Posted April 29, 2008
 Scuba Shack is planning a once in a lifetime trip for New England divers. When it is mid winter here in the Northeast, why note plan a trip south - below the equator - to dive the world-renouned Great Barrier Reef off Australia's northeast coast and enjoy what the Coral Sea has to offer?
Diving
Be prepared for an amazing range of diving experiences on our seven day, seven night Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea adventure.
Sleek, stylish and spacious, the "Spirit of Freedom" is one of Australia's largest live-aboard dive vessels and offers the best in cruising comfort to the far northern Great Barrier Reef and remote Coral Sea reefs.
The first part of the dive expedition will be on The Ribbon Reefs - a string of 10 coral reefs stretching over 100 miles to the north of Cairns. Awaiting you are picturesque coral gardens and isolated 'bommies' crowned in delicate corals, anemones, and colorful reef fish. The Cod Hole lies at the top of the Ribbon Reefs, and is home to a family of resident potato cod. These diver friendly fish will amaze you with their sheer size and seeming eagerness to pose for the camera.
We will also venture out to Osprey Reef in the oceanic wilderness of Australia's Coral Sea. Here 3,000 foot walls emerge from the ocean depths and the water is so astoundingly clear that divers appear suspended in air. You will see massive red and yellow soft corals, reef sharks, schooling hammerheads, mantas, plus schools of barracuda, big eye trevally, and mackeral.
The facilities and service on board Spirit of Freedom will complete the liveaboard experience. Spacious cabins, all with private en-suites, make a comfortable retreat at the end of a day of diving. Delicious chef prepared meals can be enjoyed throughout the day and complimentary Australian wines are offered with dinner. The sun deck is a popular spot in between dives, and a great location to whale watch during the day and the sunset on BBQ nights.
Liveaboard Expedition, with 2 Nights in Cairns
Click here for information in PDF format.
| Dates |
Feb. 8 - 17, 2009
Note, you'll need to depart the US on Feb. 6 to arrive Feb. 8. |
| Price |
$3,199 per person, double occupancy |
| Deposits/Payments |
$200 due at booking, $1,000 due on July 1 and the balance of $1,999 due Nov. 1. |
| Includes |
One night in Cairns (4 star accomodations) prior to Monday's noon departure on Spirit of Freedom.
Spirit of Freedom returns to Cairns Monday morning. Stay in Cairns one night.
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| Not Included |
Airfare: We can help you book air or provide information concerning award seats on Star Alliance and OneWorld partners - call us!
Visa Issuance for entry into Australia.
Meals while in Cairns.
Shuttle transfers to and from the airport. |
| Boat Itinerary |
Day 1: Board Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf for a noon departure. Lunch will be served on board while we cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive.
Day 2: Today we may dive the amazing Steve’s Bommie, Clam gardens, Flare Point and the beautiful Gorgonia Wall and other sites on middle Ribbon Reefs.
Day 3: This morning we will dive the Cod Hole. This is a popular dive site famous for its resident family of large Potato Cod, (Groper). We may also dive Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Challenger Bay, and Pixie Wall. This evening we overnight at Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island.
Day 4: Check out Lizard Island in the morning. This afternoon we will have the opportunity for two dives at a choice of sites such as the Cod Hole, Pixie Pinnacle and Challenger Bay before departing in the evening for the Coral Sea.
Days 5 & 6: Osprey Reef. Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are renowned for crystal clear water with average visibility in excess of 100 feet. Two days can be spent diving at Osprey Reef, including North Horn, well known for its shark action. You can expect to see grey whalers, silvertips, reef sharks, occasional hammerheads, schooling barracuda, trevally, and other pelagics. The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, rising from thousands of feet below.
Day 7: Still in the Coral Sea, weather depending we will dive Bougainville Reef or return to the Ribbon Reefs to dive sites such as the sensational Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. On Sunday evening we will cruise overnight back to Cairns
Day 8: Arrive Cairns approximately 6:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served on board and hotel transfer will be arranged for approx 7:30 a.m. |
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