7 Night Cod Hole & Coral Sea Trip

Trip Overview

For the diver who wants to see it all, Spirit of Freedom’s 7-night dive liveaboard trip combines the 3 Night Cod Hole/Ribbon Reef and 4 Night Coral Sea trips into one of the world’s most epic liveaboard dive boat adventures.

Stepping aboard the sleek and spacious ‘Spirit of Freedom’, your Great Barrier Reef dive liveaboard expedition begins with a 240km journey through the rarely visited Ribbon Reefs, to the famous Cod Hole dive site.

Trip Details:

• Departs: Cairns, 12:00 PM Thursday

• Returns: Cairns, 8:00 AM Thursday

• Total Dives: 26 dives, including two night dives

• Recommended Dive Level: Recommended to Advanced divers  (minimum 20 ocean dives, including 5 in the last 12 months

Itinerary

Day 1: Departure & First Dives

• Pickup from your Cairns hotel and transfer to Trinity Wharf, where you’ll board Spirit of Freedom and meet the crew.
• Depart for your 3-night liveaboard adventure with an orientation and lunch on board.
• Cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight dive.
• Enjoy dinner as we set course for the Ribbon Reefs overnight.

Days 2 & 3: Exploring the Ribbon Reefs

• Spend two full days diving along Ribbon Reefs #3 to #10.
• Experience 4 to 5 dives per day, including a night dive on Friday.
• Visit world-class sites such as Cod Hole, home to massive and friendly Potato Cod.
• Explore other stunning locations like Wonder Wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and Snake Pit.
• If conditions allow, drift dive through Dynamite Pass, a well-known shark corridor.
• Saturday evening: Arrive at Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.

Day 4: Lizard Island & Diving at Ribbon Reef Number 10

• Morning – Ashore at Lizard Island: After breakfast, enjoy a chance to stretch your legs on Lizard Island. We recommend a guided walk from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s Cottage and over Chinaman’s Ridge for stunning views.

• Late Morning – Cruise to Ribbon Reef Number 10: At around 11:00 AM, we cruise to Ribbon Reef Number 10 for two dives, with options including:

  • Snake Pit

  • Cod Hole

  • Challenger Bay

  • Lighthouse Bommie

  • Pixie Wall

  • Pixie Pinnacle

  If conditions allow, we may revisit the Cod Hole or explore new sites.

• Evening Departure: In the evening, we depart for a 10-hour crossing back to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

Day 5 & 6: 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 7: 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.

Final day: 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.

Pricing Table

7 Night Cod Hole & Coral Sea Trip Prices
Option	Cost	Specials
Ocean View Cabin	$6,650	$6,250
Stateroom Cabin	$5,850	$5,450
Double/Twin Cabin	$5,050	$4,650
Quad Share Cabin	$4,250	$3,850
Rates valid up to 31st March 2025 – Rates per person – Summer Specials available for trips for travel up to the 30th April 2025.

7 Night Cod Hole & Coral Sea Trip Prices
Option	Cost
Ocean View Cabin	$7,105
Stateroom Cabin	$6,260
Double/Twin Cabin	$5,305
Quad Share Cabin	$4,549
Rates valid from May 1st 2025 – Rates per person – Snorkeller Price ($200 Discount on Cabin Price listed)