Tuesday): After an action-packed two days of diving, we will begin our overnight journey from Osprey Reef to the Ribbon Reefs, where new diving adventures await.

Day 4: Diving at Ribbon Reef Number 3 and Bougainville Reef (Optional)

• Morning and Afternoon Diving at Ribbon Reef Number 3: Start the day with exhilarating dives at some of Ribbon Reef Number 3’s most sensational sites:

  • Steve’s Bommie: Famous for its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life, this site promises unforgettable underwater encounters.

  • Temple of Doom: A thrilling dive with an incredible range of marine species, offering an unforgettable experience.

  • Flare Point: A beautiful and diverse dive site, home to a variety of reef creatures and impressive coral structures.

• Optional Dive at Bougainville Reef (Weather Permitting): In special weather conditions, we may head south to Bougainville Reef, renowned for its unusual underwater landscape and captivating caverns. The reef is also home to a partially submerged wreck, adding an adventurous twist to your diving experience.

• Evening: As the sun sets, we begin our journey back to Cairns, cruising overnight after an action-packed day of diving.

Day 5: Return to Cairns

• 6:30 AM – Arrival in Cairns: After an unforgettable dive adventure, we return to Cairns early in the morning.

• Onboard Breakfast: Enjoy a light breakfast onboard as you reflect on the incredible experiences and dives from the past few days.

• Group Photo Opportunity: Capture the memories of your adventure with a group photo, commemorating the friendships made and the breathtaking moments shared underwater.

• 8:00 AM – Hotel Drop-off: After breakfast and the photo session, you will be dropped back at your Cairns hotel, marking the end of your 4-night liveaboard dive trip, leaving you with memories to cherish forever.

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Pricing Table