Route Description - 7 Night Cod Hole & Coral Sea
Dive at a range of sites with a variety of fish species and other pelagics as well as colourful coral structures for an extended excellent trip!
Thursday
Guests will be picked up from their Cairns hotel around 11:00 a.m. by the Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus and transferred to Trinity Wharf. Upon arrival, they will be welcomed by the crew and provided with an orientation of the vessel before departing on the 7-night liveaboard dive trip at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
Lunch will be served on board as the vessel cruises to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, where guests will enjoy an afternoon check-out dive followed by a twilight or night dive.
After dinner, the vessel will cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.
Friday & Saturday
These two days are dedicated to diving the northernmost sections of the Ribbon Reefs, specifically Ribbon Reefs Number 9 and 10.
Dive sites and their sequence may vary depending on weather conditions, but the itinerary always includes at least one dive at the famous Cod Hole, home to a group of massive and friendly Potato Cod. Other potential sites include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit.
If conditions permit, a drift dive at Dynamite Pass—a known shark passage—may also be included. Refer to the dive site page for further details on Ribbon Reef dive options. Guests can expect 4 to 5 dives per day, including a night dive on Friday.
On Saturday evening, the vessel will overnight at Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island, where guests will enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.
Sunday
After breakfast, guests will have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island, offering a chance to stretch their legs at the halfway point of the journey. A guided walk is available from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s Cottage, traversing Chinaman’s Ridge and returning to the beach.
At around 11:00 a.m., the vessel will cruise back to Ribbon Reef Number 10 for two additional dives, with possible sites including the Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle.
Depending on tidal conditions, the itinerary may include a repeat dive at Cod Hole or exploration of new sites. In the evening, the vessel will depart for a 10-hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
Monday & Tuesday
Guests will spend two full days diving Osprey Reef, weather permitting. Known for its crystal-clear waters with visibility between 30 and 100 metres, the Coral Sea offers dramatic underwater scenery, featuring sheer walls adorned with gorgonian fans, sea whips, and vibrant yellow soft corals that rise from great depths.
A highlight of the itinerary is North Horn, a site at the tip of Osprey Reef where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and occasionally oceanic sharks congregate. Here, guests can experience a close encounter during the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive.
Each day includes 4 to 5 dives, with a night dive offered on Monday. More information about Coral Sea and Osprey Reef dive sites can be found on the dive site page.
On Tuesday evening, the vessel will depart Osprey Reef for an overnight voyage back to the Ribbon Reefs.
Wednesday
Diving continues at Ribbon Reef Number 3, with sites such as the spectacular Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point on the schedule.
As an alternative—if weather conditions are favorable—the itinerary may shift south to Bougainville Reef, known for its unique underwater topography, caverns, and a partially submerged wreck.
On Wednesday evening, the vessel will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Thursday
The vessel will arrive back in Cairns at approximately 6:30 a.m. Guests will enjoy a light breakfast on board and have the opportunity for a group photo before being transferred back to their Cairns accommodation around 8:00 a.m.