Spoilsport, Dive vessel, Great barrier Reef, Australia Spoilsport offers exciting 3,4 and 7 night expeditions to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea from their new base in Cairns.

The short itineraries include a scenic flight between Cairns and Lizard Island which give you unforgettable views of the Great Barrier Reef.

Spoilsport is certainly one the most comfortable luxury dive vessels in Australia. Spoilsport offers diving.

Vessel

The Spoilsport has an excellent reputation among Australian dive cruises and she has earned it. Food, accommodation and dive deck organization satisfies even the most demanding divers. Spoilsport takes a maximum of 29 divers on board.

There is plenty of space for everybody on this spacious three-story luxury catamaran.

Accommodation

The Spoilsport has cabins in different price categories in either twin or double configuration.

Spoilsport , Premium cabin , Dive boat, Coral Sea, Australia The best cabins are the "Premium" cabins with double bed and private ensuites. There are large "Standard" twin cabins with big windoiws and their own private bathrooms, and "Club" twin cabins (over and under bunk beds) with private bathrooms and the "Budget" cabin with shared bathroom facilities.

    * Premium Cabin: 4 cabins with double beds, private baths and a window. 2 of 4 cabins have an extra single bed over the double bed.
    * Standard Cabin: 4 twin bedded cabins (with side by side beds) and window. Each cabin has large windows and its own ensuite bathroom.
    * Club Cabin: 4 twin cabins (with over and under bunk beds), no window. Each cabin has its own ensuite bathroom.
    * Budget Cabin: 3 twin cabins (with over and under bunk beds), no window with share bath.

 Dive Sites

Osprey, Holmes and Bougainville Reefs are parts of the Northern Coral Sea. Each of them has individual characteristics which we would like to explain:

Osprey Reef This reef is certainly one of the best in the Coral Sea, it is our favourite reef in the area. Osprey is the most northerly Coral Sea reef, being 350 km away from Cairns. There is a deep-water lagoon in the middle of Osprey Reef, which is great for safe anchorage. There are vertical walls that rise up from more than 1000 metres (3300 feet) to just below the surface! The pelagic action at Osprey is mind blowing. It is a meeting point for the "big guys". The diving here is a real thrill !

North Horn: A dive site at the northern tip of Osprey where two ocean currents converge, this place is famous for its most amazing shark dives. You might see hammerheads, silvertips, grey reefs, grey whalers and white tips, sometimes even ocean going sharks like oceanic whitetip reef sharks, great hammerheads and tigersharks come in for a look! Sometimes operators run controlled shark feeds to counteract the natural reaction of sharks to avoid divers and the results are spectacular! Apart from sharks you also see barracuda, dog tooth tuna, mackerel, various cod species, rainbow runners and some of the most beautiful soft coral, sea whips and huge gorgonians around.

South Horn: Also at Osprey, it has its fair share of sharks as well! If you move along the wall slowly, you find a number of caverns and ledges, covered in pretty soft corals, to explore. Watch out for more reef fish, hiding crabs, colourful nudibranchs and more. During night dives you will see heaps of flashlight fish.

Holmes Reef: Holmes Reef is 240 km away from Cairns. The diving here is typical Coral Sea. Reef sharks and other big fish such as trevally and mackerel come in close to the sheer endless walls. The Abyss is one of the popular dive sites; it is a wall dropping over 1000 meters. The wall is decorated with beautiful soft coral. Another fantastic spot is called Amazing, here you find lots of caves with resident lobsters and other interesting marine life. Most of the caves and swim throughs are located at 10 to 20 meters. Holmes has a very large selection of possible dive sites. Well known for its shark action is a dive site called "predators playground", where sharks get fed regularly.

Bougainville Reef: Dive along beautiful walls rising up from the deep. Huge gorgonians and large soft coral species are to be seen here and, of course, lots of sharks too! Bougainville Reef is very different to Holmes. It evolved from a volcano that rises up from several thousand metres almost to the surface. It offers some fantastic labyrinths with caves, tunnels, canyons, overhangs and some spectacular drop offs. Bougainville Reef is much smaller, than Holmes reef. Trips to Bougainville Reef are very weather dependent. Most of the anchorage sites are not very well sheltered, so it is unprotected and it can be quite rough out here. For this reason, there are only a few trips during the year operating out to Bougainville Reef.

 Itineraries

The new Spoilsport excursions offer 3 exciting itineraries starting in Cairns every Thursday night and Monday morning.

Fly Dive Cod Hole - Southbound    detailed itinerary
3 nights / 3 dive days / 12 dives - Includes 2 night dives
(Monday - Thursday)

Monday
Check-in by 7:00am, Cairns Colonial Club Cairns. Transfer to Cairns Airport.
Spectacular low level 150 mile reef flight to Lizard Island to board Spoilsport.
Dive with giant potato cod, napoleon wrasse, tuna, barracuda and more.
Challenger Bay is extremely rich in biodiversity from spectacular coral gardens and unusual critters to large schooling fish. You get great day and night dives here.
Tuesday:
Dive sites Pixie Pinnacle and Lighthouse Bommie shrouded in fusilier baitfish.
Rising from 80 meters the pinnacle of Andy's Postcard is featuring lion fish, nudibranchs, octopus, schooling trevally and barracuda. Another feature are spectacular giant clams at Clam Beds.
Wednesday
Ribbon Reef 3 - Flare Point, Joani's Joy, Steve's Bommie. Spiral majestic coral pinnacles teeming with marine life. See huge schools of baitfish stalked by barracuda, mackerel and trevally. Over night Spoilsport sails back to Cairns.
Thursday:
Early morning docking in Cairns, breakfast, 8:00am courtesy transfers to Cairns city hotels.

Fly Dive Coral Sea - Northbound    detailed itinerary
4 nights / 3 dive days / 14 dives - Includes 2 night dives
(Thursday-Monday)

Thursday
Check-in and board Spoilsport later at 7 pm.
Cruise overnight to the Ribbon Reefs, the first stop on your 700 km dive odyssey.
Friday
Ribbon Reef 9 - Pixie Gardens, Cod Hole
Dive with giant potato cod, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, tuna and barracuda.
During a night dive you may see decorator crabs, egg cowry shells, moray eels, crayfish and more.
Saturday & Sunday
Coral Sea - Osprey Reef. Cruise 100 miles overnight to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
Fantastic visibility with lots of sharks and spectacular walls disappearing to 1000metres and are typical for Osprey.

Monday
Breakfast on board and transfer to Lizard Island. See the Great Barrier Reef from the air during your low level flight to Cairns.
Return at approximately 11:00am for courtesy transfer to city hotels.

Coral Sea Safari      detailed itinerary
(Thursday-Thursday)
7 nights / 6 dive days - Unlimited diving (approx. 26 dives)

The 7 night trip starts every Thursday and combines the two itineraries above. Instead of the scenic flight, you will have time to explore famous Lizard Island on Monday morning. You also sav e some money on the Thursday departures. This is the ultimate Australian dive experience, giving you the best dive sites in a week!

Rates per Person

3 Day Cod Hole - Budget	$1480
3 Day Cod Hole - Club	$1726
3 Day Cod Hole - Standard	$1958
3 Day Cod Hole - Premium	$2148
4 Day Coral Sea - Budget	$2350
4 Day Coral Sea - Club	$2150
4 Day Coral Sea - Standard	$1925
4 Day Coral Sea - Premium	$1625
7 Day Coral Sea Safari - Budget	$2938
7 Day Coral Sea Safari - Club	$3462
7 Day Coral Sea Safari - Standard	$4018
7 DayCoral Sea Safari - Premium	$4426
Reg, Ocy, Gauges	$15 a day
BCD	$10 a day
Computer	$12 a day
Sknorkel Gear	$ 5  a day
Light/Torch/Cyalume/Safety Sausage (SMB)	$20 a day
Wetsuit	$8 a day
All of the Above	$40 a day

Extra Charges

Nitrox 3 Night Expedition	$75
Nitrox 4 Night Expedition	$75
Nitrox 7 Night Expedition	$150
Fuel Levy	$0
Reeftax EMC	$18 per Trip
Personal Dive Guide	$250 / day (+berth cost for guide) or $50/dive

Dive Procedure and Equipment Rental

Medical fitness

The following statement appears on all Mike Ball Dive Expedition 'Booking Form':

I state that I am in good health for diving. I have no medical history of heart or lung disorders, asthma or epilepsy, neither am I an insulin dependent diabetic. I will not dive on your expedition if I am feeling unwell or I have a chest cold or respiratory congestion on the expedition. I understand if I have any medical condition contrary to these requirements I must produce a diving medical certificate completed by a diving medical specialist.

You are authorized to make medical and transport arrangements as may be determined in my best interest. I agree to pay expenses incurred on my behalf which may be charged against my credit card.

Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol is restricted until after your last dive for the day.

Depth Guidelines

Depth guidelines are based on the diver’s experience and industry standards. The maximum recommended depth for divers with appropriate experience is 40 metres (132ft). Dives in excess of 40 metres (132ft) to a maximum of 50 metres (165ft) can only be undertaken by divers with a minimum experience of 100 dives with 25 deeper than 30 metres (100ft) including one to a depth within 3 metres of dive being undertaken.

Equipment

Dive Cylinders - Approx 2/3 of the cylinders available to guests are 10.3 litres/88cuft and 1/3 are 11.3 litres/88cuft.

Cylinders Valves - Air and Nitrox cylinder valves are compatible with US yoke regulators ( UK A clamp) not the European DIN regulators.

Safety Items - All divers require an alternative air source, safety sausage and whistle. A dive light plus back-up light or chemical light sticks are required for night dives.

Flying after Diving

The Mike Ball 'Fly/Dive' flights are at an altitude of 200 to 300 metres. This does not exceed the '600 metre Flying and Diving ceiling' requiring adherence to the 'Flying after Diving' procedures.

Commercial Flight Considerations: The surface interval between your last dive on Mike Ball Dive Expeditions completed at 5pm and flying out of Cairns (at say 11am) is 18 hours. Read below!

Dive Computer Considerations: Normally on completion of diving at the end of your expedition your computer's 'No Fly' times are less than 18 hours. Wait an appropriate amount of time (as indicated by your computer) before flying in excess of 600m.

Dive Table Considerations: PADI's recommendation after 'multi-day diving' is a minimum pre-flight surface interval of 18 hours.

Guided Dives

Most of our guests prefer to plan and dive independently with their buddy. Single divers are teamed up with other singles and with our staff. It is not our policy for all dives to be divemaster led. We cater to guests who prefer more supervision with a combination of complimentary orientation dives to enhance skills, a scheduled morning and afternoon guided dive and the opportunity to dive with our staff on an ad hoc basis. This service does not provide constant guided dives or a personal dive guide.

Personal Dive Guides

• Daily Dive Guide (4-5 dives per day) - $250/day (+ berth cost for guide)
• Personal Per-Dive Guide (approx 2 dives per day). Available on most expeditions subject to staff availability - $50 per dive.
  

Note: Please request at the time of booking.

Jellyfish

As in all oceans, including the Great Barrier Reef , there are a variety of jellyfish (also known as 'stingers'). The majority of stings that can be inflicted by jellyfish such as hair jellyfish (Cyanea sp.), blubbers (Catostylus sp.) and bluebottles (Physalia sp.) can be irritable to painful but can be prevented by wearing a "Stinger Suit" (available for purchase onboard).

The box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) may be present in North Queensland from November to May/June and are found along the coast and estuaries. These stings can cause fatalities in extreme cases however with the right prevention and medical treatment the risk is minimal. There is a small box jellyfish commonly known as the 'Irukandji jellyfish' (Carukia barnesi) one of a series of species that can give rise to 'Irukandji Syndrome'. Fortunately the stings are rarely life threatening, medical aid must always be sought as soon as possible. Immediate first aid is to wash the area with vinegar and seek medical assistance.

Junior Divers

Age 10 to 14 years (15yr+ junior diver depth limits are the same as the non junior certification)

• Junior Diver Certification, less than 12 years old, not available.
•  Please review Rental Equipment Sizes (we recommended children bring their own equipment),
•  Junior divers requiring supervision are charged a ‘Dive Guide' fee,
•  Participation on some dives may be prevented due to conditions,
•  Junior diver depth restrictions are not compatible with Coral Sea conditions.

Age Depth Conditions:

•  Junior Scuba Diver 10-14 years 12 meters (40ft) Must dive with an instructor. Includes rental equipment (see note above) and one dive per day; extra dives $50 each.
•  Junior OWD & Jnr. Adventure OWD 10-14 years 12 meters (40ft) <12 yrs, first dive with an instructor, subsequent dives with: parent/guardian or Dive Master/Instructor >12yrs can dive with adult (18yrs+).
•  Junior Advanced OW Diver 12-14 years 21 meters (70ft) >12yrs can dive with adult (18yrs+).

Main Vessel or Tender Dives

Most of our dives are from the main vessel while moored over the dive site. Each vessel has two inflatables for more personalized diving plus drift and night dives. The inflatables are large and stable with substantial rear entry ladders.
Nitrox (EANx32)

Nitrox fills are limited to 32% oxygen and a maximum operating depth of 40 meters (132ft). Nitrox divers are required to dive on computer. A complimentary computer workshop is offered to those hiring a computer. FREE Nitrox fills during expedition are included with Nitrox Course.

Rebreather

For full information please read Rebreather Service.
Safe Scuba System

Dive site selection is based on the best dive sites available. Less experienced divers receive complimentary "orientation dives" as necessary while experienced divers are given the freedom to plan their own dives.

Snorkelling
Fly Dive Cod Hole itinerary - Sites are suitable for competent snorkel divers.

Fly Dive Coral Sea itinerary - The first day of the itinerary is suitable for snorkelling. Note: we do not provide suitable sites or supervision for snorkelling in the Coral Sea.

Coral Sea Safari - Snorkelling limited to Ribbon Reef sites, Coral Sea sites not suitable.

Solo Diving

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Safe Solo requirement:
Minimum age: 18 years if dive master certified or 21 years with proof of 100 ocean dives with 5 in the last 12 months.

Equipment Required:

• Redundant air system (minimum 6 cubic feet).
• Safety sausage.
• Dive light on dive if within 2 hours of dusk.
• Dive knife and compass.
  

Rental pony bottle units are available

Skill Evaluation:

• Surface snorkel 100 meters wearing scuba and be familiar with use.
• Demonstrate use of safety sausage.
• Navigate 100 meters at 5 meters with 75% accuracy.
• Hover at 5 meters for 3 minutes, clear mask.
• Slowly surface using redundant air source.

We also offer the SDI Solo Diver certification onboard. 

Unlimited Diving

Most divers do 2 morning, 2 afternoon plus a night dive most nights. Normally we have an ‘open deck’ at a single site in the morning and visit 2 sites in the afternoon - this may be reversed.  This provides divers with the freedom to dive as much or as little as they want.

 

  From $1480.00