Spirit of Freedom 3 nights liveaboard Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs
The Spirit of Freedom 3-night Cod Hole liveaboard is an exciting diving expedition that focuses on exploring the renowned Cod Hole dive site in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. This trip is specifically designed for divers eager to have an immersive experience with the fascinating Potato Cod, a friendly and iconic fish species in the region.
Spirit of Freedom 3-night dive expedition
During this 3-night liveaboard adventure aboard the Spirit of Freedom, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into the wonders of the Cod Hole dive site. Located in the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef, the Cod Hole is famous for its massive Potato Cod inhabitants, which can grow up to 2 metres in length. Interacting with these gentle giants is an unforgettable experience that often leaves divers in awe.
The Spirit of Freedom is a luxurious liveaboard vessel that offers comfort and convenience throughout your journey. With well-appointed cabins, delectable meals, and various amenities, it ensures a pleasant stay on board. The experienced crew members are dedicated to providing excellent service, ensuring your safety and enjoyment during the trip.
Throughout your 3-night liveaboard, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on multiple dives at the Cod Hole and other nearby dive sites. The Spirit of Freedom provides all necessary diving equipment, including tanks, weights, and dive guides, to enhance your diving experience. The dive guides are knowledgeable about the area and will assist you in maximizing your encounters with the Potato Cod and other marine creatures that inhabit the reef.
Scuba dives into the Great Barrier Reef’s world-famous Cod Hole near Lizard Island. Explore the remote Ribbon Reefs, with up to 11 dives, and discover a range of pinnacles and bommies in amazing visibility. Finally, round off your trip with a stunning low-level Reef Scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns mainland.
Spirit of Freedom has plenty of room to move around, not to mention a spacious dive deck! This dive trip to the Cod Hole offers a quality scuba dive liveaboard tour for certified scuba divers and the opportunity for Snorkelling for non-divers.
Outstanding Coral Sea Scuba Dive Expeditions
Your three-day cruise offers exceptional scuba dives throughout the Ribbon Reefs, with incredible marine life and visibility. If you join in on all the diving, you can complete up to 11 scuba dives. This includes a spectacular night dive full of Reef Sharks, Giant Trevallies, and free swimming Moray Eels! Not to mention the Potato Cod Feed at the famous “Cod Hole”. All in all, you won’t want to be leaving the boat at the end of the trip!
The Ribbon Reefs
The Ribbon Reefs are situated a short steam north of Cairns, a string of 10 Coral Reefs so aptly named from 1 through to 10. After all, being in such a remote location, the condition of these reefs offers some spectacular diving, with gorgeous coral gardens, pinnacles and bommies.
The Cod Hole
The Cod Hole Dive site can be found on Ribbon Reef #10. This world-renown dive site offers phenomenal diving, not to mention the chance to get up close and personal with the Potato Cod. These inquisitive creatures can grow up to 2 metres in length and, by all means, are a pure highlight for this dive site. Watch as the crew conduct the Cod Feed, where these gentle giants occasionally swim right up past your mask!
The Cod Hole itself provides some versatile diving. There is plenty to explore with shallow coral gardens that stagger down towards a channel. With the current picking up on an incoming tide, this may turn into a drift dive! Spot pelagic fish such as Flowery cod, Scorpionfish, and Reef Sharks. iI you are lucky, you might be able to spot a Pygmy Seahorse!
Lighthouse Bommie
The Ribbon Reefs are not just about the Cod Hole! Another fantastic dive site found at the Ribbon Reefs that is well worth a visit is Lighthouse Bommie. This pinnacle structure reaches approximately 30m deep and thrives with marine life. Say hello to the resident Turtle that loves to hang out here. Try and spot the many macro sea life, such as pipefish and nudibranchs. Keep your eyes peeled for some larger species and see if you can find a spotted eagle ray. During June-July, the Dwarf Minke Whales frequent the Ribbon Reefs and love to hang around Lighthouse Bommie. So if you travel to the Ribbon Reefs now, you are in for a big surprise!
Are you an Advanced Diver? How about diving with Reef Sharks on a 4 Day Coral Sea Liveaboard
Highlights
So the best part of your trip?
Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat, Dive, Eat and Sleep! For 3 Days!
Also:
- Luxury Dive Vessel
- Up to 11 dives along remote reefs
- Cod Hole to visit the famous Potato Cod
- Ribbon Reefs
- Scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns
- Chef prepared Meals
- During the months of June and July, it is Minke Whale season in this area!
Itinerary
Thursday
Around 10:30 a.m., the Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel and take you to Trinity Wharf. The Spirit of Freedom crew will greet you and give you an orientation of the vessel before you sail on your 3-night liveaboard dive tour at 12 noon.
While we travel to the outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive, enjoy lunch on board.
We cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs after Dinner, ready for our diving adventures the next day.
Friday & Saturday
These two days will be spent scuba diving among the Ribbon Reefs, from Number 3 to Number 10.
The dive sites and sequence may change depending on the weather, but at least one dive at the Cod Hole is guaranteed, where you’ll meet a family of gigantic and very friendly Potato Cod. Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and Snake Pit are all possible destinations.
If the current is right, you can also drift dive at Dynamite Pass, which is known for being a shark passageway. Some of our dive locations on the Ribbon Reefs are listed on the Ribbon Reef website. Each day will have 4 to 5 dives, and a night dive on Friday. We spend the night in Lizard Island’s Watson’s Bay on Saturday evening and enjoy a sunset BBQ meal on the top deck.
Sunday
After breakfast, you will disembark and bid farewell to the Spirit of Freedom.
Take the guided trek from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage through Chinaman’s Ridge and finally back to the airstrip on Lizard Island.
After a picnic of a Breakfast Roll and beverages, board a light aircraft for your return flight to Cairns. Enjoy A low-level Reef scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. A courtesy coach will meet you at Hinterland Aviation, Cairns General Aviation Airport, around 11.15 to 11:45 a.m. for your transfer back to your Cairns city accommodation at the end of your liveaboard dive adventure.
Included
- 3 nights Great Barrier Reef liveaboard accommodation onboard ‘Spirit of Freedom’.
- Up to 11 scuba dives along the remote Ribbon Reefs, including the world-famous Cod Hole
- A low-level Reef scenic flight from Lizard Island to Cairns.
- GST and all reef levies and fees.
- Bus transfers to and from Cairns City accommodation.
- Wonderful chef-prepared meals daily.
- Complimentary wine and soft drinks with evening meals.
- Air-conditioned, ensuite cabins.
- Daily cabin service
- Widescreen TV/DVD.
- Comfortable lounge areas and sun deck.
- Air-conditioning throughout.
- Snorkelling Equipment included
Optional Extras
Your trip to the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs includes Tanks and Weights, but you can upgrade to include the following:
- Full Equipment Hire
- Regulator and Dive computer
- Dive computer only
- Buoyancy Control Device
- Torch and Cyalume sticks
- Wetsuits 3mm and 5mm full Length
- PADI Advanced Course
- PADI Nitrox Course
- 3 Day Nitrox Package
- Onboard purchases (drinks and souvenirs)
What to bring
Almost everything is taken care of except:
- Personal luggage, clothes, toiletries etc
- Maximum 20 kg (45lb) luggage allowance per person including carry-on.
- Excess baggage secure storage available upon request
- Personal Dive Equipment. Full or Part Gear Hire available.
- Certification card or divers logbook
- Dive Insurance
- Cash or credit card for onboard purchases
How to get there
Spirit of Freedom departs from Trinity Wharf. Courtesy transfers are included from your Cairns City Hotel.
Important Information
Snorkelers and experienced divers with strong physical fitness are recommended.
Recommendation for Diver Experience: Open Water certification with a minimum of 10 ocean dives, five of which must be within the last 12 months.
Because we do not provide a full guided diving service, buddy teams are responsible for arranging and performing their own dives. A Great Barrier Reef Day Trip is recommended for guided dives.
Ocean diving is a fun but physically demanding activity, and a lack of physical fitness or scuba diving expertise may limit your ability to participate fully. Our primary concern is for your safety. If in doubt, a Scuba Diver Refresher course is recommended before your trip.
Diver Safety: You will need medical clearance before embarking on a liveaboard dive trip if you have a medical condition or are currently taking prescription medication. For assistance, please get in touch with us.
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