Spirit of FreedomCairns

Spirit of Freedom is probably the most beautiful and luxurious dive boat in the Cairns region. She is a very elegant vessel with spacious cabins, great dive deck and a comfortable lounge. Even with a full boat (max. 26 guests) everyone can find their own private space.

The itineraries offer the opportunity to dive the Ribbon Reefs and some of the fantastic Coral Sea dive sites. The Thursday flight to/from Lizard Island cuts the cruising time by approximately 12 hours, so 2 extra dives can be added to the itinerary!

The Spirit of Freedom is the perfect vessel for divers who like liveaboard trips in great comfort. The spacious saloon resembles a luxury cruise ship. The saloon is equipped with TV, Video Recorder and Stereo system.

Spirit of Freedom is fully air-conditioned and about 37 metres in size. The partially covered sundeck is a good place to relax between dives. On the spacious dive deck is enough room for all your dive gear and for gearing up comfortably. The crew looks after you by providing you with fresh towels after every dive. The only thing you have to do yourself is to dive!

Spirit of Freedom has 11 luxury cabins. All cabins are big in size and feature ensuite bathrooms. The nicest cabin on board is the Ocean View Deluxe (Double Bed) Cabin on the upper deck. Ideal for honeymooners! There is also the Standard Ocean View Cabin (Double Bed) which is a little smaller.

All other cabins are below deck. The Stateroom (Queen Bed - cabin 1) is quite big for liveaboard standards. There is one twin share cabin (cabin 2) and one double bed cabin (cabin 4). All other cabins (cabins 3, 7, 8, 9) can be used as double or twins. Those cabins have a single bed over the double bed. Two quad share cabins (cabins 5, 6) are located at the centre of the vessel.

Designed to dive and cruise the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea, Spirit of Freedom operates 2 scheduled departures from Cairns each week. Combine the two itineraries to make a unique 7 day/ 7 night dive adventure!

The Coral Sea Reefs are visited on the Thursday schedule. Superb visibility, drop offs, fantastic shark action, beautiful coral and many other forms of marine life are typical for the area.The Ribbon Reefs are in Spirit of Freedom's Monday schedule. Characteristics of these Reefs are lush coral gardens and many spectacular pinnacles surrounded by schooling fish. The Ribbon Reef Excursion starts on Mondays. The Code Hole and many other dives sites at the Ribbon Reefs are on the schedule for this trip.

Destination Coral Sea, Osprey Reef & Ribbon Reefs, up to 16 dives
departing Cairns 8:30 AM Thursday, returning Cairns 7:00 AM Monday

Thursday: Your aircraft will depart at 8:30 am for your scenic flight over the reef to Lizard Island. This afternoon you will have the opportunity for two dives, perhaps Cod Hole and Dynamite Pass. Late evening cruising overnight to the Coral Sea.
Friday & Saturday: Osprey Reef. Australia's Coral Sea reefs are renown for crystal clear water with an average visibility in excess of 30 metres (100 feet). Two days can be spent diving at Osprey Reef, including North Horn, well known for its shark action.
Sunday: Option 1: Still in the Coral Sea, weather depending we will dive Bougainville Reef. Option 2: Return to the Ribbon Reefs #3 to #5 to dive the sensational Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom and other sites. Sunday evening, cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Monday: arrive in Cairns approximately 6.30am. Breakfast will be served on board and hotel transfer will be arranged at approx. 7.30am.

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Destination Ribbon Reefs & Cod Hole, up to 11 dives
departing Cairns 12:00 noon Monday, returning Cairns approx 12.00 noon Thursday

Monday: Boarding Spirit of Freedom at 11:15 am for a 12 noon departure. Lunch will be served on board while cruising to the Great Barrier Reef. You get an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive.
Tuesday: Today you dive sensational Steve's Bommie on Ribbon Reef # 3. Other dives might be at Clam Gardens, Flare Point and the beautiful Gorgonia Wall.
Wednesday: Dive the Cod Hole, enjoy the resident family of large Potato Cods. More possible dive sites are Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Challenger Bay and perhaps Pixie Wall. This evening we cruise into Watson's Bay on Lizard Island and stay there overnight.
Thursday: After breakfast, go ashore on Lizard Island, board the aircraft for your low level flight over the reef back to Cairns. Arriving back at Cairns airport at approximately 11:00 am, bus transfer back to your Cairns city hotel.

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Due to light aircraft weight restrictions, your total luggage weight is limited to 20 kg (45 lb) per person. All bags must be soft sided. Please note that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence may change in accordance to the weather and the accessibility.

Ribbon Reefs/Cod Hole & Coral Sea
The combination of the 2 trips is ideal, as you get to dive both areas.
Monday to Monday no flights = no weight restrictions! No return to Cairns, instead time to explore Lizard Island and Watsons Bay on Thursday morning.
For detailed itinerary please download the pdf file

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With two compressors on board they make sure there are always enough full tanks. The diving is mostly done from the dive deck, but there are two dive tenders which can be used to dive from as well. Spirit of Freedom also has electronic stabilisers, which makes her very comfortable also in high seas. Tank fills for Nitrox certified divers (packages see prices list).
Analogue Camera and strobe (Sea & Sea MX10) underwater cameras are available for hire, costs AU$ 55 per day / AU$ 130 per trip (to be paid on board). A digital camera with u/w housing plus CD-burning service for your results are available: AU$ 65/dive or AU$ 105 for a whole day. If you bring you own digital camera, you can use the ship's computer system for downloading and burning of your images (AU$ 35/CD).

PADI advanced dive courses and PADI Nitrox certification courses are offered on request at an extra charge.

Non-divers / Snorkellers are welcome on board (AU$ 100 discount per trip).

Beautiful yacht - excellent diving - great crew and food. The Ocean View Cabins on the upper deck are our first recommendation. Cabins on lower deck are also comfortable and spacious.