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The Great Barrier Reef is a broad chain of 2,900 individual reefs and is the Earth's largest structure built by living organisms, being clearly visible from space. It is an ecosystem of unsurpassed marine diversity and presents the diver with a vision of exquisite natural beauty. Beyond the continental shelf that harbours the Great Barrier Reef, lie the isolated reef systems and crystal clear waters of Australia 's Coral Sea . This is home territory for huge schools of pelagic fish and sharks in an undersea world of mountains, pinnacles and sheer walls laced with gorgonian fans and rising from thousands of feet below.
It is to these destinations that the live aboard "Spirit of Freedom" will take you to discover what diving dreams are made of. With 3, 4 and 7 days itineraries, you can enjoy some of the worlds best diving almost from your arrival at Cairns International airport.
At 120 feet, the Spirit of Freedom is one of Australia 's largest live-aboard dive vessel. She features three decks of spacious comfort including sun deck, lounge and bar, dining saloon, and huge dive deck. Equipped with electronic stabilisers, silent generators, and fully air-conditioned throughout, the Spirit offers smooth and comfortable cruising.
Be prepared for an amazing range of diving experiences on Spirit of Freedom's 7 day/ 7 night Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea adventure.
If the luxury of time is not on your side, Spirit of Freedom also offers 3 and 4 day tours, both of which include a one hour low level flight over the Great Barrier Reef between Cairns and Lizard Island.
The 3 day/ 3 night dive adventure on board Spirit of Freedom will take you to the famous Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs, finsihing with the scenic reef flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. This itinerary takes you to see the very best of the Great Barrier Reef and is a must do for divers of all experience levels and macro-photgraphers.
Spirit of Freedoms' 4 day /4 night dive adventure offers a tantalising taste of both the Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Commencing with the scenic reef flight, you will be delivered to the boat at Lizard Island to start your diving at sites such as the Cod Hole, before overnight travel to the spectacualr Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea
While the diving may be out of this world, the facilities and service on board Spirit will complete your ultimate liveaboard experience.
Spacious double or twin share cabins, all with private en-suite, make a comfortable retreat at the end of your day's scuba diving. Delicious chef prepared meals can be enjoyed throughout the day and complimentary Australian wines are offered with dinner. The sun deck is always a popular spot in bewteen dives, and a great location to watch the sunset on our BBQ nights. There is a comprehensive marine library,DVD movies, wide screen, and a fully stocked bar for relaxation after diving. Nitrox fills, camera hire, and CD downloading are also available on board.
A multi-talented and professional crew will look after your in and out of water needs on board Spirit of Freedom. The dive team are experienced locals who are only too happy to share their extensive reef knowledge as well as a little 'Aussie' good humour.
The first part of your 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 colourful reef fish. The Cod Hole lies at the top of the Ribbon Reefs, and is home to a family of resident Potato Cod (Groper). These diver friendly fish will amaze you with their sheer size and seeming eagerness to pose for camera.
You will also venture out 120 miles offshore to Osprey Reef in the oceanic wilderness of Australia's Coral Sea. Here 3,000 ft 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, whaler sharks, schooling hammerheads, mantas, plus schools of barracuda, big eye trevally, and mackeral.
Guest Comments
"Hi paula,
I want to write to let you know what a FABULOUS trip I had this past week (apr 16-19) on SOF! I had spent sat/sun on another liveaboard and got off feeling unsure about scuba safety (it was sort of a sketchy boat) and didn't really want to go on the 3 day cod hole trip anymore, but as soon as I got on the SOF I knew I would be fine. I really, really think that it was the best trip it could have possibly been! The crew were absolutely fabulous--Annika and Matt helped me with my ear equalization difficulties and helped me conquer my fear of night & mooring line dives and really made the trip extra special. I know that SOF is more expensive than other boats (i almost didn't book with you because of it, but I did after my dive instructor from Sydney reiterated what a good boat/company it is) but it was worth EVERY PENNY. Things that made you stand out were:
* Annika taking our dive/medical histories before even touching the water so she knew where everyone was at beforehand, in case of any problems
* extra safety measures, like the extra tank at 5m and for night dives glow sticks on our tanks and the mooring line
* having 2 dive masters/instructors in the water on all dives
* the professionalism and courteousness and friendliness of the staff
* knowing each day what the schedule was and what dives sites we were going to (posted on the board)
* FRESH & HEALTHY food: salads, veggies, fruit (with lots for vegetarians to eat)
* The staff, the staff, the staff!!! everything they did was fabulous: bringing water, tablets and brown bags to sick people, helping us sort out their underwater problems, taking our fins on and off before getting in the water, showing us new things under water, sitting around after dives helping us write down in our logs what we saw... Harry was super fantastic (sorry to see him go), and steve--how cool is he for a 16 year old!! I have friends my age way less mature and responsible than him! i felt like i was at summer camp with super fantastic counsellors!!! I really can't say enough good things about the staff.
In sum, i felt really safe (very important!) and really well looked after (very nice!!) on board the SOF and I have been and will continue to highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who will listen (i've only been back in sydney since this morning and i've already given out your brochure to the concierge guy at my apartment who thinks he might go!).
So anyway, i just want to let you know what a great experience it was and how happy i am with the SOF!
Happy diving,
Kate " April 2007
"Hi Paula
Axsel and I have just returned to the Gold Coast at the end of our holiday
which included our trip on the Spirit of Freedom. We had a fantastic trip
which exceeded all our expectations. The crew were totally professional and
must be commended on all their efforts from guidance during the dives to
cleanliness of the Spirit of Freedom to prepartion and quality of the meals.
Abi did an outstanding job as trip director and it is unfortunate that she
has left the Spirit of Freedom but i wish her well in whatever she does in
the future.
We will certainly consider doing another trip with you guys again.
Kind Regards,
David Mifsud
Burleigh Town QLD 4220"
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