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Spirit of Freedom’s 3 night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef Cairns liveaboard dive trips are amazing! You can do up to 11 dives, including 1 night dive, and you’ll be exploring some serious bucket list sites, including the world famous Cod Hole, with its resident population of ‘friendly’ potato cod. The mostly inclusive pricing covers transfers, accommodation and daily cabin service, all meals on Spirit of Freedom, some dive equipment (see below for more), time on Lizard Island and a 1-hour scenic flight from Lizard Island back to Cairns. Please note that the operator of this trip requires diving guests to have a minimum of Open Water certification, with 10 ocean dives, 5 completed in the last 12 months. If you tick that box, then this is the trip for you.
The 3 night Spirit of Freedom Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef Cairns liveaboard dive trip departs every Thursday at 12pm. You’ll enjoy 2 dives on Cairns outer Great Barrier Reef on day 1, with the remainder of the dives taken on the spectacular far northern Ribbon Reefs. Exact dive sites will be selected to maximise your in-water experience, pending the conditions at your time of travel. Please note Spirit of Freedom is primarily a dive boat. Reef sites are chosen for suitability for scuba divers. While snorkelers are welcome to travel with diving companions, if you / your group are snorkelers only, then we recommend a different Cairns liveaboard reef tour.
What We Love About Spirit of Freedom. Everything! Their Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef trip takes you to some of the most amazing dive sites on the Great Barrier Reef. We’ll never forget our first visit to the Cod Hole. The boat itself is well designed for ease of movement, with a large dive deck and comfortable communal spaces. The food is plentiful and delicious. The crew friendly and attentive, and the cherry on top is the scenic flight back to Cairns from Lizard Island.
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Get a free underwater camera rental when you book tours through us valued at over $750, we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera to use for the duration of your tours. Numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Get in touch with us to claim this deal today.
Spirit of Freedom is a high end liveaboard dive boat, where the focus is on providing exceptional diving in remote locations, paired with outstanding customer service. The majority of guests on the 3 night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs Cairns liveaboard trips will be certified scuba divers, although non-diving companions are welcome to join them. You will be at sea for 3 nights, getting on in Cairns and off at Lizard Island. The boat takes a maximum of 24 guests, accommodated in 11 cabins, which are a combination of room types and configurations, from doubles and twins to quad share, all with their own private bathroom.
Certified divers can do up to 11 dives on a Spirit of Freedom Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Cairns Liveaboard Dive Trip, which includes 10 day dives and 1 night dive. As above, the operator requires scuba diving guests to have a minimum of an Open Water certification, with 10 ocean dives, 5 having been completed in the last 12 months. You will do 2 dives on the first day, and the remaining 8 day dives and 1 night dive completed over the following 2 days. You do not dive on day 4. You don’t have to do all of the dives, but they are all included in the tour price; there is no discount provided if you do less dives.
Scuba diving on Spirit of Freedom’s Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Cairns Liveaboard Dive Trips is unguided, except for an orientation dive at the start of the trip. The dive depth at the Ribbon Reef sites varies, but they are all suitable for those with Open Water certification. Diving is done in buddy pairs, if you are not travelling with your dive buddy, one will be allocated to you on the boat. There is a Safety Diver in the water on most dives, which inexperienced divers and buddy teams may follow. Water entry is giant stride. Dive site briefings are included in the tour price. You will be required to show proof of your dive certification.
Please Note. Some diving equipment is included in the tour price, and this is: mask, snorkel, boots, fins, tanks, weights and weight belts – as well as surface marker buoys, whistles and Nautilus LifeLine Marine GPS. Additional equipment can be rented at additional cost to the tour price. Rental equipment includes: BCD, regulators, computer, torch and wetsuits.
The MV Spirit of Freedom was designed and custom-built to provide exceptional long-range cruise and dive expeditions on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. It’s a monohull vessel with electronic stabilisers for passenger comfort. Spirit of Freedom has 3 decks and takes a maximum of 24 guests and a minimum of 12 crew on each trip. In addition to the 11 accommodation cabins and dive deck, Spirit of Freedom has lots of shared communal spaces, from the air conditioned dining saloon and forward lounge, complete with Ship’s Bar, to the spacious open air top deck with sun lounges and shaded table and chair seating. Spirit of Freedom has a cruising speed of 12 knots. It’s 37m long x 7.1m wide.
The passenger accommodation on Spirit of Freedom’s Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Cairns liveaboard dive trips is provided in 11 cabins. All the cabins are air conditioned with their own private toilet. They come in a range of configurations, from doubles and twins to quad share. Linen and shower towels are provided and included, but you should bring your own ‘ocean’ towel to use on the dive deck. There are 2 ocean view cabins, the rest are located below deck. When you’re not in your cabin, you’re welcome to relax in the air conditioned saloon area, guest lounge or on the external decks, including the top sundeck.
As the name suggests, the Ocean View Deluxe cabin is located on the top deck and provides ocean views through 3 large windows. The cabin has a double bed, tables, wardrobes and flat screen TV. Double or sole occupancy only.
The Ocean View Standard cabin is also on the top deck, with 2 windows providing views. This cabin has a double bed, wardrobe and flat screen TV. Double or sole occupancy only.
The Stateroom Cabin is the largest guest cabin on Spirit of Freedom. It’s located below deck and has a queen bed, extra shelving, bedside tables, wardrobe and flat screen TV. Double or sole occupancy only.
There are 7 standard double or twin share cabins on Spirit of Freedom. 5 of them have a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk style. Usually only 2 guests are allocated to these cabins, but 3 can share upon request. 1 cabin has a double bed. 1 cabin has 2 single beds. These cabins have a wardrobe, bedside tables and personal reading light. Double, twin and sole occupancy only.
There is 1 quad share cabin, which has 4 single beds in bunk bed style. As with all cabins, the quad share cabin is air conditioned and has its own bathroom and wardrobe. It’s located midships, below deck.
Spirit of Freedom’s Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs Cairns liveaboard dive trips take you to the stunning Ribbon Reefs, north of Cairns. You can participate in up to 11 dives, consisting of 10 day dives and 1 night dive. Spirit of Freedom has over 13 dives sites on the Ribbon Reefs and will select the best ones to maximise your experience, pending conditions at the time of travel. At least 1 of the dives will be at the world famous Cod Hole, which is home to a very friendly population of large potato cod. Other sites you might explore include Challenger Bay, Pixie Pinnacle and the Snake Pit. Day 1 = 2 dives. Day 2 = 4 dives and 1 night dive. Day 3 = 4 dives. No diving on day 4. You do not have to participate in all the dives, but they are all included in the tour price; there is no discount provided if you do less dives.
The meals on Spirit of Freedom are generous in proportion, delicious and constant – and in between times – there’s fresh fruit available for snacks. A common saying on this boat is ‘when you’re not diving or sleeping, you’ll be eating’ – and in fact the day seems to be planned around this. A light continental breakfast is available before the first dive of the day, followed by a hot breakfast, then more diving, then lunch and more diving, afternoon tea, more diving and then dinner and dessert. There is unlimited tea, coffee and milo provided and included in the tour price, as well as chilled water to refill personal drink bottles. Soft drinks, juice and snacks (chocolate bars etc) are available to purchase at additional cost to the tour price. [NB: Any purchases made during the trip will be paid for at the end of the trip.] Spirit of Freedom is a licensed vessel and provides 1 complimentary beer, wine or soft drink with dinner. Additional beverages can be purchased and paid for in addition to the tour price. Please note alcohol can only be consumed at the conclusion of diving for the day. You can NOT drink and then dive. Once you have had an alcoholic beverage, you will not be permitted to enter the water again until the following day.
Spirit of Freedom can accommodate most dietary requirements, with advance notice to be provided. Their hospitality staff can identify which items are suited to your specific requirements. “However, due to logistical constraints in regard to provisioning and limited food preparation areas, we cannot guarantee a 100% safe environment for anyone suffering from a severe food allergy (anaphylaxis), including exposure via cross-contamination or airborne allergens.
All persons with a known allergy, especially those with a previous medical history of anaphylaxis, must travel with sufficient medication and a pre-prepared action plan to manage their condition.”
When going on a Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip you should bring clothing and swimwear (including warm clothes for the evening), 1 x towel (ocean), a hat, sunscreen and toiletries, your dive certification card and log book, seasickness medication and personal drink bottle, which can be refilled on board. Also ensure to bring any personal medication required and basic toiletries. As the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs Cairns liveaboard dive trip includes a scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns, you must ensure you adhere to the total baggage allowance as set by the flight operator, which is 20kg (45lb) per person including carry-on luggage.
Do Not Bring: Sleeping bags, pillows, extra luggage (can be safely stored at our Cairns office at no extra cost) or alcoholic beverages
Spirit Of Freedom’s Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef liveaboard dive trips depart Cairns every Thursday at 12pm, and return on Sunday around 11.30am. They are 3 night / 4 day trips. Courtesy transfers are provided to and from Cairns city accommodation and airport.
Pick-ups from Cairns accommodation and the airport commence at 11am, to transfer guests to Spirit of Freedom at Trinity Wharf. The boat departs Cairns at 12pm.
Getting on board Spirit of Freedom and meeting the crew. 2 scuba dives on Cairns’ Great Barrier Reef, an orientation dive and twilight dive. Sunset at sea is always a winner!
Once you arrive at Spirit of Freedom, you’ll be greeted by the crew who will provide an orientation of the vessel. You’ll also be shown your cabin. Lunch is served in the dining saloon, while Spirit of Freedom makes its way to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. There’s 2 dives this afternoon, an orientation dive and a twilight dive. After diving is completed, dinner is served. While guests settle in for the night, Spirit of Freedom makes its way to the Ribbon Reefs.
Your first full day at sea – and it will be amazing! The ship’s daily schedule runs a little bit like this – sleep, eat, dive and repeat. Stay hydrated and drink lots of water.
Early morning scuba dives on the Great Barrier Reef is the best time to spot the larger night predators ending their activities, with the day shift beginning. It’s a busy time on the reef and worth getting up for! 4 day dives and 1 night dive.
We love waking up to watch the sunrise and after that, there’s time for a quick coffee and continental breakfast before the first dive of the day. As you climb back onto the dive deck, the delicious smell of bacon and eggs is calling your name, it’s called second breakfast. The daily schedule of exact dive times and locations varies, depending on conditions at the time of travel, but on Fridays it’s usually: Wake – Eat – Dive – Eat – Dive – Lunch – Dive – Afternoon Tea – Dive – Dinner – Night Dive – Dessert. Remember, once you consume alcohol, you’re out of the water until the next day. So, if you want to participate in the night dive, skip the beer / wine at dinner.
Last full day on the Great Barrier Reef and last day of diving. You can do up to 4 day dives today – no night dives.
Exploring the amazing dive sites of the Great Barrier Reef’s far northern Ribbon Reefs. The visibility is excellent and marine diversity and abundance will blow your mind. Sunset BBQ dinner.
Day 3 runs pretty much the same as day 2. Sleep, eat, dive, repeat. You’re in an amazing location, diving reefs that very few people get to see. The diversity of the underwater landscape is outstanding, and each site offers something different, from large schools of anthias and diagonal banded sweetlips, to reef sharks and sea snakes, moray eels, anemonefish, potato cod, groupers and so much more. The last night of the trip is spent in Watson’s Bay at Lizard Island – where you’ll enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
Morning departure from the boat, quick walk on Lizard Island before scenic flight back to Cairns.
Sunrise on Lizard Island is stunning! The guided island walk is fascinating, and on the scenic flight back to Cairns, you’ll enjoy aerial views of the reefs you have been diving on.
Enjoy breakfast on Spirit of Freedom, before a tender transfer over to Lizard Island. The crew will take you on a guided walk from Watson’s Bay Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage and back to the air-strip. You depart Lizard Island around 10.15am and get into Cairns around 11.30am. Courtesy coach transfers back to your Cairns accommodation or Cairns airport.
The 3 night Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard trip takes you to the Great Barrier Reef’s far northern Ribbon Reefs. During your diving days, you’ll explore many different sites across the Ribbon Reefs. The exact locations you will go to varies and is dependent on the weather and tides at the time of travel – but will always include at least 1 dive on the Cod Hole. They will always pick the best sites to maximise your in-water experience, pending conditions.
Spirit of Freedom is a dive liveaboard boat. The majority of passengers will be certified scuba divers. That being said, non-diving companions are welcome to snorkel on the 3 night Ribbon Reef trip, with all snorkelling equipment provided and included. The Ribbon Reefs are awesome to see, with an abundance of marine life and usually excellent visibility, so the snorkelling is excellent.
Yes, Spirit of Freedom requires diving passengers on their 3 night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs trips to have a minimum of Open Water certification, with 10 ocean dives, 5 having been completed in the last 12 months. Certification and log books will be required to be supplied. Why is this? The Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef are in a remote location and as such, safety and experience are paramount. Please note introductory diving, for non-diving companions is not available on this trip. If this was something you wanted to investigate, then one of the other Cairns liveaboard trips would be a better choice for you.
The diving on a 3 night Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip is excellent!! We’ve done this trip a few times and it’s one of my favourite dive trips from Cairns. The Cod Hole is mind blowing, with the most friendly population of large potato cod, but so many of the other Ribbon Reef sites are exceptional too. The maximum dive depth on the Ribbon Reefs is usually between 20-30m, but some of the best diving is in the top 18m, which is why it is suitable for anyone with Open Water certification and above.
You can do up to 11 dives on a 3 night Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip, which includes 10 day dives and 1 night dive. You do 2 dives on day 1, 5 dives on day 2 – including 1 night dive – and then 4 dives on day 3. You don’t have to participate in all the dives, but there is no discount provided for dives not completed.
No. There are no dedicated dive guides on Spirit of Freedom, which is why they suggest experienced divers. You will complete 1 guided orientation dive and there will be a Safety Diver in the water on all dives.
Yes, you should be able to swim in open water to go on a Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip. Spirit of Freedom visits remote reef sites. All reef experiences are conducted in the water. There is no pontoon, glass bottom boat or semi submersible, so the only way to ‘see the reef’ is to get in the water.
This all depends on the age of your children: the minimum passenger age on Spirit of Freedom is 16 years old. If your child/ren are aged 16 years and over, then ‘yes’ this trip is suitable for families, and you will make some epic diving memories! However, if they are younger, then no – it is not suitable for families – but there are other Cairns liveaboard dive trips which might suit your family.
The food on Spirit of Freedom is excellent. We’ve been on this boat many times and have never been disappointed. The menu varies with different meals prepared fresh each day. The focus is on flavour and sustenance, because diving is tiring. There are 2 breakfasts – one before diving and one afterwards, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and dessert. They can accommodate dietary requirements, but these should be advised at the time of booking. Fresh fruit is always available for snacks.
There will be a maximum of 24 guests on a Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip, with a minimum of 12 crew. Guests are accommodated in cabins with double beds and bunk beds. All cabins are air conditioned and have their own private toilet.
Yes. Non-diving friends and/or partners can come with you on a Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip, but please note the reef sites are chosen to meet the needs of certified scuba divers.
There are lots of excellent inclusions in the 3 night Spirit of Freedom Cairns liveaboard dive trip, such as: transfers to and from Cairns accommodation and airport, cruise from Cairns to Lizard Island and scenic flight back to Cairns. The price also includes your accommodation, linen and cabin towel, plus all meals and unlimited tea and coffee. The evening meal comes with 1 beer, wine or soft drink – additional beverages can be purchased at additional cost. 11 scuba dives included – 10 day dives and 1 night dive – and some diving equipment (but not all – there are equipment rental packages available for BCDs, regulators and more) – a guided orientation dive, dive briefings and Safety Diver in the water.
Spirit of Freedom is an excellent liveaboard dive boat. The dive deck is well planned and spacious, the cabins are comfortable and there’s lots of communal spaces, from the forward lounge and dining saloon to the top deck. It has 3 decks and takes a maximum of 24 guests with a cruising speed of 12 knots. Very stable ride in most sea conditions. 37m long x 7.1m wide.
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