Live Aboards - Mike Ball 3 Day Ribbon Reefs

On this fantastic 3 day itinerary you are able to dive with a family of giant potato cod, maori wrasse and a moray eels at the world famous Cod Hole. It also takes in the Great Barrier Reefs turquoise chain of ribbon reefs with pristine coral gardens, excellent for macro and fish photography. The trip allows for 11 dives over 3 dive days, either from the vessel or from the two inflatables.

SpoilSport is one of the best appointed liveaboard vessel operating to Cod Hole. The 30metre long vessel cruises at 13 knots and accommodates 29 passengers in fully air conditioned comfort. The massive dive deck is superbly set up for diving.

There are 4 accommodation styles:

• Premium cabin - double bed with private bathroom & oceanviews
• Standard cabin - twin beds with private bathroom & oceanviews
• Club cabin - twin bunk-beds with private bathroom
• Budget cabin - twin bunk-beds with shared bathroom

Departures

• Monday morning all year round

Itinerary

• Monday: Check-in 7:00am at Cairns Cairns Colonial Club. Transfer to Cairns airport for flight to Lizard Island - fly over the magnificent Great Barrier Reef to Lizard Island where you will meet up with SpoilSport. Commence diving around 12.30pm. Explore the rarely dived Cod Wall at the outer reef edge that disappers into 60 metres/ 120 feet. Glide back towards Cod Hole & the large Potato Cod that live there. Explore the rich biodiversity of Challenger Bay from spectacular coral gardens & unusual critters through to large schooling fish.
• Tuesday: Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Pinnacle, Andy’s Postcard,Clam Beds & Vertical Gardens. Circumnavigate Pixie Pinnacle & Lighthouse Bommie shrouded in fusiliers & baitfish. Magestic Minke whales are seen here in June & July. See spectacular giant clams at Clam Beds as well as caves, canyons & coral encrusted bommies awaiting exploration. Sheer walls covered in whip corals & sea fans brim the natural amphitheatre of Vertical Gardens.

• Wednesday: Flare Point, Joani’s Joy, Steve’s Bommie. Spiral majestic coral pinnacles teeming with life. Join the big eye trevally and barracuda as they school around Steve's Bommie. Anticipate spectacular coral gardens, spotted rays, reef sharks & green turtle sightings.
• Thursday: Early morning docking at Marlin Jetty. 8.00am courtesy transfers back to your Cairns City accommodation.

Weather & natural events may cause sites to improve or deteriorate over time and as such Mike Ball reserve the right to vary this itinerary in order to provide the best quality diving

Inclusions

• 3 nights accommodation onboard
• All meals while onboard (prepared by the chef onboard)
• Up to 11 dives
• Complimentary soft drinks or glass of wine with evening meal
• Free Reef Ecology certificate course
• Low level flight to Lizard Island

Optional Extras

• Dive equipment rental - $40 per person per day
• PADI Advanced course
• Camera hire is also available onboard

Cancellation

• More than 90 days prior to date of departure: forfeit A$100
• Less than 90 days: forfeit 30% of trip fee
• Less than 60 days: forfeit 50% of trip fee
• Less than 30 days: forfeit 100% of trip fee

Note: Flying After Diving

The surface interval between the night dive completed at 9:00pm and flying at 9:00am is 12 hours, which meets the DAN minimum requirement of 12 hours. An additional safety feature is that Skytrans Airlines endeavours to fly at or below l000ft, weather and flight conditions permitting. Some aircraft are pressurised to sea level.

Cost

Rates Valid 01 Apr 2011 to 31 Mar 2012	Per Person
Premium Cabin Extra Charge* Total Price	$2235 $18 $2253
Standard Cabin Extra Charge* Total Price	$2037 $18 $2055
Club Cabin Extra Charge* Total Price	$1801 $18 $1819
Budget Cabin Extra Charge* Total Price	$1547 $18 $1565
*Extra Charge: The additional fee of $18 per person includes a Government Environmental Management Charge. This fee is paid onboard direct by passengers to Mike Ball.
Rates In Australian Dollars And Inclusive Of GST
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