Spirit of Freedom

Spirit of Freedom is a Cairns-based liveaboard dive operator offering multi-night expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef and remote Coral Sea. Guests stay aboard the vessel and explore some of Australia's most spectacular scuba diving locations.

The main itineraries include a three-night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs trip, a four-night Coral Sea and Ribbon Reefs expedition, and a seven-night trip combining both regions. Other specialist expeditions may also be offered.

Trips depart from Cairns, Queensland. Depending on the itinerary, guests may travel by boat from Cairns or take a scenic flight to Lizard Island before boarding the vessel. Check your specific trip details for departure arrangements.

The Cod Hole is a world-famous dive site on the northern Great Barrier Reef, renowned for its large potato cod, colourful tropical fish and spectacular coral formations. It is a major highlight of Spirit of Freedom's Ribbon Reefs itineraries.

The number of dives depends on your itinerary. The three-night trip offers up to 11 dives, the four-night trip up to 15 dives, and the seven-night trip up to 26 dives. These totals include night dives, and actual opportunities depend on conditions and operational requirements.

Yes, guests must meet the minimum diving experience requirements for their selected itinerary. The Ribbon Reefs trip recommends Open Water certification and at least 10 ocean dives, including five within the past 12 months. The Coral Sea trip recommends Advanced Open Water certification and at least 20 ocean dives, including five within the past 12 months.

Yes, non-divers can join selected itineraries, particularly the Ribbon Reefs trip, where shallow coral gardens provide snorkelling opportunities. Non-divers can also relax onboard and enjoy the scenery. The exposed Coral Sea reefs are not recommended for snorkellers, and snorkel guides are not provided.

The vessel offers several cabin categories, including Ocean View Deluxe, Ocean View Standard, double or twin-share cabins, quad-share cabins and a stateroom. Cabins are air-conditioned, and accommodation features vary by category.

Basic equipment such as tanks, air fills, weights and weight belts is included. Masks, snorkels, fins and boots are also provided. Additional equipment, such as a buoyancy compensator, regulator, wetsuit and dive computer, can be hired. Every diver must use a dive computer.

Yes. Cairns hotel or airport transfers are included on the advertised liveaboard packages. Confirm your pick-up arrangements with the operator before departure, particularly if you are arriving by air on the same day.