We offer discounts on the prices shown, for all Mike Ball trips.
Contact us for details of discounts on the prices shown!
Monday and Thursday departures
Spoilsport is one of the longest running, and the most awarded dive liveaboard offering 3, 4 and 7 night expeditions to the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea. Spoilsport offers an open dive deck, and is very relaxed. “Spoilsport” lives up to its name.
Trips depart Mondays (3 night Ribbon Reef Cod Hole) and Thursday (4 night Coral Sea and Ribbon Reef). Fly one way and motor the other. 7 day trips depart Thursdays.
Enjoy spectacular biodiversity on the northern Great Barrier Reef including the world famous Cod Hole. For exciting big fish action, shark encounters and excellent visibility, venture out into the remote Coral Sea.
Spoilsport is Australia’s most awarded dive liveaboard, custom built for diving and with a twin-hull design that maximises space, stability, and comfort. Plus Mike Balls dive procedures allow greater freedom for divers with an ‘open dive deck’ policy resulting in no restrictions on bottom time.
Premium – queen or double bed, private bathroom, ocean views.
Standard – twin beds, private bathroom, ocean views.
Club – twin bunk beds, private bathroom, no ocean view.
Budget – twin bunk beds, share bathroom, no ocean view.
Details of the vessel layout and cabin types click here.
3 day / 3 night Cod Hole – 12 dives
Fly / Dive Monday departure 7am
Departs every Monday 7am
Returns every Thursday 7am
For travel route map click here
Monday:
06.30 – 07.15 am check-in Mike Ball Office (3 Abbott St, Cairns).
07.15 Transfer to Cairns airport for an 8am 1 hour flight to Lizard Island
Board Spoilsport mid morning for your tour briefing
12.45 first dive briefing and dive
2.00pm Lunch
3.45pm Dive brief and dive
4.45pm Afternoon Tea
6.00pm Dive brief and night dive
8.00pm Dinner
Tuesday:
There will be 4 dives + 1 night dive. The sites may include Pixie Pinnacle and Lighthouse Bommie shrouded in fusiliers and baitfish. Fluorescent purple and orange anthias attract predatory fish to these photogenic sites. Majestic Minke whales are seen here in June and July.
Andy’s Postcard is encrusted in hard corals, lion fish, nudibranchs, octopus, schooling trevally and barracuda. See spectacular giant clams at Clam Beds as well as caves, canyons and coral encrusted bommies awaiting exploration.
Sheer walls covered in whip corals and sea fans brim the natural amphitheatre of Vertical Gardens. Marine life varies from the many colourful nudibranchs to large schooling bump head parrotfish.
Wednesday:
There will be 4 dives with all dives finishing at 5pm. The dive sites may include Flare Point offering unspoiled coral reef and marine life with a diverse range of coloured tropical fish. Joanie’s Joy is a wall dive with scattered bommies, anemones, turtles, Lion Fish. Steve’s Bommie a photographer’s dream with an incredible quantity of diverse marine life. Sun set champagne and nibbles followed by an Aussie BBQ party night. Commence cruise back to Cairns.
Thursday:
Early mooring docking
07.00am light breakfast
08.00 Disembark and courtesy transfer to city accommodation, airport or to Mike Ball offices to collect any stored luggage.
4 day / 4 night Coral Sea – 14 dives
Fly / Dive
Departs Thursday 6pm
Returns Tuesday 7am
For a travel route map click here
Thursday: 8:30-4pm check-in Mike Ball Office (3 Abbott St, Cairns). 4pm make your own way to Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf (2oom from Mike Ball office) to meet passengers. Dinner is not provided on the first evening, you may wish to eat before boarding. 5:50 board Spoilsport and enjoy a glass of champagne and light snacks while the Trip Director provides a full briefing. 6:00pm Spoilsport departs, dive gear is organised and cruise overnight to the magnificent Ribbon Reefs
Friday: There will be 4 dives plus 1 night dive.
Saturday: There will be 4 dives plus 1 night dive.
Sunday: There will be 4 dives with, exit dive at 5pm. Sunset champagne and nibbles followed by an Aussie BBQ party night. Overnight cruise two Lizard Island
Monday: 7am night breakfast and by 8am disembark Spoilsport and walk with the crew to Lizard Island airport for your scenic flight back to Cairns (1 hour)
09.30 board your light aircraft
11.45 Land Cairns airport for your courtesy transfer back to city accomodation or Mike ball offices to collect your luggage.
7 day / 7 night Cod Hole – 26 dives (this 650 mile expedition explores 3 unique regions: remote Coral Sea, the far Northern Reefs & the suburb Ribbon Reefs
2021 Departure dates: 3rd June & 14th October
Departs Thursday 6pm
Returns Thursday 7am
For a travel route map click here
Thursday: 8:30-4pm check-in Mike Ball Office (3 Abbott St, Cairns). 4pm make your own way to Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf (2oom from Mike Ball office) to meet passengers. Dinner is not provided on the first evening, you may wish to eat before boarding. 5:50 board Spoilsport and enjoy a glass of champagne and light snacks while the Trip Director provides a full briefing. 6:00pm Spoilsport departs, dive gear is organised and cruise overnight to the magnificent Ribbon Reef.
Friday: 4 dives + night dive, Remote Coral Sea
Where: Bougainville: Dungeons & Dragons; Crystal Plateau; MV Antonio Tarabocchia.
Saturday: 4 dives, Remote Coral Sea
Where: Osprey: Admiralty; False Entrance; North Horn
Sunday: 4 dives + night dive, Far Northern Reefs
Where: TMO (Three Mile Opening); Creech Reef
Monday: 3 dives + night dive, plus Stanley Island indigenous artwork excursion. Far Northern Reefs
Where: Stanley Island, Aladins Cave; Pirates Cove
Tuesday: 4 dives + night dive, Ribbon Reefs
Where: Cod Hole; Pixie Pinnacle; Gotham City.
Wednesday: 4 dives, Ribbon Reefs
Where: Cracker Jack; Clam Beds; Steve’s Bommie.
Sunset champagne and nibbles followed by an Aussie BBQ party night. Commence cruise back to Cairns.
Thursday: 7am night breakfast and by 8am disembark Spoilsport for a courtesy transfer to city accomodation
Covid Note: Proof of vaccination is no longer required, however a negative rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required 24 hours prior to boarding.
Contact us prior to booking to check availability and ask us about any current discounts running.
Prices are in AUD and exclude the Reef tax of $7 per person per day.
Fuel levy of $44 per person is applicable on 7 day Safari trips.
Full payment will be taken at the time of booking
Prices valid until March 31st 2025
NOTE: Special trips operate throughout the year. See here for schedules.
Solo travellers: Mandatory sole occupancy surcharge of 70% applies