Description
Boat
Spoilsport was custom built to provide superb dive liveaboard trips and great guest facilities, it measuring 30m in length, 10.5m in beam. This liveaboard yatch has a twin hull design which maximises stability and passenger comfort in all conditions, it is Australia’s most awarded liveaboard dive boat.
Spoilsport was belongs to the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Company, and this company has been running liveaboard dive expeditions since 1969 and provides trips from Cairns to the Coral Sea with weekly departures. And it is the only dive boat running trips to the Coral Sea to offer solo diving and rebreather services.
Spoilsport have everything you need for a comfortable, enjoyable liveaboard dive expedition: The top deck is all about passenger comfort, with its spacious lounge and saloon opening out to the exterior sun deck, while the middle deck houses all passenger accommodation and the dive deck.
Relax in the spacious lounge / bar inside, or head up to the sun deck and enjoy the view over the Coral Sea. The award-winning food and service caters to all dietary requirements, the chef prepares all meals fresh and vegetarians are well-catered for with their own dedicated menu.
Cabin
Spoilsport contains 14 comfortable cabins, most of them are with ocean views. It can accomendates 28 guests on board：
All cabins are air-conditioned, equipped with wardrobe and under-bed storage.
Most of cabins are with private bathroom, only budget cabins needs to use the shared bathroom.
4 Premium Cabin (#3, #4, #9, #10) ：
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with a double bed, ensuite bathroom, seaview window.
4 Standard Cabins (#5, #6, #7, #8) ：
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with twin single beds, ensuite bathroom, seaview window.
4 Club Cabins (#11, #12, #13, #14) ：
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with twin single beds (bunk style), ensuite bathroom.
2 Budget Cabins (#1, #2) ：
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with twin single beds (bunk style), use one shared bathroom between each other.
Diving
- 3 - 4 dives per day, depends on the itinerary.
- Only 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
- 1 - 2 dive(s) will be provided on the day of embarkation.
- No dive will be provided on the day of disembarkation.
- All divings are self-guided with buddy teams.
- Safety guides are assigned to those divers who are at risk or to assist.
- Nautilus LifeLine Marine GPS will be provided to divers.
Other Informations
- Nitrox：Available with additional cost
- 15L Tanks：Available with additional cost
- REBREATHER Dive：Possible, divers must bring own unit.
- Technical Dive：Available with additional cost
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available, rate on request
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ：Complimentary for all guests
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment
- Payment on board：Cash (AUD only), credit cards (VISA, Mastercard)
- Crew Number：12, include 3 dive guides
Itineraries
3 Night Cod Hole & Ribbon Reef
Departs：Cairns > 07:00am
Returns：Cairns > 08:00am
Includes：12 (including one night dive) in Great Barrier Reef
Description：
Our best selection of Ribbon Reef dive sites north of Cooktown. Suitable for all experience levels. We frequent the best sites on the Ribbon Reefs north of Cooktown. The selection includes Cod Hole, Lighthouse Bommie, Gotham City, Pixie Wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Coral Kingdom, Cracker Jack, Clam Beds, Steve’s Bommie, Goggle Gardens and Summer Bay. Spectacular low-level Great Barrier Reef flight from Cairns to Lizard Island.
4 Night Coral Sea & Ribbon Reef
Departs：Cairns > 8:30 am to 04:00pm
Returns：Cairns > 11:45 am
Includes： 14 dives (including one night dive) in Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea
Description：
Our best selection of Coral Sea dive sites at Osprey & Bougainville Reef; max out on viz; wall diving, pelagics & sharks. Our best selection of Coral Sea dives at Holmes, Bougainville & Osprey Reef. Max out on visibility, big fish & sharks. Dive the Ribbon Reefs including Steve’s Bommie, Goggle Gardens and Clam Beds. Spectacular low-level Great Barrier Reef flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. For alternative itinerary see standard itinerary in Expedition Details.
On Coral Sea expeditions we offer 3 shark dives: a shark observation dive, a shark feed and a private shark shoot. You will get near enough to admire these amazing creatures, from the glint of their silver sandpaper skin to the ampullae on their snouts and be able to look right into their eyes as they swim past.
7 Night Cod Hole + Coral Sea
Departs：Cairns > 8:30 am to 04:00pm
Returns：Cairns > 8:00 am
Includes： 26 dives (including 2 night dives) in Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea
Description：
Combines the 3 & 4 Night expeditions, making a fantastic and varied loop. This itinerary does not include a scenic flight. You can explore Lizard Island mid-expedition. Weather permitting, our best selection of Coral Sea dives at Holmes, Bougainville and Osprey Reef plus a selection of Ribbon Reef dive sites.
On Coral Sea expeditions we offer 3 shark dives: a shark observation dive, a shark feed and a private shark shoot. You will get near enough to admire these amazing creatures, from the glint of their silver sandpaper skin to the ampullae on their snouts and be able to look right into their eyes as they swim past.
Minke Whale 3,4 and 7 Night (June/July)
Departs：Cairns > 11:30 noon
Returns：Cairns > 12:00 noon
Includes：
3 Nights (10 dives, including 2 night dives), 4 Nights (12 dives, including 2 night dives), 7 Nights (22 dives, including 4 night dives)
Description：
Minke Whale Expeditions run from mid-June to mid-July. It is a truly remarkable moment when these big, beautiful whales slowly approach you and glide gracefully past. As you come eye to eye with these amazing marine creatures you’ll realise just how privileged we are to share the ocean with them.
These tours are strictly seasonal, to coincide with the whales’ migration. Swimming with Minke Whales is a strictly controlled activity. Guests must follow crew instructions at all times.
Dive Seasons
May - August : May through August is mostly sunny and clear of rain, although the south-easterly trade winds can be a bit stronger at this time. Air temperatures range from 15°C/ 60°F to around 26°C/ 79°F. The water will be at its coolest, dropping to around 24°C/ 75°F, but generally offers great visibility. In the months of June and July, you can encounter and swim with dwarf minke whales on the Ribbon Reefs, after they migrate from the Antarctic seas to the warmer waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
September - December : September through to December sees the water warm up, with generally clear sunny days and light winds. Many coral reef species breed at this time, with the coral spawning en-masse in October and/or November. Manta rays are commonly spotted in the Coral Sea from April to October. The air temperature at this time ranges from 20-32°C (68-90°F) and the water temperature usually averages 27°C/80°F.
January - April : January through April is a wetter season, with tropical monsoon weather bringing amazing feeding and marine action, plus a great opportunity to see juvenile fish following the breeding season. Manta rays are also commonly spotted on the Great Barrier Reef at this time. The air temperature ranges from 23-32°C (74-90°F) and the water temperature averages 29°c/84°F.
More
| Destinations | Australia |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Nitrox support, Sidemount Friendly, Rebreather Friendly, Tech Friendly, Camera Station, Nautilus GPS, Wi-Fi |
| Languages spoken | English |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- VAT and local taxes
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage with dinner
- Soft drinks
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
- Wi-Fi
Not included
- Marine park fees & Port fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Alcoholic beverage
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Nitrox fills
- Dive courses on board
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Australia
Best time for diving
No matter where is your destination, Australia offers great diving all year round.
The Great Barrier Reef : The best is from May - December. Manta rays and hammerheads usually visit the Coral Sea from April to September, In June and July divers can swim with the Dwarf Minke Whale around the Ribbon Reefs. Green turtle mating happens between late October to February. Coral spawning usually occurs in early November approx. from the 2nd and 6th day after the full moon.
Neptune Islands - Great White Cage Diving : Best time is in late autumn till winter (April into June) for the highest shark reliability and the largest female sharks. Between September and May you can dive with the sea lions, also have higher chances of seeing mako sharks, bronze whaler sharks while looking at the Great Whites from the ocean floor cage.
About temperatures
Air - The Great Barrier Reef : winter months are between 18°C - 25°C, summer months are between 23°C - 29°C.
Sea - The Great Barrier Reef : winter months are between 24°C - 26°C, summer months are between 27°C - 29°C.
Air - Neptune Islands : winter months are between 12°C - 17°C, summer months are between 15°C - 23°C.
Sea - Neptune Islands : winter months are between 15°C - 17°C, summer months are between 18°C - 19°C.
Wetsuit Recommendation
For the Great Barrier Reef liveaboard, we recommend a 3mm full wetsuit in the warmer months (Nov – Feb) and a 5mm full wetsuit in the cooler months (Mar – Oct).
For watching the Great White sharks in Neptune Islands, we recommend a 7mm full-length wetsuit with hood and maybe a vest all year round.
Diver requirement
For the Great Barrier Reef is suitable for all levels, however, nearly all the liveaboards in this region do not offer divemaster to led, all dives are self-guided with buddy team (complimentary orientation dives and deep briefs will be provided), so divers should be confident enough to make the dive. Otherwise, you may need to hire a private guide.
For watching the Great White sharks in Neptune Islands, if you use only the surface cage, then you can be a non-diver. If you want to go down 20 meters to the ocean floor, then OW certification is required.
You can find out more informations about diving in Australia here : Australia
Embarkation / Disembarkation
The Great Barrier Reef trip : Guests need to fly in/out from Cairns Airport (CNS). On the embarkation day depends on the liveaboard you chose, our agent will tell you the details.
For watching the Great White sharks in Neptune Islands, please find information on Rodney Fox, under the Itineraries section - "How to get there" for details.
Visa Requirements
Travellers of all nationalities, except citizens of Australia and New Zealand, must have a valid visa before they to travel to Australia. Please refer to Visa Requirements for details. Certain passport holders may be able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the Australian ETA app. Further information can be found at: Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
Vaccinations
People who are one year of age or older must hold an international yellow fever vaccination certificate if, within six days before arriving in Australia, they have stayed overnight or longer in a declared yellow fever infected country.
Money Matters
The local currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD), Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Unionpay are widely accepted.
Drones
Drones can be brought into Australia with pre-registration. To apply for registration please visit Travelling with your drone in Australia for more details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
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