The Spirit of Freedom offers the best in liveaboard dive cruising to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and remote Coral Sea reefs. Scuba Dive Tours of 3, 4 and 7 day duration depart our of Cairns to iconic dive sites such as the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and North Horn, Osprey Reef. Shark dives, Potato Cod feeding, sheer walls laced with massive soft corals, manta-rays, minke whales, and abundant healthy tropical reefs, rich with marine biodiversity are just some of the high-lights you'll experience with Spirit of Freedom diving tours.

Sleek and spacious, the 'Spirit of Freedom' offers the best in live-aboard dive cruising to the Coral Sea and Ribbon Reefs. This tour begins every Sunday from Cairns, and travels 240km along the rarely visited Ribbon Reefs, to the Cod Hole. Along the 'Ribbons' you will encounter clouds of colourful tropical fish, an incredible variety of vibrant healthy corals, giant clams, anemones, huge schools of cruising pelagic fish, and a family of giant potato cod. Within your 7 days, you will also spend 2 days at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. An old volcanic atoll lying 220km off the coast, Osprey Reef is renown for its spectacular walls to 1000m, its massive soft corals, shark action, and exceptional visibility. 'North Horn' at the tip of Osprey is a site where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the occasional oceanic congregate. Here you can also experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. This tour also includes an overnight stay in secluded Watson's Bay and a couple of hours ashore at Lizard Island. Return to Cairns 7 days later on the Thursday morning.

 

Friday & Saturday: These two days are spent diving at the most northern of the Ribbon Reefs, Number 9 & 10 Ribbon Reefs. Dive sites and sequence may vary depending on the weather conditions, but will always include at least one dive at the Cod Hole, where you encounter a family of massive and very friendly Potato Cod. Other sites may include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit, just to name a few. If the current is right, you may also take a drift dive at Dynamite Pass, well know as a channel for sharks to pass through. See the dive site page for site selection of some of our dive sites on the Ribbon Reefs. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on the Tuesday. On Wednesday evening we overnight at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck. 

 

Sunday: This morning after breakfast you will have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island. A good chance to stretch you legs on land at this half way point, you can take the guided walk from Watson's Beach to Mary Watson's cottage over Chinaman's Ridge and back to the beach. Around 11.00am we will cruise back to Ribbon Reef Number 10 for two dives at a choice of sites including the Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle. If the tide permits we may repeat a dive at the Cod Hole or visit new sites. We depart in the evening for a 10 hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Passengers starting their 7 day trip on a Sunday join the boat at Lizard Island.

Monday & Tuesday: Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia's Coral Sea reefs are renown for crystal clear water with visibility ranging 30 to 100 metres. The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, rising from the ocean floor thousands of feet below. 'North Horn' is a dive site at the tip of Osprey where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the occasional oceanic congregate, and you can experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on the Monday. See the dive site page for site selection of some of our dive sites at Osprey Reef. On Tuesday night we will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.

Wednesday: At Ribbon Reefs Number 3 we will dive such sites as the sensational Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. A second option for this day, in special weather conditions, is to head south from Opsrey to Bougainville Reef, known for its unusual underwater landscape or caverns, and its partially submerged wreck. On Wednesday evening we will cruise overnight back to Cairns.

Thursday: We arrive back into Cairns at 06:30am. Enjoy a light breakfast on board and a group photo opportunity before being dropped back to your Cairns hotel around 08.00am. Passengers who started their cruise on Sunday now complete Thursday, Friday and Saturdays itinerary as above, with their return flight to Cairns departing Lizard Island on Sunday Morning.

Spirit of Freedom is one of Australia’s most comfortable and well appointed live-aboard dive vessels. At 37 metres in length, with three decks of living space, generous cabins with private bathroom, the Spirit of Freedom offers all the amenities of a hotel, complimented by first class meals and outstanding service. A large dive deck with nitrox and photo facilities, houses every convenience to ensure comfort, safety and freedom in your diving.

Join a Spirit of Freedom dive trip to the Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea and witness the massive Potato Cod being fed at the Cod Hole, experience the thrilling shark dive at North Horn, Osprey Reef, and in the winter months you may even encounter the inquisitive Minke Whale on the Ribbon Reefs. Spirit of Freedom live-aboard dive tours depart from Cairns in the tropical north of Australia and offer 3, 4 and 7 night dive expeditions.

Cabin Types

Quad Share - We have one quad share cabin containing four single beds, bunk style. This cabin is located midships on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. It is 7.2 square metres in area, (not including bathroom, an additional 1.8 square metres), is fully air-conditioned and also contains a wardrobe and private bathroom.
Double/Twin - We have seven standard double or twin share cabins. Five of these cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk style. One cabin contains just a double bed and one cabin has two single beds. Please advise your preference for double or twin share when placing your booking. These cabins are all located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. They are an average 7.2 square metres in area, (not including bathroom, an additional 1.8 square metres), are fully air-conditioned and also contain a wardrobe, bedside table and private bathroom.
The Stateroom - This cabin is located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon. It is a spacious 9.2 square metres in area (not including bathroom, an additional 2.8 square metres) and contains a queen size bed, extra shelving, wardrobe, bedside tables and 26″ flat screen TV. It is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double Occupancy only: no twin share option available. Please enquire for Sole Occupancy rates.
Ocean View Standard - This cabin is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. It is 5.2 square metres in area (not including bathroom, an additional 2 square metres) and contains a double bed, a wardrobe, and 26” flat screen TV. It is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double Occupancy only: no twin share option available. Please enquire for Sole Occupancy rates.
Ocean View Deluxe - This cabin is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. It is a spacious 8.5 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, an additional 2 square metres) and contains a double bed, bedside tables, writing desk, wardrobe, and 26″ flat screen TV. It is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double Occupancy only: no twin share option available. Please enquire for Sole Occupancy rates.