Spirit of Freedom - 3 Day Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs

Destination Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs
Duration 3 Day Itinerary, up to 11 Dives

Departing Cairns 12:00 noon Monday
Returning Cairns 11:30 am Thursday

Trip Includes

Transfers to/ from Cairns city accommodation
Low level reef flight – Lizard Island to Cairns
3 nights – 2 ½ dive days
Opportunity for up to 11 dives
En-suite cabin with daily service
Chef prepared meals
Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals

Includes return flight from Lizard Island over the reef

Special note: Due to light aircraft weight restrictions, your total luggage weight is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person. We request that bags be soft sided.

Sample Itinerary

Monday: Boarding Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf (complimentary transfers from Cairns city hotels are available) for a 12 noon departure. Lunch will be served on board whilst you cruise to the Great Barrier Reef to the north of Cairns, for an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive.

Tuesday: Today you’ll dive Steve’s Bommie, on Ribbon Reef # 3. This is an isolated pinnacle that rises from 100 feet at its base to around 15 feet from the surface. Colourful antheas and a vast array of fish cover this bommie, while big eye trevally and barracuda hang out in the blue. Look for nudibranch and stonefish. Today you may also dive the Clam Gardens, where giant clams up to three feet across will amaze you. Some of the other favoured sites in this area of the Ribbons include Flare Point and the beautiful Gorgonia Wall.

Wednesday: This morning you’ll dive the Cod Hole. This is a popular dive site famous for it’s resident family of large Potato Cod, (Groper). This site offers a good opportunity for photographers. You may also dive Dynamite Pass, possibly as a drift dive, well known as a channel for sharks cruising from the Coral Sea to the Barrier Reef. This afternoon you may dive Lighthouse Bommie, where Golden sea snakes are frequently sighted. In the spring months this site is also a Manta Ray cleaning station. Other sites that you may visit today include Challenger Bay and Pixie Wall. This evening cruise into Watson’s Bay on Lizard Island where you’ll will overnight in the lea of the island.

Thursday: This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you have the opportunity to go ashore and explore Lizard Island. At 10:00am you will board a twin-engine light aircraft at Lizard Island for your low level flight over the reef back to Cairns. Arriving back at Cairns airport at approximately 11:00am, the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will meet you for your transfer back to your Cairns city hotel.

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

Rates (01st of July 2008 through to 30th of June 2009)

Ocean View Deluxe Cabin AU$1950.00
Ocean View or Stateroom AU$1775.00
Double or Twin Share Cabin AU$1525.00
Quad Share Cabin AU$1250.00

Rates (01st of July 2008 through to 30th of June 2010)

Ocean View Deluxe Cabin AU$2050.00
Ocean View Standard or Stateroom AU$1850.00
Double or Twin Share Cabin AU$1850.00
Quad Share Cabin AU$1300.00

Cabins
Please note that all cabins onboard have private ensuites.

1 x Ocean View Deluxe: Very large cabin, with double bed, wardrobe, 2 bed side tables, desk, Flatscreen TV and DVD
1 x Ocean View: Smaller cabin with double bed, wardrobe, 1 bedside table, Flatscreen TV and DVD
1 x Stateroom: Very spacious cabin with queen bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, 2 bedside tables, Flatscreen TV and DVD
5 x Double or Twin: Double bed with single over, wardrobe, 1 bedside table
1 x Twin share: Bunk beds with king single under, single over, wardrobe
2 x Quad share: 4 single beds, bunk style, wardrobe

Additional Charges:
(Valid to 30 June 2009)

Full gear hire (including dive computer) AU$100.00 per person
Marine Park Levy & Management fee AU$15.00 per person
PADI Advanced course AU$190.00
PADI Nitrox Course AU$190.00
3 Day Nitrox package AU$75.00

On Board Fees – Marine Park and Fuel Levies:

A $15.00 per person per trip fee applies to all passengers entering the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which includes $13.50 Environment Management Charge (EMC)
From 04th of August 2008 a fuel surcharge of $60.00 pp will apply and is subject to fluctuation without notice

Notes:

Non Diving Passengers, please deduct $100 off the 3 & 4 trip rate and $200 off the 7 day rate
Sole occupancy available at 2 person rate less $250 (n/a quad share cabin)
Ocean View Cabins and Stateroom cabins contain double bed only and rates are based on double occupancy.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Medical & Travel Insurance

All passengers are strongly advised to purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance policy that includes
(i) Trip Cancellation insurance, and
(ii) Evacuation & Medical cover for Scuba Diving.
Please be aware that Scuba Diving and in-water activities are not covered by all Travel Insurance companies.
Please read the wording of your policy carefully.
NOTE: In a Medical Emergency any evacuation, vessel relocation or medical expenses are the financial responsibility of that diver.

Close Window

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |