OSPREY REEF- TEMPTATION AWAITS ABOARD THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM
DIVE INFORMATION
Stretching more than 2300 km along the coast of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is a complex ecosystem of around 2900 individual reefs. In the remote northern sector 10 string shaped coral reefs, collectively called “The Ribbon Reefs’, provide some of the most stunning tropical reef scuba diving in the world. Lying within the protected green zones of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, sites such as Steve’s Bommie offer rich marine biodiversity and endless macro photography opportunities.
Hundreds of kilometres beyond the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Coral Sea harbours the undersea remnants of ancient volcanoes. Here, the diver is presented with sheer walls laced with massive soft corals and gorgonian fans that plummet 1000 metres to the ocean floor. These isolated reefs, including Osprey and Bougainville Reefs are home territory for huge schools of pelagic fish, manta rays and sharks and are also renowned for their crystal clear water. Diving the remote regions of the Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea requires you to join a live-aboard scuba diving tour.
The Spirit of Freedom is one of Australia’s most comfortable and well-appointed live-aboard dive vessels. At 37 metres in length, with three decks of living space, generous cabins with private bathroom, the Spirit of Freedom offers all the amenities of a hotel, complimented by first class meals and outstanding service. A large dive deck with nitrox and photo facilities, houses every convenience to ensure comfort, safety and freedom in your diving.
TRIP DATES
To be Confirmed
PRICE
Dorm Accommodation- $1,925 per person- 1 available
Twin or Double Accommodation- $2,200 per person- 4 available
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Transfers to/from your Cairns city hotel
One way flight – Cairns to Lizard Island
Opportunity for up to 15 dives
En-suite cabin with daily service
Chef Prepared meals
Australian wines and soft drinks with evening meals
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
Flights to and from Cairns
Travel Insurance
Personal spending monies
Accommodation in Cairns on the nights of the 8th April & 13th April 2015.
ITINERARY
Thursday: Around 7:30am this morning the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will transfer you from your Cairns hotel to Hinterland Aviation at Cairns Aviation Airport. From here you will board a twin-engine light aircraft for your scenic flight up the coast to Lizard Island. The Spirit of Freedom crew will greet you on arrival and escort you via tender to the vessel. After an orientation of the vessel, we depart for Ribbon Reef Number 10. This afternoon we will have the opportunity for two dives at a choice of sites including Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Gardens and Pixie Pinnacle. We depart in the evening for a 10 hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
Friday & Saturday: Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are renowned for their crystal clear water with visibility ranging from 30- 100 metres. The landscape is amazing with sheer walls laced with gorgonians, sea whips and bright yellow soft corals, rising from the ocean floor thousands of feet below. ‘North Horn’ is a dive site at the tip of Osprey and is a site where grey reef sharks, silvertips and the occasional oceanic congregate. You can also experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. You will have the opportunity to dive 4 to 5 dives each day, including a night dive on Friday. On Saturday night we will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.
Sunday: At Ribbon Reefs Number 3,we will dive such sites as the sensation Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom and Flare Point. A second option for this day, in special weather conditions, is to head south from Osprey to Bougainville Reef, which is known for its unusual underwater landscape or caverns and its partially submerged wreck. On Sunday evening we will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
Monday: We arrive back into Cairns at 06:30 am. Enjoy a light breakfast on board and there will be a group photo opportunity before being dropped back to your Cairns Hotel around 08:00am.
PADI SPECIALITIES SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP
Advanced Open Water (perfect for this trip)
Under water Navigation
Enriched Air /Nitrox
Deep Diver
Digital Underwater Photographer
Underwater Photographer
Underwater Videographer
Search and Recovery
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Underwater Navigation
Dry Suit Diver
Shark Awareness
Underwater Naturalist
This is the perfect way to complete a specialty course as you have already paid for the dives!!
HOW TO BOOK
Download the booking form attached to the page. Complete the required fields, scan and email to [email protected].