The Great Barrier Reef
Diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is an unforgettable experience that offers divers the opportunity to explore one of the largest and most biodiverse coral reef systems in the world. The reef stretches over 2,300 kilometres and is home to an impressive variety of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, turtles, sharks, manta rays and colourful soft and hard corals.
Popular dive sites include Cod Hole, known for its giant groupers, and Ribbon Reefs, prized for its clear visibility and rich biodiversity. Lady Elliot Island offers opportunities to see manta rays and sea turtles up close.
Diving excursions range from day trips by boat to multi-day liveaboard tours that explore remote sections of the reef. The best time to dive is between June and October, when the visibility is clear and the weather remains mild. Beginners and experienced divers alike will find options to explore the reef, from simple taster dives to deep and wreck dives.
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The MV Spoilsport Liveaboard is an award-winning vessel purpose-built to explore the uncrowded dive sites of the Coral Sea. The boat's twin-hull design increases stability and ensures a smooth ride all year round. There are 4 cabin categories on board for different budgets, ranging from budget cabins with bunk beds to premium cabins with double beds and sea views.
The culinary experience on board includes meals prepared by the chef, who works with fresh produce from sustainable resources from land and sea. Many dietary requirements can be catered for, including vegetarian and vegan dishes. Meals are served in the indoor saloon and dining room. On the upper deck is a large sun deck with a semi-shaded area and comfortable loungers.
Guests can enjoy world-class diving on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea aboard the Spoilsport Australia. Itineraries include the 5-night Coral Sea & Cod Hole Tour, the 6-night Yongala & Coral Sea Tour with adventurous dives to the SS Yongala Wreck; Wheeler, Holmes & Flinders
Coral Sea Safari 8D/7N
- Coral Sea: The azure blue and unfathomable waters of the Coral Sea are the playground for sharks and large fish with exceptional visibility. Huge soft coral trees and sea fans will impress you.
- Ribbon Reefs: The potato cod groupers at Cod Hole are a highlight, but it's the rich diversity of fish species and corals that make this section of the Great Barrier Reef so incredible.
- Lizard Island: In the middle of the expedition, our staff invite you on a short excursion to Lizard Island. Step back in time to the ruins of Mrs Watson's Cottage. Walk on a boardwalk through the mangrove swamp and a walk up Chinaman's Ridge offers a marvellous view of the island and the reefs below.
The last dive takes place on the penultimate day of the trip at around 5pm. Divers are advised to wait 24 hours before flying after the last dive.
Coral Sea Exploratory (Cairns - Cairns) 8D/7N
This expedition combines adventure diving in the Coral Sea with the best of the Great Barrier Reef's ribbon reefs.
Far North Coral Sea Exploratory (Cairns - Cairns) 8D/7N
- Bougainville - Spectacular action with big fish on the Crystal Plateau.
Discover the Dungeons & Dragons Labyrinth with its caves & caverns.
Dive at the scattered remains of the MV Antonio Tarabocchia. - Osprey - 2-3 dives to attract sharks, see hundreds of sharks.
Includes passive attraction, shark feeding & private shark photoshoot.
Spectacular topography, visibility and pelagic fish at False Entrance - Far North Reefs - Aladdin's Cave & Pirate's Cove.
The rising currents attract schools of pelagic fish including:
Trevally, barracuda, mackerel, passing tuna & sharks.
Mantas, mobula & eagle rays swim along the continental shelf.
Photograph huge yellow & red soft corals on the deep walls. - Ribbon Reefs - Explore the best fish and coral sites descRibbons.
Meet the fish as big as a diver at Cod Hole.
Dive with moray eels, giant jacks & sharks in Gotham City.
Find the largest clam of the Great Barrier Reef in clam beds.
Various small animals & pelagic fish at Lighthouse, Pixie Pinnacle & Steve's Bommie.
Slideshow Items
Budget Twin Cabin Floor
- 2 single beds (bunk beds)
- En-suite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning,
- 2 guests
Slideshow Items
Twin Cabin Floor
- 2 single beds (bunk beds)
- En-suite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning,
- 2 guests
Slideshow Items
Twin Standard Cabins
- 2 single beds,
- en-suite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning,
- 2 guests
Slideshow Items
Master Cabin
- 1 double bed,
- en-suite bathroom,
- adjustable air conditioning,
- 2 guests
Included:
VAT, harbour dues, local flights, tea & coffee, drinking water, wine with dinner, snacks, full board (all meals), dive packages, shore excursions, naturalist, cabin towels.
Mandatory extras:
National park fees (AUD 7 per day).
Optional extras:
travel insurance, diving insurance, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, rental equipment (44 AUD per day), nitrox (25 AUD per day), nitrox course (310 AUD per item), private diving guide (350 AUD per activity), diving courses (280-310 AUD per item), snorkelling set.
Prices for rental equipment:
Rental equipment is available on this vessel. Please indicate what you need on the booking form. Details below of what is included and the additional prices.
- 15 litre bottles AUD 25 per day
- Regulator 15 AUD per day
- BCD 10 AUD per day
- Fin 5 AUD per day
- Mask 5 AUD per day
- Nitrox refills 25 AUD per day
- Snorkel set 5 AUD per day
- Signal buoy 10 AUD per trip
- Torch 10 AUD per day
- Dive computer 12 AUD per day
- U/W camera hire 40 AUD per day
- Full equipment44 AUD per day
- Wetsuit 10 AUD per day
- Air temperature: Warm all year round with average temperatures between 21.7 °C in July and 27.8 °C in January and February.
- Water temperature: Stable temperatures between 24.0 °C in July and August and 29.0 °C in January and February, ideal for diving.
- Rainfall: Highest rainfall in January (385 mm) and February (480 mm), lowest in August (25 mm).
Cairns is located in north-east Queensland, Australia, directly on the coast of the Coral Sea. It is the most important gateway to the Great Barrier Reef - the largest coral reef system in the world. The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 kilometres along Australia's east coast and consists of:
More than 2,900 individual reefs
900 islands
Lagoons, atolls and sandbanks
Important diving regions in the area:
Outer Reef (Agincourt, Ribbon Reefs)
Cod Hole
Osprey Reef (Coral Sea)
Fitzroy Island, Green Island
Population
Cairns has around 170,000 inhabitants, with a growing population due to tourism.
Multicultural city with an Australian-European core, as well as Asian and Pacific communities.
Strong influence of Aboriginal culture, especially in the Cape York region and around Kuranda.
Religions
Australia is religiously pluralistic:
Majority: Christian (Anglicans, Catholics, Uniting Church)
Growing number of non-denominational people
Minorities: Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Judaism
Religion plays a subordinate role in everyday life compared to other regions of the world.
Economic situation
Cairns is an important tourism centre in Queensland. The economic focus is on:
Ecotourism and diving holidays
Agriculture (e.g. sugar cane, tropical fruit)
Fishing
Aviation & services
Tourism creates tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. International connection through airport and cruise harbour.
Significance for Australia
The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an iconic natural landmark of Australia. Economically, the Reef:
Over AUD 5 billion annually (directly and indirectly)
Employs over 60,000 people
Ecologically, it is a biodiversity hotspot with global relevance - but at the same time severely threatened by:
Climate change
Coral bleaching
Pollution & coastal development
Economic impact of the diving industry, Cairns is one of the largest diving centres in the world, especially for:
Beginners & training (open water)
Liveaboards to remote Outer Reef spots
Snorkelling & day trips for non-divers
The region offers a state-of-the-art diving infrastructure:
Dive schools, boats, equipment hire, accommodation of all categories
Regular environmental protection programmes & reef monitoring (e.g. Reef Teach, Eye on the Reef)
Diving tourism also supports marine parks, research and educational programmes.
Challenges:
Coral bleaching due to ocean warming (especially 2016, 2017, 2020)
Tourism pressure on sensitive reefs near the coast
Need for sustainable practices, e.g. moorings instead of anchoring, tour guides with environmental training
Why Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef are a favourite destination for divers
Largest coral reef system in the world - spectacular dimensions
Over 1,500 fish species, 400 coral species, sea turtles, giant clams, sharks, manta rays
Beginner friendly & challenging dive sites (e.g. Cod Hole, Osprey Reef)
Combination of adventure & comfort - from day trips to luxury liveaboards
Good accessibility through Cairns International Airport
Strong environmental programmes & sustainable tourism approach
Best time for diving: June to November (dry season, good visibility, few jellyfish)