Trip Overview

This expedition offers an unparalleled mix of world-class diving experiences, from thrilling shark encounters to breathtaking coral formations. During the seasonal months of June and July, dedicated time is set aside to locate and swim with majestic minke whales. The adventure continues with dramatic wall dives in the Coral Sea, where crystal-clear waters reveal sheer drop-offs teeming with life. Holmes Reef, a remote twin-reef system 240 km east of Cairns, offers pristine and adventurous diving, while Bougainville Reef presents a labyrinth of caves and caverns known as Dungeons & Dragons, along with the impressive giant potato cod at Crystal Plateau.

The excitement builds at Osprey Reef with a heart-pounding shark dive at North Horn, before moving on to the nutrient-rich waters of the Continental Shelf, located 100 miles north of Cairns. Here, currents bring an incredible variety of marine life. A visit to the famous Cod Hole offers an unforgettable chance to swim alongside diver-sized potato cod, while the Ribbon Reefs showcase an extraordinary diversity of fish and coral. Iconic dive sites such as Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Coral Kingdom, Flare Point, Blue Lagoon, Gotham City, and Vertical Gardens provide an ever-changing underwater landscape filled with vibrant marine life. Rounding out the journey is Steve’s Bommie, a must-see dive site renowned for its rich biodiversity, from fascinating macro critters to large pelagic species.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary (Subject to change based on conditions)

Thursday:
Check-in at our office (3 Abbott St, Cairns) between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.
From 4:30 pm: Make your own way to meet your fellow passengers. The meeting point for boarding is at 5:30 pm, with further details provided at check-in. Please note that dinner is not included on the first evening, so you may wish to eat before boarding.
5:50 pm: Our crew will escort you to board Spoilsport. Enjoy a welcome glass of champagne and light snacks while your Trip Director provides a full briefing.
6:00 pm: Spoilsport departs Cairns. Take this time to organize any rental equipment and set up your dive gear on the dive deck.

Friday: (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
This is a sample of a ‘typical day,’ though exact times may vary to optimize conditions.

• 6:30 am: Wake-up call, light breakfast available in the dining room
• 7:00 am: Dive briefing & first dive of the day
• 9:00 am: Full cooked breakfast
• 10:30 am: Dive briefing & second dive. Open decks accommodate 1-2 dives in the morning or afternoon
• 2:00 pm: Lunch
• 3:30 pm: Dive briefing & third dive
• 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
• 6:30 pm: Night dive briefing & dive
• 8:00 pm: Dinner

Saturday – Tuesday: (Up to 4 dives + night dive per day)
The schedule follows the same format as above, ensuring ample opportunities to explore the incredible dive sites along the itinerary.

Wednesday: (Up to 4 dives)
As per the daily schedule, with the final dive exiting by 5:00 pm. As the sun sets, celebrate with a glass of champagne and nibbles, followed by a farewell party with music and festivities.

Overnight cruise to Cairns.

Thursday:

• 7:00 am: Light breakfast
• 8:00 am: Disembark with a courtesy transfer to Cairns inner-city hotels, the airport, or our office, where luggage storage is available until 4:00 pm for those with later flights.

Important:
We recommend allowing a minimum of 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving concludes by 4:00 pm Wednesday).

Pricing Table

Coral Sea Exploratory – 7 Night from April 2025 to March 2026
Option	Cost
Premium	$6,688.00
Standard	$6,143.00
Club	$5,367.00
Budget	$4,573.00
Up to 26 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person