• Scuba diving with the playful Giant Potato Cod fish
• Seeing the Maori Wrasse and the legendary Giant Potato Cod playing with the scuba divers 
• The low level scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef to Lizard Island
• Diving with sharks on the Great Barrier Reef if your brave enough 

Spend 3 spectacular nights on board our dive boat out in the Coral Sea at the famous Cod Hole diving with man sized fish called the Potato Cod and spend time with the puppy like Maori Wrasse.

The Great Barrier Reef, renowned throughout the world for its amazing array of exciting marine life species and colourful coral, will be yours to explore on our 3 night liveaboard dive trip on the most northern reaches of the reef.

Departing on a low level scenic flight from Cairns on a Monday and returning on a Thursday by boat you will be seeing some of the most magnificent marine life and corals in our liveaboard Great Barrier Reef dive tour over the next 3 nights and on your 12 dives.

Whales, (June & July') sharks and man sized Potato Cod fish are just a few of the amazing marine animals that you will see. On this dive trip you will be seeing the Great 8 of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef that Sir David Attenborough keeps talking about in his documentries.  

Dive Boat Accommodation 

14 cabins

• Premium - Queen or double bed, private bathroom oceqn views
• Standard - Twin beds, private bathroom, ocean views
• Club - Twin bunk beds, private bathroom, no ocean view
• Budget - Twin bunk beds, sahr bathroom, no ocean view  

Our liveaboard scuba diving tour offers divers the opportunity to explore the most remote and pristine dive sites you could ever wish to see on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Your dives will include the world famous Cod Hole where you will meet families of giant Potato Cod fish that are as big a human, meet the friendly Maori Wrasse that are playful like puppies and see a host of other amazing dive sites on the surrounding Ribbon Reefs.

 On this dive trip you will soon know why the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia really is ‘Great’!

Cairns - Fly Dive Cod Hole – Great Barrier Reef - 3 Nights/12 Dives 

These will be 12 dives on the Great Barrier Reef that you will never forget. You will see giant Potato Cod, black tip, white tip and leopard sharks, marauding Giant Bumphead Parrotfish and between Dwarf Minke Whale season (June to August) you might be lucky enough to see some passing Dwarf Minke Whales as they migrate, along with some passing Humpback Whales.

You may even have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with the Minkes.

This northern section of the Great Barrier Reef offers perfect conditions with consistent good visibility and low currents to make this an ideal livesboard dive excursion for divers of all levels (dive courses are also offered on this Great Barrier Reef tour ).

Our liveaboard dive expedition offers world-class photographic opportunities for macro and wide angle, with amazing reef formations and an abundance of small critters and large ones offering something for every scuba diver and snorkeller. 

For snorkelers on the Great Barrier Reef there are plenty of nice coral shelfs and abundant marine life to see from every angle.

The Fly Dive Cod Hole scuba dive expedition offers you an extensive experience of everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.

Over the course of 4 days, you will have the opportunity to participate in 12 dives including the world famous Cod Hole and Steve’s Bommie.

You will be on one of the most highly awarded liveaboard dive boats in Australia that is the top word in luxury, designed by divers for divers. 

With special dedicated camera rinse tanks and multi-level camera tables and photo stations with air guns (and plenty of charging sockets), photographer’s needs are well looked after.  

If you wish to extend your dives or just for extra safety – there is also nitrox offered and support is also offered for re-breather divers (subject to stipulations). 

For non scuba divers or people just wanting to hang loose – there is plenty of room to relax in the large lounge or deck areas or to snorkel at diving areas, whilst being fed with amazing food from the top chefs on board.

Diving and courses are available for children 12 years and upwards.  The whole family will be able to scuba dive together!

Departure Dates (current as of 11/11/24):

• 2025 Departure dates: 6th & 13th January SOLD OUT, 20th January, 27th January 1 seat left, 5th May SOLD OUT, 8th & 22nd September, 6th & 20th October, 3rd November SOLD OUT, 15th December

• 2026 Departure dates: 12, 19, 26 January, 27th April, 17th August, 7th, 21st & 28th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 14th & 21st December

Dive Boat Itinerary

Great Barrier Reef - Liveaboard Dive Tour

Beginning with a meet and greet get to know us at 7.00am we then  take everyone to the Cairns General Aviation Airport to catch our flight to Lizard Island.

Our plane will transport you on a low level flight path over the Great Barrier Reef where Captain Cook ran aground, across the massive wreck of the Emily, and along the impressive Continental Shelf of Australia. 

The plane will fly at a low 180m (600ft) , so you will have a wonderful view all along your 150 mile journey so make sure your camera is in hand.

As we head to the famous Lizard Island resort runway you will see the brilliant Blue Lagoon.

Lizard island is a popular hideway from the paparazzi and honeymoon destination for the wealthy and famous folks.

A high outcrop on Lizard Island was the place that Captain James Cook climbed way back in 1770 to try and find his way out of the labyrinth of reefs (Lizard Island lies of off the aptly named Cape Tribulation). 

The naturalist Joseph Banks, after being holed up there due to navigational problems, lamented that he still didn’t have enough time to record the wealth of creatures that he found in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

The biodiversity of the area was amazing then and still is now.  Sir David Attenborough is not shy in promoting the area as one of his most favourite places in the world, saying that not enough people come here to witness it for themselves.

The 88km long chain of reef stretching from Lizard Island to Cooktown is among the most prized and pristine diving sites in the world.

You will have the opportunity to see more species here than at any other sites, as the currents that run between the reefs attract a huge diversity of life. 

Pygmy seahorses, manta rays, whales and 6 of the world’s 7 sea turtle species are known to frequent the area.  

Our Dive Boat

Your liveaboard dive boat will greet you at Lizard Island ready for your scuba diving adventure.

Your home for the next 3 nights is Australia’s most awarded liveaboard dive boat. 

It was designed by divers for divers, allowing passengers to move with ease whether their diving equipment is on or off. 

Extra care has been taken to ensure that photographers and divers every needs are taken into consideration and there are plenty of ‘charge’ points to re ‘juice’ dive lights, camera equipment, computers etc.

To make the journey as smooth as possible we have twin hulls for extra stability – something that those prone to seasickness will be relieved to know.

There is also plenty of room for guests and for the 12 staff that will be travelling and looking after all your needs. 

The crew on board are a highly professional, very experienced team that includes chefs, dive masters and hosts and of course, the boat Captain.

Guest cabins come in a variety of configurations from Double with Queen bed to Twin share. All are air-conditioned and are cleaned and serviced daily just like a floating hotel.

For lounging around, literally, this dive boat is like no other liveaboard. There is a spacious lounge with bar inside where you can unwind and relax. 

There is plenty of room upstairs that leads out to a spacious sun deck, where there is a full view of the Coral Sea and sunbeds if you just want to relax and chill under the tropical sun with a good book (remember the sun cream!).

The Scuba Diving

You will have the opportunity to take 12 dives in one of the most famous dive destinations in the world and explore Australia’s Great Barrier Reef along with all of its 1,500 fish species and 400 coral species. 

The varying currents between the Ribbon Reefs in the area also attract many different types of pelagic animals and large fish populations.

Biodiversity is what The Great Barrier Reef excels in, from the small critters of pygmy seahorses and nudibranches (1001 species!) to the large pelagics such as manta rays and whales there is something for everybody. 

Boasting an amazing 43 types of butterfly fish and 6 out of the world’s 7 main turtle species – you are truly exploring an underwater mecca.

Great Barrier Reef Trip Schedule

Monday : 7.00am you will leave from the tour office in Cairns to be taken to the airport to take your plane to Lizard Island, where you will meet the vessel.

Thursday : You will disembark in Cairns at 8.00am. Courtesy transfers are available to the domestic and international airport, local accommodation or our dive office in Cairns.  

Sample itinerary, subject to change based on conditions.

• Monday:  (2 dives + night dive)
• Check in at our office (3 Abbott St, Cairns) between 6:30 and 7am.
• 7:15 am:  Transfer to Cairns Airport.
• 8.00 am:  Board a light aircraft for a low level flight over the reef to Lizard Island (flight time approx. 1 hour).
• Board Spoilsport mid-morning where you will be served drinks and snacks while our Trip Director gives you a welcome briefing.
• Time to organise any rental equipment and put your dive gear together on the dive deck.
• 12:45 pm: Dive brief and dive 
• 2:00 pm:  Lunch
• 3:45 pm:  Dive brief and dive
• 4:45 pm:  Afternoon tea
• 6:00 pm:  Dive brief and night dive
• 8:00 pm:  Dinner

Tuesday:  (4 dives + night dive)

• This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.
• 6:30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room.
• 7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences.
• 9:00 am: Full cooked breakfast.
• 10:30 am: Dive brief & diving. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm.
• 2:00 pm: Lunch
• 3:30 pm: Dive brief & diving
• 4:30 pm: Afternoon tea
• 6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive
• 8:00 pm: Dinner

Wednesday:  (4 dives)

• As per above. Exit last dive 5pm.
• As the sun sets we pour the champagne, lay out the nibbles and get ready for an Aussie BBQ party night. Don’t forget to wear your loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along to music played by our talented crew.
• Cruise back to Cairns overnight.

Thursday:

• Early morning docking.
• 7.00 am: Light breakfast.
• 8:00 am: Disembark and courtesy transfer to Cairns inner city hotels, the airport or our office where we can store your luggage until 5pm if you have a later flight.

Important:

We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5pm Wednesday).

A luggage allowance applies to the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island:

25kg / 55lb per person plus 3kg / 6.5lb – carry on.
An additional 10kg/22lb is allowed for professional photo/video housed systems.

Our Dive Sites on the Great Barrier Reef

Cod Hole

The Cod Hole is the most famous dive site on the Great Barrier in Australia.  At this site you can dive with man-sized fish that are attracted by the diversity of the coral.

They are known as the Potato Cod, an extremely friendly fish that can reach two metres in length, and weigh up to 100kgs.  They eagerly await the divers arrival and are very sociable and love taking a selfie with you underwater. 

Other famous big fish that might just follow you around like puppy dogs are the Maori Wrasse (who are the size of a large dog) they too are very friendly and love to photo bomb and take a good selfie.

Have you heard about the famous Maori Wrasse called Wally that hangs out at Moore Reef and the Wally on Norman Reef and the George in the Whitsundays?

Yes we all call them Wally as everyone as soon as they get in the water is looking for Wally.   

For all photographers – make sure you have your wide angled lens attached for the shots of these giant fish.

At the Cod Hole you will also find Shark Alley, known for its sleeping white tips and the occasional grey reef shark. 

You will also visit the Snake Pit. At this site on an isolated platform reef, deep sea coral bommies have formed.

Covered in colourful crinoids, the formations attract Olive Sea Snakes, a very curious and complacent species. Sting rays, cuttlefish and sea turtles also frequent the area.  

Challenger Bay and Gotham City

These dive sites form a remarkably diverse area, known for its day time and night time diving. With hard and soft corals, small coral bommies and a sandy bay, the area attracts a vast array of tropical reef fish.

Goggle Gardens

This dive area requires more than one dive, due to its amazing diversity. Rising from an ancient river, coral formations grow along its walls, bommies and sandy flats creating unique environments for its inhabiting fish. 

Vertical Gardens

This dive site is only accessible at certain times of the year, and is famous for its large school of resident parrot fish who are also known as very highly sociable fish. On Green Island there is one particular parrot fish called Gavin who has his own facebook page and fan club!   

Lighthouse Bommie 

Is a mound located nearby, where huge schools of yellow and blue snapper frequent the top of the reef. Anemone fish are also common at this site. During June and July, the area becomes one of the best spots to view the Dwarf Minke Whale.  

The Snake Pit

This is an isolated platform reef that are clumped together to form a number of deep mounds or bommies that are festooned, like party décor with multi coloured crinoids. 

The Snake Pit is aptly called as Olive Sea Snakes are commonly found here.  They are curious and complacent so ideal to spot and photograph. Don’t worry if you are scared of snakes, there is no known instant of any Olive Sea Snake attacking diver.

Steve’s Bommie 

This will be your final destination and is one of the reefs most popular sites, the area has attracted underwater photographers from all over the world. The sheer quantity and variety of corals and fish species that are found in this one reef site is astonishing.

Other Dive amazing sites that might be visited on your liveaboard adventure whilst on the Great Barrier Reef:

Dynamite Pass

Pixie Pinnacle

Pixie Wall

Coral Kingdom

Flare Point

Trolly Shoal

Blue Lagoon

Dive Equipment

For those who do not wish to bring their own dive gear, you can hire out the entire range of equipment. From BCD’s (Aqualung Wave) wetsuits (5mm full length) and snorkel gear, to regulators, dive computers, gauges and torches.

Under Queensland Australian law all BCD’s and regulators provided by the dive company have to be serviced every 6 months, so you can rely on the safest and reliable equipment.  If you bring your own equipment then ensure that it has been serviced within the last year (BCD and regulator).

Every diver will be asked to wear a Nautilus Lifeline GPS (included in cost), which will ensure easy location finding for any diver.

Tank valves on the air and nitrox cylinders are compatible to the European DIN and the U.S style tank valves.

Underwater camera hire, professional photography service, CD’s and DVDs are also available, for all your photography needs. 

Extra Diving Services
Rebreathers

For anyone wishing to dive with a rebreather they will be asked to fill in paperwork before the trip.

The rebreather service offered includes:

Limited complimentary supply of 2L aluminium, 3L steel “on board” cylinders and 7L steel “off board” cylinders

HI 5G booster pump and fill panel

MBDE Rebreather Pre-Dive Checklist for added safety

No time limit on dives (where practical)

Oxygen and soda lime supplied to order (fees apply)

Any depths will be limited to experience and qualifications

Extended service during Special ‘Deep Reef’ Expeditions includes:

Tri-mix rebreather service and decompression diving

Safety diver and bailout gas ready during decompression dives

Note: There is a ‘no solo’ policy for rebreathers and decompression diving so divers must dive with a qualified buddy.

Nitrox

Nitrox is available on board (at extra cost).  Bring your nitrox certification card.  Nitrox courses are also available on this liveaboard.

Dive Schedule:

Your diving day will consist of:

Morning Dive

Afternoon Dive

Night Dive (at the same site as the afternoon dive)

(On the second day you will have a chance to do 5 dives in 3 locations)

This trip offers 2 fabulous night dives.

You are offered guided dives with an experienced Dive Master who knows the area and the dives sites well, or if you prefer you can dive with your buddy.

Dive Boat Features

Length - 30 m (100ft) Beam – 10.5m (35ft)

Speed – 15 knots

Survey – 1B (29 pax)

Commissioned 1989

Instruments on Board:

Radar

Global Positioning Systems x 2

HF & VHF Radios

Echo Sounder

240V /110V Recharge Facilities

Chart Plotters x 2

Vessel Features 

Spacious relaxation areas including a large sundeck with shade,

alfresco deck, lounge and bar  

Fully air-conditioned 

Daily cabin service 

12 person attentive crew 

Huge dive deck with convenient entry and exit platforms 

Multilevel, large camera table

Dedicated on deck freshwater camera rinse tanks 

2 large screen TVs 

2 large inflatable boats for optimal dive service 

Nitrox available 

Daily presentations on the geology, biology and ecology of the Great Barrier Reef 

Photographic specifications on board:

3 large camera stations with air guns

A 3 tier camera shelf that incorporates recharging facilities,

110v (USA style - 2 prong straight pin)

240v (Australian) socket.

Special camera freshwater rinse tubs on diving deck

All cabins also have 110v and 240v charging plugs

In the main saloon you have access to a computer (Windows)

1x video/DVD player – to view videos

 2x large flat screens for viewing photographs and video

Enter the Guest Underwater Photo Competition that is run every expedition (win a free dive trip!)

Note:  Remember to bring adaptors for the electrical sockets to suit your chargers and USB digital memory card readers.

Browse more liveaboard Great Barrier Reef scuba diving tours, our shark diving tours and swim with whales diving expeditions. 

 

Departs From

Cairns

Departure Instructions

• Check in at the dive office at 6:30am for a 7:00am flight departure. 
• Disembarks 8.00am Thursdays

Destinations

• Great Barrier Reef
• Lizard & North Direction Islands
• Ribbon Reefs
• The Cod Hole
• Lighthouse Bommie
• Gotham City
• Pixie Pinnacle
• Coral Kingdom
• Steve’s Bommie

Months of Operation

May, August - January

Days of Operation

Monday

2024 Departure dates: SOLD OUT except 2 seats left on 16th December
2025 Departure dates: 6th & 13th January SOLD OUT, 20th January, 27th January 4 seats left, 5th May SOLD OUT, 8th & 22nd September, 6th & 20th October, 3rd November SOLD OUT, 15th December
2026 Departure dates: 12, 19, 26 January, 27th April, 17th August, 7th, 21st & 28th September, 5th October, 2nd November, 14th & 21st December

Duration

3 nights

Available for Purchase / Hire

• Bar Bill: Please note that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority requires us to collect an Environmental Management Charge of $7 per day spent on the Great Barrier Reef. This amount will be added to your bar bill at the end of your expedition.
• Gear Hire: wetsuits, gloves, tanks, GPS, safety sausage, nitrox fills, tanks, weights, gauges, BCD, light/torch
• Note: we recommend you bring your own wetsuit, mask snorkel and fins to ensure they fit well
• Dive Courses are available on board, discuss options at time of booking
• Underwater camera hire
• Trip videos
• Underwater photography course

Fitness Level Required

Medium, Active

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

Additional Information

• Experience: Novice to Advanced Divers and Snorkelers
• We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5:00pm Wednesday)
• Passengers MUST understand English
• The nearest hyperbaric chamber is based in Townsville
• All staff and crew are all trained in Emergency First Aid and Boat Safety.
• Ensure that all your equipment has been recently serviced. 
• Guest Dining: enjoy a sumptuous variety of meals that has earned Spoilsport an enviable reputation for catering excellence. Vegetarian, vegan and special dietary/allergy requirements are catered for with Australian and International
• menus using fresh local produce. Please advise if you have special dietary needs.

• Dive gear (it is possible to hire dive gear on board)
• Certification card and log book
• A luggage allowance applies to the flight from Cairns to Lizard Island: 25kg / 55lb per person plus 3kg / 6.5lb – carry on plus an additional 10kg/22lb is allowed for professional photo/video housed systems
• Excess luggage may be left at dive company office. We take care but not liability
• You should bring your own personal toiletries, hair dryer, travel adaptor and plugs, batteries, personal medication, swimming costume, rash vest, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, foot wear (sandals or tennis shoes), T-shirts, shorts, sweater and sweat pants – light weight pants and tops for the evening are a good idea. Also your wildest “loud” shirt/dress for the BBQ evening

• We seldom have children onboard however we do welcome ONE family per expedition with children minimum age 8 years
• We are unable to supply dive gear in children’s sizes
• Children must be over 12 years old and must be fully qualified