Spirit of Freedom: 7 Day/7 Night Cod Hole & Coral Sea

Sleek, stylish and spacious, the 'Spirit of Freedom' is Australia's premier live-aboard dive vessel and offers the best in cruising comfort to the far northern Great Barrier Reef and remote Coral Sea reefs. This 120ft/ 37m vessel features electronic stabilizers, flat screen TVs, comfortable lounge areas, sun decks, and large dive deck.

On Board MV Spirit of Freedom

The Cabins Accommodating up to 26 guests, Spirit of Freedom has 11 spacious air-conditioned cabins all with private bathroom. A range of cabin types are available from quad share to Ocean View Deluxe. Some cabins contain flat screen TVs and DVD players.

The Crew The Spirit of Freedom crew are a team of 10 dedicated professionals who work together to ensure your diving and your time on board is fun, safe, and a memorable experience that surpasses all your expectations.

The Meals The Spirit of Freedom chefs provide first class meals and can cater to specific dietary requirements. Enjoy Australian and international cuisines and four me als a day. Australian wine and soft drinks are complimentary with the evening meal.

Departs: Cairns 12:00 noon Monday
Returns: Cairns 07:00am Monday

Includes:

• Transfers to/ from your Cairns hotel
• Opportunity for up to 26 dives
• En-suite cabin with daily service
• Chef prepared gourmet meals – Australian style
• Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals

Your 7 Day/ 7 Night Dive Adventure

To Australia's Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, & Coral Sea

Monday: The Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel around 11:00am to transfer you to Trinity Wharf, where you will board the vessel. The Spirit of Freedom crew will greet you and give you an orientation of the vessel before a 12 noon departure. Enjoy a lunch on board while cruising to the o uter Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive. After dinner you will continue to cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.

Tuesday: Today's diving will be around Number 5 Ribbon Reef at sites such as, Permission Bommie and the Clam Gardens, where you will be amazed at the size and abundance of giant clams. The dive might include a drift dive at 'High Five', before a night dive at the beautiful Gorgie's Wall. Late tonight you will cruise north to the top of the Ribbon Reefs.

Wednesday: Dive the monolith at Challenger Bay and the Cod Hole. The Cod Hole is a popular dive site for it's resident family of large Potato Cod, (Groper). Other dives may include a drift dive at Dynamite Pass, well know as a channel between reefs for sharks to pass, or the famous Snake Pit, where you will be amazed at the abundance of Olive Sea Snakes. Late in the afternoon you will arrive at Watson's Bay on Lizard Island and enjoy a BBQ dinner on the top deck. Overnight Watson's Bay.

Thursday: This morning there will be time for a morning walk on the island, departing to the reef again before lunch. This afternoon you will have the opportunity for two or three dives at a choice of sites on Number 10 Ribbon Reef, including the Cod Hole, Challenger Bay , Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle. Depart in the evening for an 8 hour journey to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.

Friday & Saturday: Osprey Reef. Australia's Coral Sea reefs are renown for crystal clear water with average visibility in excess of 100 feet. Two days can be spent diving at Osprey Reef, including North Horn, well known for its shark action. You can expect to see grey whalers, silvertips, reef sharks, occasional hammerheads, schooling barracuda, trevally, and other pelagics. The landscape is amazing with 1000 metre sheer walls laced with gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals.

Sunday:After overnight travel back from Osprey Reef, today will be based around Ribbon Reefs Number 3 at dive sites such as the sensational Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. Tonight you will cruise back to Cairns (Note: In excellent weather conditions this last day of diving may be at Bougainville Reef, another Coral Sea reef to the south of Osprey Reef).

Monday: Arrive back into Cairns at 06:30am. Enjoy your last breakfast on board, before Spirit of Freedom transfer you back to your Cairns hotel around 07:30am.

Note: This itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence may change. Access to the Cod Hole and the Coral Sea is tide and weather conditional.