Route Description - Coral Sea & Cod Hole Expedition

5 Nights / Up to 18 Dives. Experience adventure diving in the Coral Sea with superb Great Barrier Reef marine biodiversity

Please note: itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and sea conditions.

Thursday – Check-in & Departure
•Guests check in at the operator’s office located at 3 Abbott Street, Cairns, between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. After check-in, guests make their own way to the designated meeting point for boarding, which begins at 5:30 pm (details provided during check-in).
•At 5:50 pm, the crew escorts passengers aboard MV Spoilsport. A welcome glass of champagne and light snacks are served while the Trip Director delivers a full trip briefing.
•The vessel departs Cairns at 6:00 pm. Guests have time to organize rental gear and set up personal dive equipment.
•Note: Dinner is not provided on the first night; guests are encouraged to dine prior to boarding.

Friday – Diving Begins (Up to 4 dives + 1 night dive)
A typical day onboard includes:
•6:30 am: Wake-up call and light breakfast
•7:00 am: Full cooked breakfast
•8:00 am: Dive briefing
•9:00 am: Morning dive(s) commence
•10:30 am: Midday dive brief & dives (open deck format allows flexibility)
•2:00 pm: Lunch
•3:30 pm: Afternoon dive brief & dive
•4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
•6:30 pm: Night dive briefing & dive
•8:00 pm: Dinner

Saturday & Sunday – Full Diving Days (Up to 4 dives + 1 night dive each day)
•Daily schedules follow the same format as Friday, with dive locations adjusted based on weather and conditions.

Monday – Final Dive Day (Up to 4 dives)
•Diving follows the usual schedule, but concludes by 5:00 pm.
•That evening, guests celebrate with a sunset champagne toast, nibbles, and a fun Aussie BBQ party night. Passengers are encouraged to wear their most vibrant tropical attire and enjoy live entertainment from the crew.
•Overnight cruise back to Cairns follows.

Tuesday – Return to Cairns
•7:00 am: Light breakfast
•8:00 am: Disembarkation and courtesy transfers to inner-city hotels, the airport, or back to the operator’s office, where luggage storage is available until 4:00 pm for guests with later flights.

Route Description - Northern Exposure – Northbound

Embark on the Northern Exposure Expedition: a thrilling journey along the Continental Shelf to explore some of the most secluded, untouched regions of Australia’s Far Northern Great Barrier Reef. Venture into the rarely visited northern reaches, where pristine reefs, vibrant marine life, and awe-inspiring underwater landscapes await. This is the chance to discover the true hidden gems of the Far North Great Barrier Reef, immersed in pure, natural beauty.

Northbound Expedition – Cairns to Horn Island (Up to 27 dives)
Sample itinerary – subject to change based on weather and sea conditions.

Note: This expedition departs from Cairns aboard Spoilsport and concludes at Horn Island. Guests are responsible for arranging their own commercial flight from Horn Island (not included in the expedition price).

Thursday – Departure from Cairns
Guests are asked to check in at the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office (3 Abbott Street, Cairns) between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm.

At 3:30 pm, the crew escorts guests to board Spoilsport. Once on board, a full safety and trip briefing is provided by the Trip Director.

At 5:00 pm, Spoilsport departs Cairns and heads north. During this time, guests can organise rental gear and set up dive equipment on the deck.

7:00 pm – Dinner is served.

Friday – Diving Begins (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
A typical dive day includes:
6:30 am – Wake-up call and light breakfast
7:00 am – Dive briefing and morning dive
9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
10:30 am – Dive briefing; “open deck” format allows for 1–2 dives
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Dive briefing and afternoon dive
4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
6:30 pm – Night dive briefing and dive
8:00 pm – Dinner

Dive times and locations may vary to optimize conditions.

Saturday – Exploration & Celebration (Up to 3 dives + excursion + BBQ party night) Morning follows the same structure as Friday with up to 3 dives.
4:00 pm – Island excursion to Stanley Island Rock Art, offering a chance to explore local indigenous heritage.
7:00 pm – Onboard BBQ party night with music, food, and a relaxed atmosphere under the stars.

Sunday to Tuesday – Diving Continues (Up to 4 dives + night dive daily)
Guests continue exploring world-class sites along the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, following the daily dive schedule as outlined on Friday.

Wednesday – Final Dive Day (Up to 4 dives)
The final day of diving concludes by 5:00 pm. In the evening, guests celebrate with a farewell BBQ party. Everyone is encouraged to wear their brightest tropical shirts or dresses.
That night, Spoilsport cruises toward Horn Island.

Thursday – Disembarkation at Horn Island
7:00 am – Light breakfast
8:00 am – Disembarkation

Guests transfer independently to Horn Island Airport for their onward flights.

Important Notes
Flight Timing: Ensure at least 24 hours between your last dive and your flight (last dive ends at 5:00 pm Wednesday).

Flights: Commercial flights from Horn Island are not included and must be booked independently.
Luggage: Please confirm weight limits with your airline.
Courses: No dive courses are available on this expedition.

Route Description - Ashmore Exploratory

7 Nights – Up to 27 Dives. A rare opportunity to visit the remote and pristine reefs of Ashmore Reef. Dive at Raine Island, renowned for its breathtaking coral formations and the chance to witness one of nature’s most extraordinary gatherings of green turtles (Oct-Dec).

Ashmore Exploratory Expedition – Horn Island to Horn Island (Up to 27 Dives)
Sample itinerary – subject to change based on weather and ocean conditions.

Note: This round-trip expedition begins and ends at Horn Island. A commercial flight to/from Horn Island is not included and must be arranged independently.
April Departures Notice: For April departures, boarding takes place on Friday. Please adjust travel plans accordingly.

Thursday – Embarkation at Horn Island
4:00 pm – Guests board Spoilsport at the Horn Island Pier.
4:30 pm – Departure for Great Detached Reef (GDR).
Time is provided to assemble dive gear and organise any rental equipment.
7:00 pm – Dinner is served onboard.

Friday – Great Detached Reef & Raine Island (Up to 3 dives + night dive)
6:30 am – Wake-up call; light breakfast available
7:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
9:00 am – Dive briefing & first dive
10:30 am – “Open deck” diving session (1–2 dives)
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Afternoon dive
4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
6:30 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
8:00 pm – Dinner

Saturday – Great Detached Reef (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Diving continues as above.
After the night dive, Spoilsport cruises overnight to Ashmore Reef.

Sunday – Ashmore Reef (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Full day of diving at Ashmore Reef, one of the most remote and pristine reef systems in the Coral Sea.
Vessel remains overnight at Ashmore.

Monday – Ashmore Reef (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Second day of exploration dives at Ashmore Reef.
After the night dive, overnight cruise back toward Great Detached Reef.

Tuesday – Great Detached Reef Vicinity (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
A full day of diving resumes in the GDR region.
Sites may vary depending on the best conditions available.

Wednesday – Cape York & Farewell Celebrations (Up to 4 dives)
Final dive day concludes by 5:00 pm.
Guests enjoy a sunset champagne BBQ party night, complete with tropical outfits and music by the crew.

Spoilsport cruises overnight to Horn Island.

Thursday – Disembarkation at Horn Island
7:00 am – Light breakfast
8:00 am – Disembarkation at Horn Island

Important Notes
Flight Timing: Please allow a minimum of 24 hours between the last dive and any onward flight (last dive ends by 5:00 pm Wednesday).
Flights to/from Horn Island: Must be booked independently and are not included in the expedition.
Dive Courses: No training courses are offered on this itinerary.

Route Description - Ashmore Exploratory

7 Nights – Up to 27 Dives. A rare opportunity to visit the remote and pristine reefs of Ashmore Reef. Dive at Raine Island, renowned for its breathtaking coral formations and the chance to witness one of nature’s most extraordinary gatherings of green turtles (Oct-Dec).

Ashmore Exploratory Expedition – Horn Island to Horn Island (Up to 27 Dives)
Sample itinerary – subject to change based on weather and ocean conditions.

Note: This round-trip expedition begins and ends at Horn Island. A commercial flight to/from Horn Island is not included and must be arranged independently.
April Departures Notice: For April departures, boarding takes place on Friday. Please adjust travel plans accordingly.

Thursday – Embarkation at Horn Island
4:00 pm – Guests board Spoilsport at the Horn Island Pier.
4:30 pm – Departure for Great Detached Reef (GDR).
Time is provided to assemble dive gear and organise any rental equipment.
7:00 pm – Dinner is served onboard.

Friday – Great Detached Reef & Raine Island (Up to 3 dives + night dive)
6:30 am – Wake-up call; light breakfast available
7:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
9:00 am – Dive briefing & first dive
10:30 am – “Open deck” diving session (1–2 dives)
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Afternoon dive
4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
6:30 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
8:00 pm – Dinner

Saturday – Great Detached Reef (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Diving continues as above.
After the night dive, Spoilsport cruises overnight to Ashmore Reef.

Sunday – Ashmore Reef (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Full day of diving at Ashmore Reef, one of the most remote and pristine reef systems in the Coral Sea.
Vessel remains overnight at Ashmore.

Monday – Ashmore Reef (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Second day of exploration dives at Ashmore Reef.
After the night dive, overnight cruise back toward Great Detached Reef.

Tuesday – Great Detached Reef Vicinity (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
A full day of diving resumes in the GDR region.
Sites may vary depending on the best conditions available.

Wednesday – Cape York & Farewell Celebrations (Up to 4 dives)
Final dive day concludes by 5:00 pm.
Guests enjoy a sunset champagne BBQ party night, complete with tropical outfits and music by the crew.

Spoilsport cruises overnight to Horn Island.

Thursday – Disembarkation at Horn Island
7:00 am – Light breakfast
8:00 am – Disembarkation at Horn Island

Important Notes
Flight Timing: Please allow a minimum of 24 hours between the last dive and any onward flight (last dive ends by 5:00 pm Wednesday).
Flights to/from Horn Island: Must be booked independently and are not included in the expedition.
Dive Courses: No training courses are offered on this itinerary.

Route Description - Northern Exposure – Southbound

7 Nights – Up to 27 Dives. Explore the untouched beauty of the remote, pristine reefs in the far northern Great Barrier Reef. Dive at Raine Island, renowned for its breathtaking coral formations and the chance to witness one of nature’s most extraordinary gatherings of green turtles.

Southbound Expedition – Horn Island to Cairns (Up to 27 dives)
Sample itinerary – subject to change based on weather and sea conditions.

Note: This itinerary begins at Horn Island, with guests boarding Spoilsport at the pier.
A commercial flight to Horn Island is not included and must be arranged independently. The expedition concludes in Cairns with a courtesy transfer service.

Thursday – Boarding at Horn Island
4:00 pm – Guests board Spoilsport at the Horn Island Pier.
4:30 pm – Departure from Horn Island, cruising toward the Raine Island vicinity.
Guests are encouraged to organise any rental dive gear and set up their equipment on the dive deck.
7:00 pm – Dinner is served.

Friday – Dive Operations Begin (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
A typical dive day includes:
6:30 am – Wake-up call, light breakfast available
7:00 am – Dive briefing and morning dive
9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
10:30 am – Dive briefing; “open deck” format allows for 1–2 dives
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Dive briefing and afternoon dive
4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
6:30 pm – Night dive briefing and dive
8:00 pm – Dinner
Dive sites and timing may vary depending on prevailing conditions.

Saturday to Monday – Full Dive Days (Up to 4 dives + night dive daily)
These days follow the standard dive schedule above, exploring remote and pristine sites throughout the Coral Sea and northern Great Barrier Reef.

Tuesday – Diving & Cultural Excursion (Up to 3 dives + Island Tour)
Morning: Dive schedule continues with up to 3 dives.
4:00 pm – Afternoon excursion to Stanley Island, featuring Aboriginal rock art and scenic coastal views.
7:30 pm – Dinner onboard.

Wednesday – Final Dive Day (Up to 4 dives)
Diving concludes with the last dive by 5:00 pm.
In the evening, guests enjoy a lively Aussie BBQ party night with champagne, music, and a festive tropical dress theme.

That night, Spoilsport cruises back to Cairns.

Thursday – Arrival in Cairns
7:00 am – Light breakfast
8:00 am – Disembarkation
Courtesy transfers are provided to Cairns city hotels, the airport, or the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office, where luggage can be stored until 4:00 pm for those with later flights.

Important Notes
Flight Timing: Allow a minimum of 24 hours between your last dive and any onward flight (last dive ends by 5:00 pm Wednesday).
Flights to Horn Island: Must be booked separately and are not included in this expedition.
Dive Courses: No training courses are available on this itinerary.

Route Description - Fly Dive Coral Sea

4 Nights / Up to 14 Dives. The best selection of Coral Sea dive sites at Osprey & Bougainville Reef

Thursday
Guests are required to check in at the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office (3 Abbott St, Cairns) between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. After 4:30 pm, they should make their own way to meet fellow passengers. The boarding meeting point is at 5:30 pm; details are provided at check-in. Please note: dinner is not provided on the first evening, so it is recommended to eat beforehand.

At 5:50 pm, the crew escorts guests aboard Spoilsport, where they are welcomed with champagne and light snacks while the Trip Director gives a full briefing. At 6:30 pm, Spoilsport departs Cairns. Guests use this time to organize rental gear and set up dive equipment on the dive deck.

Friday – (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
A typical day on board follows this schedule, although times may vary depending on weather:
•6:30 am – Wake-up call with a light breakfast in the dining room
•7:00 am – Dive briefing & first dive
•9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
•10:30 am – Dive briefing & second dive (open deck format allows 1–2 dives, AM or PM)
•2:00 pm – Lunch
•3:30 pm – Dive briefing & third dive
•4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
•6:30 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
•8:00 pm – Dinner

Saturday – (Up to 4 dives + night dive)
Same schedule as Friday.

Sunday – (Up to 4 dives)
Follows the same daily schedule. All diving concludes by 5:00 pm. As the sun sets, guests are treated to champagne, snacks, and an Aussie BBQ party night. Guests are encouraged to wear their brightest tropical shirts or dresses and enjoy live entertainment provided by the talented crew. Overnight, the vessel cruises to Lizard Island.

Monday
•7:00 am – Light breakfast
•8:00 am – Disembark Spoilsport at Lizard Island. Crew escorts guests to the airstrip
•9:30 am – Board a low-level scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef back to Cairns (approx. 1-hour flight).
•11:45 am – Land in Cairns, with a courtesy transfer to city hotels, the airport, or the expedition office (where luggage can be stored until 4:00 pm).

Important Notes
A 24-hour surface interval is recommended between the last dive (completed by 4:00 pm Sunday) and any onward flight.
Flight luggage allowance from Lizard Island to Cairns: 25 kg (55 lb) per person checked baggage + 3 kg (6.5 lb) carry-on. An additional 10 kg (22 lb) allowance applies for professional photo/video housing systems.

Route Description - Coral Sea Safari

7 Nights / Up to 26 Dives. A fabulous 450 mile expedition, combines the Fly Dive Coral Sea and Fly Dive Cod Hole click on the links for more information. Experience the best diving of two contrasting marine eco systems in just one week.

Thursday
•Guests are to check in at the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office (3 Abbott St, Cairns) between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. From 4:30 pm, they are invited to meet fellow passengers, with boarding scheduled for 5:30 pm. Boarding details are provided during check-in. (Note: dinner is not included this evening, so guests are encouraged to eat beforehand.)

•At 5:50 pm, crew members escort everyone aboard Spoilsport, where guests are welcomed with champagne and light snacks. The Trip Director then provides a comprehensive briefing. At 6:00 pm, Spoilsport departs Cairns. Guests may use this time to organize rental gear and set up their dive equipment on the deck.

Friday – Up to 4 dives + night dive
A typical dive day on Spoilsport:
•6:30 am – Wake-up call with light breakfast available
•7:00 am – Dive briefing & first dive
•9:00 am – Full cooked breakfast
•10:30 am – Dive briefing & second dive (open deck format allows 1–2 dives, AM or PM)
•2:00 pm – Lunch
•3:30 pm – Dive briefing & third dive
•4:30 pm – Afternoon tea
•6:30 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
8:00 pm – Dinner

Saturday – Up to 4 dives + night dive
Schedule follows Friday’s format.

Sunday – Up to 4 dives
Schedule remains as per previous days, but all diving concludes by 5:00 pm. That evening, Spoilsport moors off Lizard Island. Guests enjoy champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and an Aussie BBQ party night on deck. They're encouraged to wear their brightest tropical shirts or dresses and join in the fun with music from the talented crew.

Monday – Up to 2 dives + night dive
•7:00 am – Light breakfast
•8:00 am – Farewell to guests finishing the 4-night Fly Dive Coral Sea Expedition, who disembark here
Remaining guests may relax onboard or take a tender to explore Lizard Island
•11:00 am – New passengers join the expedition; light snacks and refreshments are served
•12:45 pm – Dive briefing & afternoon dive
•2:00 pm – Lunch
•3:45 pm – Dive briefing & second afternoon dive
•4:45 pm – Afternoon tea
•6:00 pm – Night dive briefing & dive
•8:00 pm – Dinner
Tuesday – Up to 4 dives + night dive
Follows Friday’s format.
Wednesday – Up to 4 dives
Follows the daily schedule. Final dive concludes by 5:00 pm. That evening, guests enjoy a farewell party with champagne, snacks, and entertainment during the overnight cruise back to Cairns.

Thursday
•7:00 am – Light breakfast
•8:00 am – Disembarkation with courtesy transfers provided to Cairns city hotels, the airport, or the Mike Ball office, where luggage can be stored until 4:00 pm for those with later flights.

Route Description - Fly Dive Cod Hole

3 Nights / Up to 12 Dives. The best selection of Ribbon Reef dive sites north of Cooktown. Suitable for all experience levels.

This itinerary will guarantee exclusively dives at the best Ribbon Reef sites north of Cooktown. This 55 mile reef chain is the most prized dive region of the Great Barrier Reef. Marine life encounters range from pygmy seahorses to manta rays. One of diving’s most amazing phenomena awaits you at the Cod Hole.

This trip embarks every Monday at 8am from Cairns Colonial Club and disembarks Thursday at 8am from Trinity Warf in Cairns.

Monday:

Guests will depart from the Cairns Colonial Club at 8:00am and will be transferred to Cairns airport for the spectacular low level 150 mile reef flight to Lizard Island to board Spoilsport.
Diving will commence at approximately 12:30pm. Explore the rarely dived Cod Wall at the outer reef edge that disappears into 60 meters (200ft), glide back towards the Cod Hole while enjoying the clear water and spectacular coral formations. The shallow but fantastic, Challenger Bay is extremely rich in biodiversity from spectacular coral gardens and unusual critters through to large schooling fish. Great night dive location where you can watch out for Baza the Barra!
Tuesday:

Circumnavigate Pixie Pinnacle and Lighthouse Bommie shrouded in fusilier baitfish. Fluorescent purple and orange anthias attract predatory fish to these photogenic sites. Majestic Minke whales are seen here in June and July.
Rising from 80 meters the pinnacle of Andy’s Postcard is encrusted in had corals, lion fish, nudibranchs, octopus, schooling trevally and barracuda.
Guests will have the opportunity to see spectacular giant clams at Clam Beds as well as caves, canyons and coral encrusted bommies awaiting exploration. Sheer walls covered in whip corals and sea fans brim the natural amphitheatre of Vertical Gardens. Marine life varies from the many colourful nudibranchs to large schooling bump head parrotfish.
The day will end with a magnificent night dive.
Wednesday:

Guests will experience the spiral majestic coral pinnacles teeming with marine life, see huge schools of baitfish stalked by barracuda, mackerel and trevally, anticipate spectacular coral gardens, spotted rays, reef sharks and green turtle sightings in some of the Ribbon reef dive sites, Flare Point, Joani’s Joy and Steve’s Bommie.
Thursday:

Early morning docking at Trinity Wharf in Cairns, breakfast on board and a courtesy transfers to Cairns city hotels at around 8:00am.

Note: This is a sample Itinerary only and is subject to change.