Spirit Of Freedom
- 7 Day Cod Hole, Coral Sea & Ribbon Reefs
Operates: Monday & Thursday
Departs:
Returns:
Transfers available:
The 7 day combo trip is the 3 day and 4 day trip done back to back (one immediately after the other) - 24 dives, 7 days, with a stop over in Cairns mid trip
Itinerary
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. You will be greeted by the Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation of the vessel before a 12 noon departure. Enjoy lunch on board while we cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive. After dinner we cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.
Tuesday & Wednesday: 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.
Thursday: 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.
Friday & Saturday: 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 Friday. See the dive site page for site selection of some of our dive sites at Osprey Reef. On Saturday night we will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.
Sunday: 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 Sunday evening we will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Monday: 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.
* Please note that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence may change inv accordance to the weather and the accessibility.
** Spirit of Freedom: 20% cancellation fee of total booking applies with less than 60 Days Notice 100% cancellation fee applies with 21 days or Less Notice
7 DAY COD HOLE CORAL SEA & RIBBONS
| CABIN TYPE | $AU pp | Reef Levy | Fuel Levy | Total $AU pp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean View Deluxe | 2,200 | 20 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Ocean View Standard | 2,000 | 20 | 30 | $2,050 |
| Stateroom | 2,000 | 20 | 30 | $2,050 |
| Double/Twin | 1,725 | 20 | 30 | $1,775 |
| Quad Share | 1,425 | 20 | 30 | $1,475 |
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
| $AU pp | |
|---|---|
| 7 Day Full Equipment rental | $245.00 |
| 7 Day Nitrox package | $180.00 |
| PADI Advanced Course | $220.00 |
| PADI Nitrox Course | $220.00 |

