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3 Day/ 3 Night Cod Hole Liveaboard
dive trip |
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Departs
every Monday
at 12.00 noon. |
Returns every Thursday
at 12.00 noon (Flight). |
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The 3 day/ 3 night
(3 diving days) dive adventure on board Spirit
of Freedom will take you to the famous Cod Hole and Ribbon
Reefs of the GBR. The 'Ribbons' are 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. |
| Coral formations
vary from beds of huge plate corals to isolated pinnacles sustaining
an amazing display of fish life, to walls and channels for the
perfect drift dives as well as caves, canyons and shallow coral
gardens. Divers can expect to encounter the enormous giant
clams, golden gorgonian fans, and clouds of colourful
tropical fish, as well as cruising pelagics, moray eels, green
turtles, reef sharks and the giant Napoleon Wrasse |
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Dives on the outer Great Barrier
Reef |
| Dives at the world famous 'Cod
Hole' - home to a family of giant potato cod. |
| Dives on the remarkable chain
of 'Ribbon Reefs' with varied topography featuring coves with
expansive beds of plate corals to isolated pinnacles - home to
clouds of colourful tropical fish. |
| Experience wonderful coral
gardens displaying an abundance of both hard & soft corals
supporting a wealth of fish & invertebrate life. |
| The 'Ribbons' are
a photographers dream. |
| Average depth of
dive sites is 25m-30m (80'-120'). |
| Most dive sites
have coral to within 2m (6') of the surface making it ideal for
snorkelling as well as scuba diving. |
| Average visibility
on this section of the GBR is 15m-20m (45'-70') |
| The waters are
generally sheltered; although some current may be experienced
at dive sites situated close to the narrow 'passes' between reefs
on certain tides. |
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WHATS INCLUDED |
| Transfers to and
from Cairns accommodation |
| Low level scenic
flight - Cairns to Lizard Island |
| Opportunity for
11 dives |
| 3 diving days |
| Chef prepared meals
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| Australian wines
with evening meals |
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EXTRAS |
| Gear Hire |
| PADI Advanced Course
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| Underwater Photography
Course |
| 
Nitrox Course
|
|
Nitrox fills |
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SAMPLE INTINERARY |
| Monday.
Boarding Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf (complimentary
transfers from Cairns city hotels are available) for a 12 noon
departure. Lunch will be served on board while we cruise to the
Great Barrier Reef to the north of Cairns, for an afternoon orientation
dive and a twilight or night dive |
| Tuesday.
Today we dive Steve’s Bommie, on Ribbon Reef #
3. This is an isolated pinnacle that rises from 100 feet at its
base to around 15 feet from the surface. Colourful antheas and
a vast array of fish cover this bommie, while big eye trevally
and barracuda hang out in the blue. Look for nudibranch and stonefish.
Today we may also dive the Clam Gardens, where giant clams up
to three feet across will amaze you. Some of our other favourite
sites in this area of the Ribbons include Flare Point and the
beautiful Gorgonia Wall. |
| Wednesday.
This morning we will dive the Cod Hole. This is a popular dive
site famous for it’s resident family of large Potato Cod,
(Groper). Good opportunity for photographers. We may also dive
Dynamite Pass, possibly as a drift dive, well known as a channel
for sharks cruising from the Coral Sea to the Barrier Reef. This
afternoon we may dive Lighthouse Bommie, where Golden sea snakes
are frequently sighted. In the spring months this site is also
a Manta Ray cleaning station. Other sites we may visit today include
Challenger Bay and Pixie Wall. This evening we cruise into Watson’s
Bay on Lizard Island where we will overnight in the lea of the
island. |
| Thursday.
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you have the opportunity
to go ashore and explore Lizard Island. At 10:30am you will board
a twin-engine light aircraft at Lizard Island for your low level
flight over the reef back to Cairns. Arriving back at Cairns airport
at approximately 12:00 noon, the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach
will meet you for your transfer back to your Cairns city hotel |
| Please note
that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the
sequence may change. Access to the Cod Hole and the Coral Sea
is weather conditional and while every attempt will be made to
keep to the advertised itinerary, the Coral Sea and specific sites
on the Great Barrier Reef are not guaranteed. |
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| We are glad to
offer large discounts off the RRP
prices for all bookings on-line. These are shown on our
booking form. |
| A deposit is required
at time of booking, with the balance paid 30 days prior to departure.
|
| Please
check availability with us prior to booking. |
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