Minke Whale Coral Sea Expedition 2028

June 22 – 29 2028

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Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Location/Type

Australia Liveaboard

Tour type

Coral Sea

Diving Type

Minke Whale Snorkel

ABOUT THE TRIP

Departing Thursday from Cairns, this epic 7 night dive adventure will give you the opportunity for up to 26 incredible dives and snorkeling with majestic minke whales! Whether you’re snorkeling or scuba diving, you can embark on minke whale excursions. The Ribbon Reefs provide clear winter waters where whales come very close, offering exceptional diving experiences. Safety measures are in place to protect both divers and whales, allowing you to observe the whales up close while giving them the freedom to approach naturally. Most close encounters with the whales occur while snorkeling on the water’s surface.

Through the Ribbon Reefs and in to the Coral Sea, you will have the opportunity to encounter clouds of colorful tropical fish, an incredible variety of vibrant healthy corals, giant clams, anemones, huge schools of cruising pelagic fish, a family of giant potato cod and our world famous shark dive at the remote Osprey Reef.

Dwarf minke whales travel through the Great Barrier Reef each winter during the months of June and July, when divers and snorkelers may have the opportunity to interact with dwarf minke whales in the warm water of the Great Barrier Reef. This is a unique and remarkable encounter. There are few opportunities in a lifetime where you can experience the thrill of sharing the water with a creature as magnificent as a Minke Whale. Join us to swim with minke whales and contribute to the ongoing research conducted by the Minke Whale Project, and assist with their multi-disciplinary research into dwarf minke whale biology and behavior.

Join us to experience the unique sounds of the minke whales in the Coral Sea!!!

info@apexoceantravel.com

Pricing

$4300-$6500

Special Offer
Free Photo & Video Package

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    Trip Leader

    Alex Schmidt

    Itinerary

    Know More about the days

    This itinerary will maximize time in the water with minke whales, weather dependent. The itinerary is subject to change. If the weather in the coral sea is calm, there may be shark dives included as well, but generally the coral sea can be rough this time of year, which would mean more time at the ribbon reef with the minkes!

    The Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel around 11 am to transfer you to Trinity Wharf. There you will be greeted by the Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation of the vessel before you depart on your 7-night liveaboard dive trip at 12 pm (noon).

    Enjoy lunch on board while we cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive.

    After dinner, we cruise north to the Ribbon Reefs.

    These two days are spent diving at the most northern of the Ribbon Reefs, Number 9 & 10 Ribbon Reefs. We will swim with minke whales as much as possible here.

    Dive sites and sequence may vary depending on the weather conditions, but will always include at least one dive at the Cod Hole, where you encounter a family of massive and very friendly Potato Cod. Other sites may include Wonder-wall, Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, Two Towers, Lighthouse Bommie, and the Snake Pit, just to name a few.

    If the current is right, you may also take a drift dive at Dynamite Pass, well know as a channel for sharks to pass through. Visit our Ribbon Reefs page to learn more about our dive sites on the Ribbon Reefs. 4 to 5 dives will be available each day, including a night dive on the Friday. On Saturday evening we overnight at Watson’s Bay, Lizard Island, and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner on the top deck.

    This morning after breakfast you will have the opportunity to go ashore at Lizard Island. This is a good chance to stretch your legs on land at the halfway point of your trip! We recommend taking the guided walk from Watson’s Beach to Mary Watson’s cottage, over Chinaman’s Ridge, and back to the beach.

    Around 11 am we will cruise back to Ribbon Reef Number 10 for two dives at a choice of sites including the Snake Pit, Cod Hole, Challenger Bay, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, and Pixie Pinnacle.

    If the tide permits we may repeat a dive at the Cod Hole or visit new sites. If the weather looks calm, we may depart in the evening for a 10-hour crossing to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. If the coral sea is rough, we will stay at the ribbon reef.

    Two days will be spent diving Osprey Reef (weather permitting). Australia’s Coral Sea reefs are renowned for their crystal clear water, with visibility ranging from 30 to 100 metres. The landscape is amazing, with sheer walls laced with gorgonian fans, sea whips, and bright yellow soft corals, rising from the ocean floor thousands of feet below.

    ‘North Horn’ is a dive site at the tip of Osprey where grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the occasional oceanic congregate, and you can experience a close encounter with the Spirit of Freedom shark attraction dive. Four to five dives will be available each day, including a night dive on Monday.

    (If the weather is rough at these sites, we will stay at the ribbon reef with the minke whales.)

    On Tuesday night we will depart Osprey Reef for overnight travel to the Ribbon Reefs.

    • At Ribbon Reef Number 3 we will dive such sites as the sensational Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom, and Flare Point. A second option for this day, in special weather conditions, is to head south from Osprey to Bougainville Reef, known for its unusual underwater landscape or caverns, and its partially submerged wreck. On Wednesday evening we will cruise overnight back to Cairns.
    • We arrive back in Cairns at 6:30 am.
    • Enjoy a light breakfast onboard and a group photo opportunity, before being dropped back to your Cairns accommodation around 8.00 am.
    • Accommodations for 7 nights on board
    • Chef-prepared drinks meals & snacks, wine and soft drinks are included with the evening meal
    • Tanks, air fills, Nautilus Lifeline, weights and weight belt
    • Mask, snorkel, boots, fins
    • Daily cabin service
    • Cairns hotel or Airport transfers
    • GST and all reef levies and fees
    • Photo and Video Package
    • Flights
    • Trip Insurance
    • Dive Insurance
    • Full equipment rental
    • Nitrox
    • Gratuities

    Vessel

    Wildlife

    Cabins

    $ 6500

    Located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck, the Ocean View Deluxe Cabin boats a 10.5m² area with 3 large windows overlooking the starboard side of the vessel. A comfy double bed will ensure you are well rest for a full day of diving. The room features bedside tables, wardrobe and 26″ flat screen TV. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole occupancy only.

    $ 6500

    Our Ocean View cabin is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. As the name suggests, you will enjoy stunning views from this air conditioned 7.2m² cabin, which contains a double bed, private bathroom, a wardrobe and 26” flat screen TV. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

    $ 6500

    The largest of all cabins onboard the vessel, The Stateroom cabin is located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon. Fully air-conditioned, this spacious 12m² cabin contains a queen size bed, a private bathroom, extra shelving, wardrobe, bedside tables and 26″ flat screen TV. Double or Sole Occupancy only: no twin share option available.

    $ 5100

    Spirit of Freedom has seven standard double or twin share cabins. Five of these cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk style. One cabin contains just a double bed and one cabin has two single beds. These cabins are all located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck and have an average area of 10m² square metres in area. Fully air-conditioned, the cabins have an ensuite bathroom and also contain a wardrobe, personal reading light and a bedside table. Please advise your preference for double or twin share when placing your booking. Sole occupancy also available.

    $ 4300

    Located midships on the lower deck, the quad share cabin containing four single beds, bunk style and is a great options for groups or families as you explore the Great Barrier Reef on your epic dive adventure. This 9m² cabin has easy access to the main deck and includes a private ensuite bathroom and personal reading lights for each bed. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and also contains a wardrobe, as well as storage under the bottom two bunks.

    About the Operator

    The Spirit of Freedom was custom-built for long range cruising and optimised for the sea conditions of the Coral Sea region.

    Design features such as the specific length of the vessel, combined with electronic stabilisers, ensure maximum sea keeping capability for greatest passenger comfort. Heavy duty medium rev marine diesel engines provide fuel efficiency, reliability, and low vibration and sound emission.

    The Spirit of Freedom undergoes an annual four-week refit or maintenance period to keep her in top condition. She carries a current 1B Queensland survey to 260 miles offshore range, which includes all Coral Sea Reefs and islands.

     

    Ship:

    37 metres / 122 feet

    Steel hull with aluminum superstructure

    Ship’s phone, satellite phone and email, Icom HF Radio, Icom VHF radio, Wireless internet access when in range

    Maximum 24 divers

     

    BELOW DECK

    Quad Share Cabin

    Spirit of Freedom has one quad share cabin containing four single beds, bunk bed style. This cabin is located midships on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. The Quad Share Cabin is 7.2 square metres in area, (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 1.8 square metres), fully air-conditioned, and also contains a wardrobe and private bathroom.

    Standard Double or Twin Share Cabins

    Spirit of Freedom has seven standard double or twin-share cabins. Five of these cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk bed style. One cabin contains one double bed and one cabin has two single beds. Please advise your preference for double or twin share when making your booking. These cabins are all located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. The Standard Double or Twin Cabins are an average 7.2 square metres in area, (not including the bathroom, which are an additional 1.8 square metres), fully air-conditioned, and also contain a wardrobe, bedside table, and private bathroom.

    The Stateroom

    Located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon, The Stateroom is a spacious 9.2 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 2.8 square metres) and contains a queen-size bed, extra shelving, a wardrobe, and bedside tables. The Stateroom is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

     

    MAIN DECK
    Galley and dining room
    Large Salon
    Large dive deck with fully-equipped camera table
    Bathroom
    Fresh water showers

     

    UPPER DECK

    The top deck is a great place to relax between dives, with undercover and open areas containing timber tables, chairs, comfortable lounge seating, and sunloungers. Here you can relax with a book, take a quick snooze, catch some sun rays, or share stories of the marine life you encountered on the last dive.

    The top deck is also a great place in the evening, where you can enjoy a quiet drink or get together with fellow divers. During your trip, we always plan at least one alfresco BBQ dinner to enjoy on the top deck.

    Ocean View Standard Cabin

    Located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck, the Ocean View Standard Cabin is 5.2 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 2 square metres) and contains a double bed and wardrobe. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

    Ocean View Deluxe Cabin

    Located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck, the Ocean View Deluxe Cabin is a spacious 8.5 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, which is an additional 2 square metres) and contains a double bed, bedside tables, wardrobe, and 26″ flat-screen TV with USB input for media from a hard drive. The cabin is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. Double or Sole Occupancy only.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Everything you need to know about planning your perfect adventure. Can’t find the answer? Our travel experts are here to help.

    Cairns International Airport – (CNS)

    Transfers included from hotels in Cairns

    Spirit of Freedom can accommodate a maximum of 24 guests and operates with a minimum of 12 crew members.
    Minke whales, giant cod, sharks, cuttlefish, corals and much more!
    Spirit of Freedom provides divers with a mask, snorkel, boots, fins, tanks, weights, and weight belts. We also supply safety equipment including surface marker buoys, whistles, and Nautilus LifeLine Marine GPS. Cyalume sticks and torches will also be provided for night diving.

    The food on board is high quality, and large buffet portions, come ready to eat! Dietary restrictions will be accommodated.

    Yes email info@apexoceantravel.com for rates

    Certified divers are allowed to dive within limits without a divemaster. Advanced open water recommended.