Mike Ball 7 day Spoilsport Barrier Reef dive Safari

9-16 November 2023

My first Mike Ball trip was in 2021 - I was due to go again on 2022 but Covid had other ideas. This will be long awaited and very exciting. We’ve chosen November as this is the best time of the year for Osprey Reef.

In a nutshell….

Excellent levels of service - great food and wine and incredibly helpful dive staff (I really hadn’t expected to be spoilt rotten.…) Stunning diving - dive all day if you want to. Gin clear water out at Osprey Reef with one of the best shark dives you’ll ever do. Up to 26 dives over this 7 day trip (not a lot else to do so you may as well get wet!) Small cabins (but you’re hardly in them). Good coffee; a well organised dive deck, excellent dive briefs and an incredibly supportive and enthusiastic crew. Dives are guided or you can choose to do your own thing. Everything from the amazing pelagic and shark life out at Osprey to the biodiversity and barrage of colour in the soft coral wonderland of Crackerjack and Steve’s Bommie on the Ribbon Reefs.

26 dives - Ex Cairns from $4868 (5% VIP discount will be applied to all previous Mike Ball divers)

The Great Barrier Reef, has over 900 small islands and coral cays, 3,000 stand-alone reefs, more than 1,500 species of fish and over 200 bird species, this vast area makes up the most extensive coral reef system in the world, it’s not surprising that this is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and a World Heritage Site.

Located about 96 kilometres north of Cairns, lies a string of long narrow reefs numbered from 1 to 10, known as the Ribbon Reefs. The Cod Hole is the most well-known dive site and is home to a group of very friendly potato cod, reaching up to 100 kilograms. These giant fish approach divers quite closely, and can be hand fed at the site. Coral pinnacles and drop offs attract large pelagic fish and a wide variety of marine life. Other significant sites include Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Pinnacle and Steve’s Bommie. I hope also to dive “Crackerjack” - one of the most prolific dive sites I have ever encountered.

This stunning eco system has so much to offer, infamous dive sites include; Osprey Reef, an old volcanic atoll lying 220 kilometres off the coast in the Coral Sea. ‘North Horn’ at the tip of Osprey is a world-famous shark feeding site where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the occasional oceanic whitetip congregate. The area is renowned for spectacular 1,000 metre walls, massive soft corals, amazing shark action and exceptional visibility. Dive sites can include Bougainville Reef. This coral sea safari expedition combines adventure diving in the Coral Sea with the best of the Great Barrier Reefs Ribbon Reefs.

Some photos from our 2021 5 day Spoilsport adventure.

7 Night Coral Sea Safari ( 9 TO 16 NOV 2023)

DEPARTS Cairns 06.00pm Thursday 9th November 2023 

RETURNS Cairns 08:00am Thursday 16th November 2023

 We have 20 spaces available - the cabin allocation is :

2 x Club Cabins ( 4 passengers )

4 x Standard cabins ( 8 passengers )

4 x Premium Cabins ( 8 passengers)

 

7 night package includes :

* 7 nights’ accommodation aboard Spoilsport

* Delicious meals & snacks, complimentary soft drink or wine with evening meal (no dinner on Thursday evening)

* Opportunity for up to 26 dives with tanks/weights

* Reef ecology programme

* Dive computer workshop

* Courtesy transfers are provided from the vessel to the Mike Ball office, inner city hotel locations and the Cairns Domestic and International Airports.

Not included:

* A fuel levy may be applicable

* The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority requires all visitors to pay an Environmental Management Charge of $7.00 per day spent on the Great Barrier Reef. This amount will be added to your on board bar bill.

* Gear hire & Nitrox

 Note:

* Experience : Advanced, or 15 logged ocean dives incl. 5 in last 12 months.

* We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight.

Itinerary - sample itinerary (subject to change based on conditions.

 Thursday 9th Nov 2023:  

  • Check in at our office (3 Abbott St, Cairns) between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.

  • From 4:30 pm: Make your own way to Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf (200m from MBDE office) to meet your fellow passengers. Please note that dinner is not provided on the first evening so you may wish to eat before boarding.

  • 5:50 pm: Our crew will lead you from Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf to board Spoilsport. Enjoy a glass of champagne and light snacks while your Trip Director provides a full briefing.

  • 6:00 pm: Spoilsport departs Cairns.

  • Time to organise any rental equipment and put your dive gear together on the dive deck.

 

Friday 10th Nov 2023 :  (4 dives + night dive) This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

  • 6:30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room

  • 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences

  • 9:00 am: Full cooked Breakfast

  • 10:30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm

  • 2:00 pm: Lunch

  • 3:30 pm: Dive brief & diving

  • 4:30 pm: Afternoon Tea

  • 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive

  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

Saturday 11th Nov 2023:  (4 dives + night dive)

  • As per above.

Sunday 12th Nov 2023: (4 dives)

  • As per above, however all diving is finished by 5pm. Spoilsport moors off Lizard Island for the evening.

  • As the sun sets we pour the champagne, lay out the nibbles and get ready for an Aussie BBQ party night. Don’t forget to wear your loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along to music played by our talented crew.

 

Monday 13th Nov 2023:  (2 dives + night dive)

  • 7:00 am: Light breakfast

  • 8:00 am: Bid farewell to passengers doing the 4 night Fly Dive Coral Sea Expedition who will disembark here.

  • 8:00 am: Stay on board or take a tender over to Lizard Island to stretch your legs and explore a little of this beautiful island.

  • 11:00 am: New passengers join us here. Drinks and light snacks provided.

  • 12:45 pm: Dive brief and dive

  • 2:00 pm: Lunch

  • 3:45 pm: Dive brief and dive

  • 4:45 pm: Afternoon tea

  • 6:00 pm: Dive brief and night dive

  • 8:00 pm: Dinner

 

Tuesday 14th Nov 2023: (4 dives + night dive)

  • As per Friday, above.

 

Wednesday 15th Nov 2023 : (4 dives)

  • As per above. Exit last dive 5pm.

  • As the sun sets we pour the champagne, lay out the nibbles and get ready for a final farewell party!

  • Overnight cruise to Cairns

 

Thursday 16th Nov 2023:

  • 7:00 am: Light breakfast

8:00 am:  Disembark and courtesy transfer to Cairns inner city hotels, the airport or our office where we can store your luggage until 5pm if you have a later flight.

 

MIKE BALL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mike Ball Dive Expeditions require all participants to be fully vaccinated in order to join any tours or activities.

For any passengers who are medically exempt from vaccination, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions will require a letter from your medical doctor advising/confirming medical exemption.

On departure day and prior to boarding, please ensure you –

• Provide a copy of your vaccination certificate.

• Either a) Complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24hrs before boarding or b) not required if you were covid positive within past 12 weeks.

   Both a & b require either, a time-stamped photo or proof of being covid positive.

• Anyone testing positive will not be permitted to board and will be advised to follow local health directives for further testing and the latest advice.

• The above applies to both guests and crew.

 

What happens if I do test positive on board?

• You will be required to isolate to your cabin and be monitored.

 

We understand that a positive result is both disappointing and inconvenient, however the health and safety of all concerned is extremely important.

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance that covers covid-related issues at least 21 days prior to travel.

These should include but not limited to, protection against evacuation from vessel, relocation, hotel/accommodation isolation, flight cancellation and or changes.

Interested…..?

Booking  Link & Deposit :

To secure your place on the trip , please complete the online booking form and confirm your deposit of $750.00 pp

 

Additional payment instalments will be due prior to departure.

2nd payment : Due 1st May 2023 :  30% of booking

Final Balance due : 1st Sept 2023