Route Description - Coral Sea Exploratory
7 Nights / Up to 28 Dives (26 Dives July Departure). This expedition combines adventure diving in the Coral Sea’s Holmes, Bougainville, and Osprey Reefs with the best of the Great Barrier Reef’s Ribbon Reefs.
Thursday – Departure from Cairns
Guests are asked to check in at the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office (3 Abbott Street, Cairns) anytime between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. After check-in, they are free to explore or relax before making their own way to the boarding meeting point at 5:30 pm (location details provided at check-in).
Please note that dinner is not provided on the first night, so guests are encouraged to dine beforehand.
At 5:50 pm, the crew escorts everyone aboard Spoilsport, where guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne and light refreshments. The Trip Director then provides a full safety and trip briefing.
At 6:00 pm, Spoilsport sets sail from Cairns. Guests will have time to organize rental gear and assemble dive equipment on deck.
Friday – Diving Begins (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
A typical dive day aboard Spoilsport includes:
6:30 am – Wake-up call with light breakfast
7:00 am – Dive briefing and first dive
9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
10:30 am – Dive briefing; open deck format allows for 1–2 dives (morning or afternoon)
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Dive briefing and afternoon dive
4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
6:30 pm – Night dive briefing and night dive
8:00 pm – Dinner
Note: The exact timing and number of dives may vary depending on weather and sea conditions.
Saturday to Tuesday – Daily Diving Schedule (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Guests continue to explore spectacular dive sites, following the same daily structure as Friday.
Wednesday – Final Dive Day (Up to 4 dives)
Guests enjoy a final day of diving with the same schedule. The last dive concludes by 5:00 pm.
That evening, Spoilsport hosts a celebratory farewell party on board, complete with champagne, canapés, and stunning views as the vessel begins its overnight cruise back to Cairns.
Thursday – Return to Cairns
7:00 am – Light breakfast served
8:00 am – Disembarkation begins with courtesy transfers provided to Cairns inner city hotels, the airport, or back to the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office. Luggage storage is available at the office until 4:00 pm for those with late flights.