Mike Ball dive holiday - underwater image of school of reef sharks Mike Ball dive holiday - underwater image of school of reef sharks
Mike Ball dive holiday - underwater image of a shoal of fish Mike Ball dive holiday - underwater image of a shoal of fish
Whitsundays diving and snorkelling trip - spectacular coral formation Whitsundays diving and snorkelling trip - spectacular coral formation
Shark Feeds in Coral Sea Shark Feeds in Coral Sea
Potato Cod, Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs Potato Cod, Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs

Spoilsport – Liveaboard Dive Expeditions

from $2250 AUD
Cairns and Great Barrier ReefScuba Dive CairnsSwim with Minke Whale Trips on the Great Barrier ReefLiveaboard Diving on the Coral SeaLiveaboard Diving on the Ribbon ReefsLiveaboards
Book now
Make Enquiry

Liveaboard Dive Expeditions

About your Diving Expeditions on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea aboard Spoilsport

Discover World Class Scuba Diving

Expeditions aboard Spoilsport offers thrilling trips from Cairns to the best dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Explore the vibrant marine life of the northern reef, including the famous Cod Hole, or venture into the remote Coral Sea for big fish action, shark encounters, and crystal-clear visibility.

Australia’s Most Awarded Liveaboard

MV Spoilsport is custom-built for diving with a twin-hull design for maximum space, stability, and comfort. Our unique ‘open dive deck’ policy gives divers the freedom to explore with no bottom time limits.

Take Your Diving to the Next Level

A variety of PADI courses are available onboard to give you the opportunity for you to advance your diving skills onboard including:

  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Deep Diver *
  • Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)
  • Self-Reliant Diver *
  • Underwater Naturalist *
  • Digital Underwater Photography *

Courses marked with (*) are subject to availability onboard.

Dive Australia's Coral Sea - Shark feed
+
Australia's Coral Sea Reefs
+
Coral Sea corals
+
Potato Cod, Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs
+
Photo Credit: Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Diving Freedom

Safety protocols with on Spoilsport accommodate divers of all experience levels, offering guided support for those who need it and greater independence for those who don’t. With the ‘open dive deck’ and solo diving policies, there are no bottom time restrictions. During ‘open dive deck’ sessions, divers have the freedom to choose when and how long they dive, ensuring a relaxed and flexible experience.

Available Expeditions

3 Nights  – Fly Dive Cod Hole

4 Nights – Fly Dive Coral Sea

5 Nights – Coral Sea & Cod Hole Expedition

5 Nights – GBR & Ribbon Reefs Expedition

7 Nights – Coral Sea Safari

7 Nights – Coral Sea Exploratory

3,  4, & 7 Night – Minke Whale and Diving Expeditions (June/July)

7 Night Far North Coral Sea Exploratory
+
Spoilsport Premium Cabin
+
Spoilsport - Standard Twin Cabin with Ocean View
+
Mike Ball Budget Cabin
+
Photo Credit: Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Cabin Specifications

Premium Cabin

All premium cabins have an ocean view and an ensuite bathroom.

Standard Cabin

All standard cabins have a single bed configuration on same level, ensuite bathrooms and ocean views.

Club Cabin

All Club cabins have a bunkbed configuration and ensuite bathrooms, without ocean views.

Budget Cabin

Budget cabins have a bunkbed configuration, without ensuite bathrooms and without ocean views.

Number of Passengers

29 Maximum

What to bring
  • Swimming costume.
  • Hat/Sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen, T-Shirt & shorts.
  • Water bottle & dive deck towel.
  • Light sweater and pants for the evenings.
  • Bright “loud” shirt/ dress for the BBQ party night.
  • No additional shoes/ sandals required – bare feet recommended onboard.
  • Travel size Toiletries (combined body wash/ shampoo onboard) Hair dryer.
  • Sea Sickness medication if required.
  • Personal medications.

 

 

Inclusions

  • Accommodation in twin/double cabins
  • Delicious meals & snacks, wine and soft drink are included with the evening meal
  • Tanks, air fills and weight belt
  • Daily cabin service
  • Reef ecology programme
  • Dive computer workshop
  • Transfer to the airport or Cairns hotel after your expedition

Optional Extras

  • Environmental Management Charge $8 per day
  • Dive courses
  • Photo services
  • Gear hire
  • Extra onboard purchases
Book now

Pricing Tables

Fly Dive Cod Hole - 3 Nights from April 2025 to March 2026
Option Cost
Premium $3,404.00
Standard $3,111.00
Club $2,761.00
Budget $2,385.00
Up to 12 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person
Fly Dive Coral Sea - 4 Nights from April 2025 to March 2026
Option Cost
Premium $3,757.00
Standard $3,430.00
Club $3,100.00
Budget $2,700.00
Up to 14 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person
Coral Sea & Cod Hole Expedition - 5 Nights from April 2025 to March 2026
Option Cost
Premium $4,778.00
Standard $4,388.00
Club $3,833.00
Budget $3,267.00
Up to 18 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person
GBR & Ribbon Reefs Expedition - 5 Night from April 2025 to March 2026
Option Cost
Premium $4,778.00
Standard $4,388.00
Club $3,833.00
Budget $3,267.00
Up to 18 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person
Coral Sea Safari - 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
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
Minke Whale Expedition - 3 Night Fly Dive (June/July 2025)
Option Cost
Premium $3,452.00
Standard $3,155.00
Club $2,800.00
Budget $2,419.00
Up to 10 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person
Minke Whale Expedition - 4 Night Fly Dive (June/July 2025)
Option Cost
Premium $3,811.00
Standard $3,479.00
Club $3,144.00
Budget $2,738.00
Up to 12 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person
Ultimate Minke Whale Expedition - 7 Night (June/July 2025)
Option Cost
Premium $6,847.00
Standard $6,289.00
Club $5,495.00
Budget $4,682.00
Up to 22 Dives, Environmental Management Fee $8.00/day, All prices per person

Full Itinerary

Cancellation Policy

1.8% Bank charge for CC purchase transaction is deducted from the refund amount.
Cooling off period: Less than 24hrs after deposit, 0% forfeit of trip fee.

More than 60 days prior to departure: Deposit refundable, less 1.8% credit card transaction fee.
Between 60 – 30 days prior to departure: Deposit not refundable. Credit valid for 2 years.
Within 30 days of departure: 100% forfeit. Credits only offered for cancellations directly resulting from a pandemic;
relevant documentation required.

FAQ

What happens if I have symptoms of COVID just before departure? Any guest with symptoms of respiratory illness in the 5 days leading into your expedition should undertake appropriate testing. Any guest who tests positive must not undertake travel. Please get in touch with our reservations team for assistance. (See Booking Conditions below.) What if I test positive for COVID onboard? We encourage safe practices of hand sanitisation and physical distancing throughout your voyage. Any symptomatic guests are encouraged to wear masks and practice physical distancing around the vessel. We understand that a positive result is both disappointing and inconvenient, however the health and safety of all concerned is extremely important. We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance that covers covid-related issues at least 21 days prior to travel. These should include but not limited to, protection against evacuation from vessel, relocation, hotel/accommodation isolation, flight cancellation and or changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
I understand if I have any medical condition contrary to safe diving I will not be permitted to dive unless I produce a diving medical certificate from a Physician that addresses my medical condition. In addition, I will not dive on your expedition if I am feeling unwell or I have a chest cold or respiratory congestion. You are authorized to make medical and transport arrangements as may be determined in my best interest. I agree to pay expenses incurred on my behalf which may be charged against my credit card.
In most countries Australian visas are available electronically online or via your travel agent. You will require a current passport, with no less than six months validity from your return date, and tickets to an onward destination. Note: Russian passengers should contact us for Visa Support.
Currency used is the Australian Dollar. Visa, MasterCard and Amex are widely accepted.
You will need to make your own way to the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office for check in for your expedition. After your expedition we will transfer you to either our office, airport or any inner city hotel. Inner city boundaries are within the airport to the north and Earlville shopping centre to the south.
Insurance should be taken to cover: weather problem; expedition cancellations; airline difficulties; medical problems and lost or damaged luggage. Unforeseen weather or machinery problems may cause us to cancel or change an itinerary. No refund is offered for time lost due to the medical evacuation of a guest or reduction of dives due to weather conditions. No compensation is offered to guests to change flights or holiday plans. DiveAssure offers cover for both Australian residents & non-residents traveling to Australia. Asia Pacific residents are eligible for DAN AP membership. Join DAN Asia-Pacific TODAY.
The minimum age for diving is 12 years old (10-12 year old Jr Open Water certified divers – considered, on application) Parents or guardians traveling with children are responsible for child minding, and children less than 12 years of age cannot be left alone.
Spoilsport was not designed to cater for divers with severe disabilities. Please see “Dive Procedures Disabled Divers” for full details.
Unfortunately, we only have English speaking staff. Divers must have a good grasp of English to understand our vessel and dive safety briefings. Divers with poor English language skills may have to miss some dives.
A variety of jellyfish inhabit the Great Barrier Reef. The majority of jellyfish stings are irritable to painful. The box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) can be present in inshore waters and estuaries in North Queensland from November to May and their sting can be fatal in extreme cases. Fortunately these are not seen at the outer reefs we frequent.
When purchasing sunscreen, review the ingredient list to make sure reef-damaging substances (such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate and 4-methylbenzylidine camphor, all of which have been shown to cause coral bleaching even at low levels) aren’t included. We have marine-friendly sunscreen for purchase onboard.
Meals: Three chef prepared meals are provided daily, click here. Please ensure you advise reservations at time of booking for any special dietary requirements. A variety of beverages are served at mealtimes; complimentary wine or soft drink served with dinner. Other: Morning & afternoon tea provided between meals pending planned days schedule; complimentary tea, coffee, fruit & biscuits are available 24hrs. You are welcome to bring your own ‘nonperishable’ snacks onboard; no access available for heating/cooking/refrigeration. Beverage (Ships Bar Policy): Beer, wine, spirits & soft drink available for purchase over the bar. Please DO NOT bring alcohol onboard; for any ‘special request’ orders brought or purchased by us, must/will be surrendered to bar, and charged back at equivalent bar list prices, click here.
You can settle your onboard expenses via credit card. NB: 4 night Fly Dive Coral Sea guests’ credit cards are processed via the MBDE office owing to remote location.
Within Australia’s hospitality services, tipping is reserved for those that provide exceptional personal service. As an indicator, for excellent restaurant service, tips of up to 10% is quite common and 5% in taxis. You should expect exceptional service from Spoilsport’s crew, day and night. At the end of the expedition, a ‘tip box’ is made available for a cash tip (any currency), or you can simply add a tip to your credit card whilst paying for any onboard costs incurred. Tips are welcome and distributed evenly amongst crew; please use your discretion and only tip with what you feel comfortable.
Wi-Fi – Please be advised we DO NOT have Wi-Fi onboard, allowing you to interact with other guests and maximise your holiday experience. Whilst at sea or on Lizard Island, there is no reliable phone reception available.
Make enquiry

Need help planning your Australian diving holiday?

Planning your Australian dive holiday and feeling unsure where to begin? Reach out to us! Our knowledge and services encompass a wide array of Australia’s most sought-after scuba diving destinations and marine encounters. Whether you’re interested in dive courses, liveaboard expeditions, or day tours, we’ve got you covered. We’re your go-to experts for personalised dive travel in Australia!

Unique to Dive in Australia is the ability to book many of the featured trips and dive courses live on the website. Where you see the “INSTANT BOOK” tab, you can search availability using the CHECK AVAILABILITY tab.

Dive in Australia
Dive Travel Specialist!

0499 464 007 Email us

https://www.australia.com/
https://world.dan.org