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Spirit Of Freedom
4.8
134 reviewsAbout
The tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef harbour an ecosystem rich in marine diversity and exquisite natural beauty. Join Spirit of Freedom for your choice of a three, four, or seven night expedition to world renowned diving destinations of the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs, and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea.
These unique ecosystems showcase an amazing diversity from picturesque coral gardens crowned with delicate anemones and colourful reef fish to the 1,000 metre walls of the volcanic atolls of the Coral Sea, home territory for reef sharks, whalers, schooling hammerheads, mantas, schools of barracuda and mackerel, and massive red and yellow soft corals.
Spirit of Freedom is one of Australia's most comfortably appointed live-aboard dive vessels, with three decks of living space, generous cabins with private bathroom, and all the amenities of a hotel, complimented by first class meals and outstanding service. Departing out of Cairns every Thursday, the seven day expeditions offer a combination of the best sites on the Ribbon Reefs and also Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Shorter three or four day itineraries are also available, including a flight into or out of Lizard Island to start or end your tour.
What's Available
18 featuresClimate Action Business Certified by Ecotourism Australia
Available Tours
7 Day Cod Hole and Coral Sea
Join Spirit of Freedom for seven days and nights to dive the two amazing eco systems of the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. You will visit the world famous Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs, where you will encounter the giant potato cod, masses of tropical fish, anemones, and magical corals gardens. You will also travel out to remote Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, renowned for crystal clear water and sheer walls that descend thousands of metres. Here you will find massive soft corals, manta rays, schools of pelagic fish, and one of the world best shark dives. This tour is suitable for mid to advanced level divers, and is inclusive of up to 26 dives, spacious en-suite cabins, and gourmet Australian style meals.
3 Day Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs
Join Spirit of Freedom for three days and nights to dive the world famous Cod Hole and Ribbon reefs. Departing from Cairns, Mondays at 12pm, you dive the outer reefs from Cairns this day, before travelling north to the turquoise coral chain of reef, aptly named the Ribbon Reefs. You will spend the next two days exploring coral gardens, canyons and isolated pinnacles. You will encounter a resident family of giant potato cod, clouds of colourful tropical fish, anemones, and various amazing tropical marine creatures. Also suitable for snorkellers, this tour is inclusive of up to 11 dives, accommodation in en-suite cabins, chef prepared gourmet meals, and low-level flight from Lizard Island to Cairns. Return to Cairns approximately 11.30am on the Thursday.
4 Day Coral Sea
Join Spirit of Freedom for four days and nights to dive the Ribbon reefs and Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Your tour begins with a one hour flight over the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns to meet Spirit of Freedom at Lizard Island, before sailing to the top of the Ribbon Reefs to dive sites such as 'Pixie Piannacle' and 'Lighthouse Bommie'. You will also dive the remote Osprey Reef with 1,000 metre walls, massive soft corals, and one of the world's most incredible shark dive. The last day you will dive the Ribbon reefs, before returning early morning on the fifth day. This tour is suitable for mid to advanced level divers, and is inclusive of up to 15 dives, spacious ensuite cabins, gourmet meals, and the flight to Lizard Island.
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Reviews & Ratings
Matthew Coelho
Google review
We’ve just returned from doing the 7-day trip during Minke whale season and had the BEST time. This trip exceeded our already sky high expectations of diving in the Great Barrier reef and our first liveboard and that’s largely due to the fantastic crew aboard the Spirit of Freedom. Captains Tony and Rafa and the full team: Leo, Taylor, Rens, Lily, Cindy, Fernanda, Murray, Chinami, David, and Christin were nothing short of exceptional. The diving was fantastic. Due to weather conditions, we ultimately couldn’t make it out the Coral Sea, but they planned wonderful backup plans, no repeated dive sights and kept agile throughout to ensure our safety and enjoyment. As advanced-certified, but newer divers, we felt SO supported and relieved that there was both a mix of divers’ experience and a very flexible, supportive setup from the Spirit of Freedom team. At all times, they had multiple instructors in the water, a look out above and a super organized process recording everyone’s returns from dives. Not only did we have an incredible time, but we feel so much more confident as divers afterward. The boat itself is very comfortable and the team ensures we’re so well taken care of - biggest shoutout and THANKS goes to Murray for being an exceptional (and accommodating) chef. The meals were out of this world every day. We will 100% be back thanks to the incredible dives but most of all - to this team - that works together so seamlessly that it should be a case study taught elsewhere.
Blake Harris
Google review
We had an incredible four-night experience on the Spirit of Freedom. This is a true dive-focused liveaboard—four dives a day on the Great Barrier Reef, with a crew that makes the entire operation feel seamless. What stood out most was the crew. We were up to 10 hours offshore for part of the trip, and safety was clearly their top priority at all times. At the same time, they were constantly working behind the scenes—setting up gear, keeping the boat spotless, coordinating dives—while still making time to engage with guests and even dive alongside us. It’s honestly impressive how they keep everything running so smoothly. The dive operation itself is extremely well run. James gave clear, detailed briefings before every dive, often using presentations on the main cabin TV, which made it easy to understand conditions and plans. Captain Tony brought great energy and clearly put in serious work navigating the long overnight crossings (10+ hours) out to Osprey Reef, even in rough conditions. The rest of the crew really rounds out the experience—Fernanda brought constant energy and kept the whole group engaged throughout the trip, Lily was a fantastic dive master underwater and one of the hardest workers on board, and the whole team created a fun but professional environment. Food is also a highlight—you’re basically eating all the time. Huge credit to Joost, the chef, who somehow delivers excellent meals out of a very small galley. My wife is vegetarian and the only one on board with that diet, but he still put real thought into every meal she had. That level of attention didn’t go unnoticed. If your goal is serious diving with a professional, hardworking, and genuinely welcoming crew, this is an easy five stars.
Lennaert van 't Loo
Google review
I normally don’t write reviews, but this has to be one of the best trips of my life. The dive sites were incredible, we saw an amazing variety of marine life, and the crew was absolutely fantastic. (I did the 7-day liveaboard.) I want to give a special thank you to: David (Instructor): For showing me wonderful sights I would never have found on my own, from Nemo fish hotels to incredible corals. Also, wanna thank him for being an amazing underwater photographer/videographer and for taking so many great photos of me. ;) Fernanda (Instructor): For bringing the happiest vibes on board throughout the entire week. She especially shined during the dive briefings, getting everyone ready to dive, and of course, trivia night! Zara (Instructor): For her absolutely amazing energy all week and for introducing me to many of my new favourite sea animals. Lily (Instructor): For sharing so much knowledge about the different marine life and teaching us what to look out for underwater. Leo (Trip Director): For leading the trip so professionally and making everything run so smoothly. Taylor, Tony, and Rens: For safely driving all the boats. Murray (Chef): For cooking an absolute feast about five times a day. I don't think I've ever eaten this much in my life, but everything was just so incredibly tasty. It was amazing to watch the whole team work together to create such an unforgettable experience. Thank you all for making this such a special trip!
Harry Chan
Google review
Amazing crew and well organized liveaboard. It’s my first liveaboard and was kinda scared as it would also be my first time diving without a guide. I worried too much - they took safety very seriously. They made sure you could set up your SMB and know how to use the lifeline on the first check dive. If you are not comfortable, you can always follow an instructor. Even though they say you are on your own, they will pair you up with someone with similar level/ air consumption and it went very well. You will also bump into instructors during the ride - thanks David for taking great shots for me and my buddy when we saw a potato cod. Also good to have a Taiwanese crew on board! The food was amazing - very comparable to a decent resto on land, or even better. Shoutout to Javiera for her amazing culinary skills and I wonder how she could make such a variety of food in the small kitchen on board. What a pity that we could not go Osprey Reef this time due to uncontrollable weather conditions. Next time! All in all - worth your money and time with the amazing crew! Can’t recommend enough!
楊翰傑
Google review
Just got back from an amazing trip on Spirit of Freedom. The Great Barrier Reef was incredible, but the boat itself really made the experience super comfortable and everything ran so smoothly. A huge thanks to the crew, especially David. Being from Taiwan, it was great to have someone so professional and helpful on board. He used his Mandarin to make sure all the Mandarin speakers were well taken care of, which made a big difference for us. It was already a 10/10 trip, but having David there made it even better. Highly recommend this boat if you're heading to the reef!
Get in touch
Where you'll be
319 Draper Street
Cairns QLD 4870