Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Fly Dive Coral Sea

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Four nights on the liveaboard Spoilsport, diving the sheer walls and shark sanctuary of Osprey Reef and the caves of Bougainville Reef far out in the Coral Sea, then a low-level flight home over the Great Barrier Reef from Lizard Island. Up to 14 dives, for experienced divers.

Days

5 days, 4 nights

Age

Adult divers; not suitable for junior divers

Group size

Shared liveaboard, 14 cabins

Start / finish

Cairns / Osprey and Bougainville Reefs / Lizard Island / Cairns
Cairns, around 11:45am

Return

Cairns, around 11:45am

Accommodation

4 nights in a cabin on the liveaboard Spoilsport

Transport

Dive boat from Cairns, light aircraft from Lizard Island back

Meals

All meals and snacks on board except the first dinner; wine with dinner

Route

Map of Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Fly Dive Coral Sea

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Included experiences

North Horn, Osprey Reef — controlled shark feed with dozens of reef sharks
Osprey Reef walls — drift and wall dives over drops of around 1,000 metres
Dungeons & Dragons, Bougainville Reef — caves, tunnels and swim-throughs
Antonio Tarabocchia — 1961 cargo ship wreck with resident potato cod
Scenic flight — an hour low over the reef from Lizard Island to Cairns

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Fly Dive Coral Sea

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CAIRNS, EVENING DEPARTURE

Check in at the Mike Ball office in central Cairns any time during the day and leave any spare luggage there. Eat dinner in town, because none is served on board tonight. In the early evening you meet the group and walk aboard Spoilsport, a 30 metre twin-hulled liveaboard built for Mike Ball in 1989, for champagne, light snacks and a full briefing from the trip director. Then the boat sails, and while you set up your gear on the dive deck she heads out overnight beyond the Great Barrier Reef into the Coral Sea, where the Coral Sea Marine Park, declared in 2018, covers close to a million square kilometres.

Overnight: On board Spoilsport, crossing to the Coral Sea

DAYS 2 AND 3: OSPREY AND BOUGAINVILLE REEFS

Days start with a light breakfast and a first dive at 7am, and you can do up to four dives plus a night dive. The weather decides which sites you visit. Osprey Reef is a shark sanctuary whose walls fall to about 1,000 metres, with visibility often 35 to 40 metres. At North Horn a controlled shark feed draws dozens of grey reef, whitetip and silvertip sharks, and a second shark dive lets you watch them without the feed. At False Entrance look for gorgonian fans, barracuda and the odd hammerhead, while Western Wall is a drift dive with dogtooth tuna.

Bougainville Reef is named for the French navigator Louis de Bougainville, who met these reefs in 1768 and turned away from the coast of Australia. Here you may dive the wreck of the cargo ship Antonio Tarabocchia, which struck the reef in 1961 and still shows its engine block and propeller, guarded by resident potato cod. Dungeons & Dragons is a maze of caves and tunnels on the reef top above another deep wall.

Overnight: On board Spoilsport, Coral Sea

DAY 4: LAST DIVES AND BBQ NIGHT

One more day out in the blue, with up to four dives on the Coral Sea reefs. With no limit on bottom time from the open dive deck, this is the day to go back to your favourite site, or hang off a wall and watch for pelagics passing in the deep water. Diving finishes by late afternoon, which leaves 24 hours before any flight home. At sunset the crew pour champagne for the Aussie BBQ party night, so bring a loud tropical shirt or dress. Overnight Spoilsport cruises back towards the coast to Lizard Island.

Overnight: On board Spoilsport, cruising to Lizard Island

DAY 5: LIZARD ISLAND TO CAIRNS BY AIR

After a light breakfast you leave the boat at about 8am, and the crew walk you to the airstrip on Lizard Island, which Captain Cook named in 1770 for its monitor lizards, and where the Australian Museum has run a research station since 1973. The light aircraft takes off mid-morning for an hour-long, low-level flight of about 250 km back along the coast, with the reef on one side and the rainforest on the other. You land in Cairns before midday and are dropped at your inner-city hotel, the airport or the Mike Ball office, which can hold your bags until 4pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Check in at the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office, Abbott Street, central Cairns, between 8:30am and 4pm on Thursday. Boarding is from Trinity Wharf in the early evening; you meet the group at 5:30pm.
Finishes: Cairns Airport around 11:45am on Monday, after the flight from Lizard Island, with a transfer to your inner-city hotel, the airport terminal or the office.
Suits: Experienced divers only: Advanced certification, or at least 15 logged ocean dives with 5 in the last 12 months. Dives go to 40 metres in open ocean, and the trip is not suitable for snorkellers or junior divers.
Fitness: You must declare medical conditions when you book; some need a doctor's dive medical. Spoilsport is not built for divers who can't move around the boat on their own. Briefings are in English only.
Accommodation note: Spoilsport has 14 cabins: Premium (double or queen bed, ensuite, ocean view), Standard (twin beds, ensuite, ocean view), Club (bunks, ensuite) and Budget (bunks, shared bathroom). All are air-conditioned, and the twin-hull boat is designed to keep seasickness down.
Please note: The Coral Sea is most reliably reached from September to January; in strong winds the boat moves to sheltered Great Barrier Reef sites instead. Luggage on the light aircraft is limited to 28 kg each including hand luggage, in soft bags of no more than 20 kg; spare luggage can be stored at the office. Allow 24 hours between your last dive on Sunday and any flight home.

What to bring

Quick-dry towel for the dive deck
Refillable water bottle
Reef-safe sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
Long sleeves and pants for cooler evenings
A loud shirt or dress for BBQ night
Soft-sided bags only, for the light aircraft

What is included

4 nights on Spoilsport in your chosen cabin type, twin or double share
Up to 14 dives, with tanks, air fills and weight belt
All meals and snacks from the first breakfast, with wine and soft drink at dinner
Scenic low-level flight from Lizard Island to Cairns
Nautilus Lifeline GPS on loan for every dive
Reef ecology talks and a dive computer workshop
Daily cabin service
Transfer to the airport, your Cairns hotel or the office at the end

Not included

Dinner on the first evening
Environmental Management Charge of about $8.50 per person per day, added to your bar bill on board
Dive gear hire, nitrox and dive courses
Drinks from the bar
Private dive guides

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the 4-night Fly Dive Coral Sea trip. Heavy wind meant we didn't reach Osprey and Bougainville reefs, but the crew picked great sites for the conditions. Knowledgeable, friendly staff, five-star food with separate vegan meals for me every sitting, and comfortable cabins. We'll be back.

Tunde Dennehy Verified· Travelled 17th September 2024

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(5/5)

Our 4-night Coral Sea expedition went beyond our expectations. We stayed in a clean, spacious premium queen cabin, reached Osprey Reef with over 70 metres of visibility, and loved the shark feed at North Horn. Kristy's briefings were clear, the food was varied, and the free photos and last-night party were great.

Elaine Xu Verified· Travelled 24th December 2022

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(5/5)

I took a chance on the Fly Dive Coral Sea trip and got lucky. The office patiently answered all my questions, and when the tail of a cyclone stopped us reaching the usual spots, Captain Trevor and crew worked the charts every day to keep us safe and still find amazing dives. As a fairly new diver I was well supported, Claire's galley fed us brilliantly, and the low flight back from Lizard Island was breathtaking.

Tommy G Verified· Travelled 18th February 2019

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(5/5)

We did a Coral Sea liveaboard over Easter. Cyclones changed the plan, so we headed out to Holmes and Bougainville reefs, and the diving was fantastic with a very professional crew. The highlights were the shark feed dive, up close with countless sharks, and the low flight back over where we'd been diving.

Edwin Kwan Verified· Travelled 9th May 2015

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