7 Day / 7 Night Cod Hole & Coral Sea

5.0
from A$4750
8 days
Coral Sea
16+

Experience a 7 night Cairns liveaboard dive expedition aboard Spirit of Freedom, exploring the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, Lizard Island, Osprey Reef, and Coral Sea with up to 26 dives and gourmet meals included.

Quad Share $4750pp | Double $5600pp | OceanView $7250pp | Oceanview Deluxe $7500

Key Highlights

  • 7 night liveaboard dive expedition from Cairns
  • Up to 26 dives at Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole, and Osprey Reef
  • Iconic shark diving at North Horn with grey reef and Silvertip sharks
  • Osprey Reef - pelagics & 100m visability
  • Evening BBQ dinner on the vessel's top deck
  • Luxurious accommodation aboard Spirit of Freedom dive vessel
  • Exclusive opportunity to swim with Minke Whales in June and July
  • Enjoy a scenic flight from Lizard Island back to Cairns

What’s included

  • Up to 26 scuba dives, including 2 night dives
  • Air-conditioned cabins with private ensuite bathrooms
  • Daily cabin servicing
  • Scuba tanks and weights
  • All meals on board, freshly prepared by the onboard chef
  • Complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks with evening meals
  • Courtesy coach transfers to and from Cairns city accommodation
  • Time ashore at beautiful Lizard Island
  • Scenic light aircraft flight from Lizard Island to Cairns

Reviews

4.9

“An amazing week exploring the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole. The crew were knowledgeable and friendly, the boat was spotless, the dive deck spacious, and the food was plentiful and delicious.”

Mike B, Baltimore

4.8

“A fantastic week of diving with an exceptional crew. Although weather changed the original plans, the team found exciting alternative sites, kept safety a priority and made every dive memorable.”

Uvette, Stockholm

Overview

Experience an extraordinary diving adventure on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea with this 7 night liveaboard expedition, departing from Cairns. Board the spacious Spirit of Freedom and travel 240km through the Ribbon Reefs to reach iconic sites including the Cod Hole and Osprey Reef.

Enjoy up to 26 dives as you encounter vibrant coral gardens, giant clams, clouds of colourful tropical fish, and the famous giant potato cod. The adventure includes an overnight stop at Lizard Island (Jiigurru), where you will enjoy a scenic stay and a BBQ dinner on the vessel's top deck.

Dive deeper into Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, and the remote Osprey Reef, renowned for its dramatic walls, spectacular soft corals, and shark encounters. At North Horn, you may see up to 30-40 grey reef and Silvertip sharks during a thrilling close encounter dive, and if weather allows, explore Bougainville Reef to the south of Osprey Reef.

The trip also features daily cabin service, gourmet meals, and the chance to swim with Minke Whales during June and July. The journey concludes with an early morning return to Cairns and a farewell breakfast aboard Spirit of Freedom.

Commonly asked questions.

The itinerary combines the northern Ribbon Reefs, the famous Cod Hole, two days at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, and further dives at Ribbon Reef No. 3. Potential sites include Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom and North Horn, depending on weather and conditions.

The seven-night expedition combines the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs experience with two days exploring the remote Coral Sea. This provides a wider variety of underwater environments, from colourful coral gardens and pinnacles to deep walls and shark encounters at Osprey Reef.

The itinerary offers up to 26 dives, including two night dives. The number of dives completed depends on weather, sea conditions, site access and operational decisions throughout the expedition

The Cod Hole is famous for its large, approachable potato cod, which are a highlight for underwater photographers. The surrounding reef also features colourful corals, giant clams, anemones and abundant tropical fish, making it one of the expedition's signature dive sites.

North Horn is a renowned Coral Sea dive site where grey reef sharks, silvertips and occasionally oceanic whitetip sharks may be encountered. Spirit of Freedom offers a shark attraction dive that provides a close-up view of these predators under the crew's safety procedures.

Osprey Reef is known for exceptional visibility, which can reach approximately 30–100 metres in favourable conditions. Its isolated location and dramatic underwater walls provide spectacular views of soft corals, sea fans and the surrounding deep ocean. Actual visibility varies with conditions

Dynamite Pass is a possible drift-dive site along the Ribbon Reefs, known as a channel where sharks and other marine life may pass through. A dive here depends on suitable current conditions and the crew's assessment of safety on the day.

Yes. The vessel anchors overnight at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, where guests can enjoy a sunset barbecue. The following morning, guests have the opportunity to go ashore and explore the island, including a walk towards Mary Watson's cottage and the lookout over the bay, before returning to the Ribbon Reefs.

Bougainville Reef is an alternative destination that may be visited when weather conditions are especially favourable. It is known for unusual underwater landscapes, caverns and a partially submerged wreck. The captain determines the itinerary based on conditions, so a visit cannot be guaranteed.

The Coral Sea component requires Advanced Open Water certification, at least 20 ocean dives including five within the previous 12 months, and a good level of physical fitness. Divers should be comfortable with remote open-ocean conditions, currents and planning their own dives with a buddy.

Divers generally plan and conduct their own dives in buddy teams within the operator's safety procedures. Each dive begins with a briefing, and the crew provides surface support and a safety lookout. Full guided dives are not included as standard, so divers should be confident managing their own dive plans.

The vessel offers a range of air-conditioned cabin options, including Ocean View Standard and Deluxe cabins, a Stateroom and shared accommodation options. Cabins have private ensuite bathrooms, with daily servicing, and guests can choose a cabin category to suit their preferred level of comfort and budget, subject to availability.

Spirit of Freedom is a 37-metre liveaboard with three decks of living space, a spacious dive deck, dining and lounge areas, private ensuite cabins and facilities for underwater photographers. The vessel is designed to support extended reef expeditions, with equipment storage and a dedicated camera workstation.

Nitrox fills are available at additional cost, subject to the operator's arrangements. Certified divers who wish to use enriched air should confirm current pricing, availability and certification requirements with Spirit of Freedom before departure.

Additional info by the operator.

Thursday
  • The Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will pick you up from your Cairns hotel at around 11:00 am for the transfer to Trinity Wharf. Once on board, you'll meet the crew and receive an introduction to the vessel before departing at midday for your 3-night liveaboard dive adventure.
  • Enjoy lunch on board as we cruise out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, where you'll have an afternoon check-out dive followed by a twilight dive.
  • After dinner, we head north towards the spectacular Ribbon Reefs, ready for the next few days of incredible diving.
Friday and Saturday
  • Spend the next two days exploring the spectacular Ribbon Reefs, diving at sites between Ribbon Reef No. 3 and No. 10. With an incredible variety of coral formations, pinnacles and marine life, there's plenty to discover beneath the surface.
  • Dive sites and the order of dives may vary depending on weather and sea conditions, but the trip will always include at least one dive at the famous Cod Hole, where you can get up close with the resident family of huge, friendly Potato Cod. Other potential dive sites include Wonder Wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie and Snake Pit.
  • When conditions are right, you may also get the chance to drift dive through Dynamite Pass, a channel known for passing sharks. Check out our Ribbon Reefs page for more information about some of the dive sites you may visit.
  • With 4 to 5 dives available each day, including a night dive on Friday, there's plenty of time to explore these amazing reef systems. On Saturday evening, we anchor at Watson's Bay at Lizard Island and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
Sunday
  • After breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island and stretch your legs on land halfway through your trip. We recommend taking the guided walk from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage, crossing Chinaman’s Ridge before returning to the beach.
  • At around 11:00 am, we cruise back to Ribbon Reef No. 10 for two more dives at some fantastic sites. Depending on conditions, you may visit the Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall or Pixie Pinnacle.
  • If the tides and conditions are right, there may also be an opportunity to revisit the famous Cod Hole or explore some new dive sites.
  • In the evening, we set off on an overnight crossing of around 10 hours to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, ready for another couple of days of spectacular diving.
Monday & Tuesday
  • Spend two incredible days exploring Osprey Reef, weather permitting, where the Coral Sea delivers some of Australia's most spectacular diving. Renowned for its exceptionally clear water, visibility can range from 30 to 100 metres, revealing dramatic underwater walls decorated with colourful gorgonian fans, sea whips and vibrant yellow soft corals that rise from the ocean depths.
  • One of the highlights is North Horn, a world-famous dive site at the northern tip of Osprey Reef. Here, you may encounter grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks and occasionally oceanic sharks as they cruise through the deep blue. You'll also have the opportunity to experience the thrilling Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. With four to five dives available each day, including a night dive on Monday, there's plenty of time to discover the reef's incredible marine life and underwater scenery.
  • On Tuesday evening, we'll leave Osprey Reef behind and begin the overnight journey back towards the Ribbon Reefs, ready for more unforgettable diving.
Wednesday
  • Continue your underwater adventure at Ribbon Reef No. 3, home to some of the Great Barrier Reef's most spectacular dive sites. Depending on conditions, explore renowned locations such as Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom and Flare Point, each offering its own unique underwater scenery and marine life.
  • If weather conditions are particularly favourable, an alternative itinerary may take you south from Osprey Reef to Bougainville Reef. Known for its fascinating underwater formations, intriguing caverns and partially submerged wreck, Bougainville offers a different and equally exciting diving experience.
  • On Wednesday evening, we'll begin the overnight cruise back to Cairns, giving you time to relax and reflect on an unforgettable few days exploring the remote reefs of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef.
Thursday
  • We'll arrive back in Cairns at approximately 6:30 am, bringing your unforgettable liveaboard diving adventure to a close. Enjoy a light breakfast onboard and gather with your fellow divers for a group photo to remember the trip. You'll then be transferred back to your Cairns hotel at around 8:00 am, with incredible memories of exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the remote Coral Sea.

Cabins

Spirit of Freedom contains 11 guest cabins, each with ensuite bathrooms. There are five different cabin styles to best suit your requirements. All cabins are air-conditioned and are serviced daily.
Oceanview Deluxe

Oceanview Deluxe

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, the Ocean View Deluxe Cabin is a spacious 8.5 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 2 square metres) and contains a double bed, bedside tables, wardrobe, and 26″ flat-screen TV with USB input for media from a hard drive. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

Oceanview Standard

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, the Ocean View Standard Cabin is 5.2 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 2 square metres) and contains a double bed and wardrobe. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

Stateroom

Located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon, The Stateroom is a spacious 9.2 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 2.8 square metres) and contains a queen-size bed, extra shelving, a wardrobe, and bedside tables. The Stateroom is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

Standard Double / Twin

Spirit of Freedom has seven standard double or twin-share cabins. Five of these cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk bed style. One cabin contains one double bed and one cabin has two single beds. Please advise your preference for double or twin share when making your booking. These cabins are all located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. The Standard Double or Twin Cabins are an average 7.2 square metres in area, (not including the bathroom, which are an additional 1.8 square metres), fully air-conditioned, and also contain a wardrobe, bedside table, and private bathroom.

Quad Share

Spirit of Freedom has one quad share cabin containing four single beds, bunk bed style. This cabin is located midships on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. The Quad Share Cabin is 7.2 square metres in area, (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 1.8 square metres), fully air-conditioned, and also contains a wardrobe and private bathroom.

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