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.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary – subject to change based on weather and sea conditions.
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.