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Route Description - GBR & Ribbon Reefs Expedition

For more than 30 years, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions has been revealing the finest dive sites along the stunning Ribbon Reefs. This journey revisits both iconic favorites and rarely explored gems, each delivering a world-class diving experience. The expedition is suitable for divers of all experience levels.

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

Note: This is a round-trip expedition starting and ending in Cairns. Guests must make their own way to the check-in location.

Thursday – Check-In & Departure from Cairns
8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Check-in at our office: 3 Abbott Street, Cairns
From 4:30 pm – Make your way to the boarding meeting point (details provided at check-in)
5:30 pm – Group assembly for boarding
5:50 pm – Board Spoilsport with your fellow adventurers
Welcome champagne and light snacks served
Safety briefing and orientation by your Trip Director
Time to set up your dive gear and arrange any rental equipment
6:00 pm – Departure from Cairns

Note: Dinner is not provided on the first night – please dine before boarding.

Friday – Diving Begins (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
6:30 am – Wake-up call; light breakfast available
7:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
8:00 am – Dive briefing
9:00 am – Diving commences
10:30 am – Open deck diving (1–2 dives, AM or PM)
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Dive briefing & afternoon dive
4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
6:30 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
8:00 pm – Dinner

Saturday & Sunday – Dive Days (Up to 4 dives + night dive each day) Follow the same schedule as Friday

Enjoy a variety of reef sites tailored to the conditions

Monday – Final Dive Day (Up to 4 dives)
Same daytime schedule as above

All diving ends by 5:00 pm

Sunset celebration:
Toast the journey with champagne and nibbles
Enjoy an Aussie BBQ party night on deck
Wear the loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along with our talented crew
Overnight cruise back to Cairns

Tuesday – Disembarkation in Cairns
7:00 am – Light breakfast
8:00 am – Disembark with courtesy transfers to:
Cairns inner-city hotels
Cairns Airport
Or our office (luggage storage available until 4:00 pm for late flights)

Important Information
Flight Safety: We recommend allowing at least 24 hours between your last dive and any onward flight.
(Final dive concludes by approximately 4:00 pm Monday.)
No courses are offered during this expedition.

Commercial flights to and from Cairns are not included and must be arranged by guests.

Booking Conditions / Additional Costs / Marine Park Fees

Your reservation request is obligation free and you can cancel anytime within the first 72 hours. During this time, you can easily find matching flights and get answers from our reservations team to any further questions you may have.

After you have confirmed and paid for your reservation, the following cancellation policy applies:

More than 60 days prior to departure: Deposit refundable, less 1.8% credit card transaction fee.
Between 60 – 30 days prior to departure: Deposit not refundable. Credit valid for 2 years.
Within 30 days of departure: 100% forfeit. Credits only offered for cancellations directly resulting from a pandemic; relevant documentation required.

Please note: Marine park fees, surcharges etc can change and we cannot be held liable for differences in on-board surcharges. These will be confirmed at the time of booking