A Unique Great Barrier Reef Adventure

Each winter, dwarf minke whales migrate through the Great Barrier Reef, with peak sightings in June and July. This is the only place in the world where you can snorkel and dive with them, and Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is one of the few operators licensed to offer this incredible experience.

Swim with Minkes – Up Close & Personal

Imagine a majestic whale gliding gracefully past as you lock eyes—an awe-inspiring encounter you’ll never forget. Most interactions happen while snorkelling, giving you the best chance for a close-up experience.

Our itineraries adapt to the whales, focusing on areas with high activity while also exploring top dive sites at Ribbon Reef #10. Winter visibility is excellent, making for spectacular diving. A strict code of practice ensures safety for both divers and whales, allowing interactions on the whales’ terms.

Since launching our Minke Whale Expeditions in 1996, we’ve had a 98% success rate, with encounters lasting up to 10 hours and pods as large as 28 whales. If whales aren’t found at our usual sites, we’ll spend up to two hours searching before diving other prime Ribbon Reef locations.

Trip Overview

Fly Dive Minke Whale Expedition – 3 Nights 

Your adventure begins with a stunning 250km scenic flight from Cairns to Lizard Island, offering breathtaking reef views. We then focus on finding and swimming with dwarf minke whales for an unforgettable encounter.

Dive the outer continental shelf, 100 miles north of Cairns, where strong currents attract abundant marine life. Explore the vibrant Ribbon Reefs, including the famous Cod Hole with its massive potato cod, and top sites like Dynamite Pass, Pixie Pinnacle, and Gotham City. A highlight is Steve’s Bommie, teeming with fascinating marine creatures, making every dive a spectacular experience.

Sample Itinerary (subject to change based on conditions)

Monday – 3 Dives

• 6:30–7:00 am – Check-in at our office (3 Abbott St, Cairns)
• 7:15 am – Transfer to Cairns Airport
• 8:00 am – Scenic flight to Lizard Island (~1 hour)
• Mid-morning – Board Spoilsport, welcome briefing, drinks & snacks
• 12:45 pm – First dive
• 2:00 pm – Lunch
• 3:45 pm – Second dive
• 4:45 pm – Afternoon tea
• 6:00 pm – Night dive
• 8:00 pm – Dinner

Tuesday – 4 Dives + Night Dive (Times may vary for best conditions)

• 6:30 am – Wake-up call & light breakfast
• 7:00 am – First dive
• 9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
• 10:30 am – Morning dives (1-2 dives, open deck)
• 2:00 pm – Lunch
• 3:30 pm – Afternoon dive
• 4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
• 6:30 pm – Night dive
• 8:00 pm – Dinner

Wednesday – 4 Dives & BBQ Party

• Same schedule as Tuesday, with the last dive exiting at 5:00 pm
• Sunset – Champagne, snacks & Aussie BBQ party—wear your loudest tropical outfit!
• Spoilsport cruises back to Cairns overnight

Thursday – Return to Cairns

• 7:00 am – Light breakfast
• 8:00 am – Disembark, courtesy transfers to hotels, airport, or our office (luggage storage available until 4:00 pm)

Important Notes:

• Flying after diving: Allow 24 hours before your onward flight (last dive finishes at 4:00 pm Wednesday).
• Luggage allowance for Cairns–Lizard Island flight:
  • 25kg (55lb) + 3kg (6.5lb) carry-on
  • Extra 10kg (22lb) for professional photo/video gear

Pricing Table

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

Fly Dive Minke Whale Expedition – 4 Nights 

Your adventure begins with dedicated time to find and swim with the incredible dwarf minke whales, offering an unforgettable close-up encounter. Diving 100 miles north of Cairns on the edge of the continental shelf provides thrilling drift dives in nutrient-rich currents, attracting abundant marine life. The Ribbon Reefs boast exceptional fish and coral diversity, with world-class dive sites, including the famous Cod Hole, where massive potato cod swim alongside divers. Other spectacular sites like Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Coral Kingdom, Flare Point, Blue Lagoon, Gotham City, and Vertical Gardens offer unique underwater landscapes and marine encounters. The journey concludes with a breathtaking 250km scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns to Lizard Island, a stunning finale to an extraordinary expedition.

Sample Itinerary (subject to change based on conditions)

Thursday – Boarding & Departure

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 boarding meeting point is at 5:30 pm, with details provided at check-in. Dinner is not provided on the first evening, so we recommend eating before boarding.

At 5:50 pm, our crew will escort you to Spoilsport, where you’ll enjoy a welcome glass of champagne and light snacks while your Trip Director gives a full briefing. At 6:00 pm, Spoilsport departs Cairns. Use this time to set up rental equipment and prepare your dive gear on the dive deck.

Friday & Saturday – 4 Dives + Night Dive (Times may vary for optimal conditions)

• 6:30 am – Wake-up call & light breakfast
• 7:00 am – Dive briefing & first dive
• 9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
• 10:30 am – Morning dives (open decks allow 1–2 dives, AM or PM)
• 2:00 pm – Lunch
• 3:30 pm – Afternoon dive
• 4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
• 6:30 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
• 8:00 pm – Dinner

Sunday – 4 Dives & BBQ Party

• Same schedule as Friday and Saturday, with the last dive exiting by 5:00 pm.
• Sunset – Celebrate with champagne, nibbles, and an Aussie BBQ party. Wear your loudest tropical outfit and enjoy live music from our talented crew.
• Moor overnight off Lizard Island.

Monday – Return to Cairns

• 7:00 am – Light breakfast
• 8:00 am – Disembark Spoilsport, with a short walk to Lizard Island Airport.
• 9:30 am – Scenic low-level flight over the reef back to Cairns (~1 hour).
• 11:45 am – Arrival in Cairns, followed by a courtesy transfer to inner-city hotels, the airport, or our office (luggage storage available until 4:00 pm for later flights).

Important Information

• Flying after diving: Allow 24 hours before your onward flight (all diving finishes by 4:00 pm Sunday).
• Luggage allowance for Cairns–Lizard Island flight:
  • 25kg (55lb) checked baggage + 3kg (6.5lb) carry-on
  • Extra 10kg (22lb) for professional photo/video equipment

Pricing Table

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 Nights 

This itinerary combines the 4-night Fly Dive Minke expedition with the 3-night Fly Dive Minke expedition, creating an extended adventure. Since Spoilsport departs and returns directly to Cairns, there is no flight between Lizard Island and Cairns included in this journey.

The expedition is dedicated to finding and swimming with dwarf minke whales, offering an unparalleled opportunity to encounter these graceful creatures up close. Divers will explore the continental shelf, located 100 miles north of Cairns, where strong currents attract a diverse array of marine life. The journey continues through the Ribbon Reefs, known for their exceptional fish and coral diversity, with highlights including the Cod Hole, where massive potato cod interact with divers, and world-class sites like Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Coral Kingdom, Flare Point, Gotham City, and Vertical Gardens.

A stop at Lizard Island offers a chance to relax on pristine white-sand beaches or take a short hike to Chinaman’s Ridge, where breathtaking views complete this unforgettable experience.

Sample Itinerary (subject to change based on conditions)

Thursday: Departure

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 boarding meeting point is at 5:30 pm, with details provided at check-in. Please note that dinner is not provided on the first evening, so we recommend eating beforehand.

At 5:50 pm, our crew will lead you from Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf to board Spoilsport. Enjoy a welcome glass of champagne and light snacks as your Trip Director provides a full briefing.
At 6:00 pm, Spoilsport departs Cairns. Take this time to organize rental equipment and set up your dive gear on the deck.

Friday: 4 Dives + Night Dive

This is a sample of a typical day, though exact times may vary based on weather conditions.

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

Saturday: 4 Dives + Night Dive

Itinerary as per Friday.

Sunday: 4 Dives & Lizard Island Mooring

All diving concludes by 5:00 pm. Spoilsport moors off Lizard Island for the evening.

As the sun sets, enjoy champagne, nibbles, and an Aussie BBQ party night. Wear your loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along to music played by our talented crew.

Monday: 2 Dives + Night Dive

• 7:00 am – Light breakfast
• 8:00 am – Farewell to 4-night expedition guests disembarking at Lizard Island
• 8:00 am – 11:00 am – Stay onboard or take a tender to explore Lizard Island’s beaches and walking trails
• 11:00 am – New passengers join Spoilsport, with champagne and light snacks provided
• 12:45 pm – Dive briefing & first dive
• 2:00 pm – Lunch
• 3:45 pm – Dive briefing & second dive
• 4:45 pm – Afternoon tea
• 6:00 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
• 8:00 pm – Dinner

Tuesday: 4 Dives + Night Dive

As per Friday’s schedule.

Wednesday: 4 Dives & Farewell Party

All diving concludes by 5:00 pm. As the sun sets, we celebrate with a final farewell party before an overnight cruise back to Cairns.

Thursday: Disembarkation

• 7:00 am – Light breakfast
• 8:00 am – Disembark with courtesy transfers available to Cairns inner-city hotels, the airport, or our office (luggage storage available until 4:00 pm for late flights).

Important Information

• We recommend a 24-hour surface interval between your last dive and any onward flights (all diving finishes by 4:00 pm Wednesday).
• Luggage allowance for the flight to Lizard Island:
  • 25 kg (55 lbs) per person + 3 kg (6.5 lbs) carry-on
  • An additional 10 kg (22 lbs) allowance is permitted for professional photo/video equipment.

Pricing Table

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