Liveaboard Diving in Cod Hole

What To Expect On A Cod Hole Liveaboard

When anyone looks into liveaboards in Australia and the best and most well-known sites for diving on the Great Barrier Reef, they'll inevitably come across the famous Cod Hole sooner rather than later. As its name suggests, this unique place has become world-renowned due to its resident family of huge Potato Cod, making this site their permanent home. Along with the main attraction, you'll see a wealth of underwater life and be gliding through the water with visibility commonly over 25 meters with only gentle currents.

Cod Hole is located around 100 kilometers north of Cairns in Queensland, at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and forms part of the Ribbon Reef section (reef number ten). Being so far away from the coast, the only realistic way to experience the best of Cod Hole is via liveaboard, lasting a few days. Most liveaboard diving tours that visit Cod Hole will also cruise through many other beautiful diving spots in the Ribbon Reefs over the duration of the trip. The conditions allow year-round diving, with water temperatures ranging from 22 to 29 degrees Celcius.

What You Can See

Many of our Australian liveaboard operators offer itineraries that visit Cod Hole as part of the dive schedule.

Even though they expect it, divers are constantly wowed by the sheer size and presence of the giant Potato Cod that has made this one of the most talked-about dive sites worldwide. They have become used to human contact and are comfortable near people, allowing a great opportunity for detailed photos of these beautiful creatures. Weighing up to a massive 60 kilograms, feeding of these fish has been sanctioned by the Queensland government, and feeding time initiates a wave of activity as other animals such as Solomon's Sweetlips, Coral Trout, and Trevally all try to get their fair share. You'll likely encounter large numbers of Maori Wrasse here, also known as Humphead Wrasse, another huge specimen - sometimes growing to 2 meters long and a whopping 180 kilograms.

If you're visiting during the Australian winter (July/August), you may be lucky and have the rare experience of viewing Dwarf minke whales. They are curious characters and often hang around when divers and snorkellers are about - a truly unique and wonderful spectacle. Your liveaboard operator may be involved in Minke Whale research and monitoring, and there may be a possibility of you participating in this.

How To Get To Cod Hole

This stunning area of the Coral Sea is situated to the very north of the Great Barrier Reef, in a remote spot far from the nearest coastal town. As such, it's only possible to visit Cod Hole on an Australia liveaboard, which will sail you in comfort to this and other outer sections of the GBR. Cairns, the most common port for departing cruises, is the best place to board your liveaboard cruise. Some Liveaboard.com operators include a stunning low-level reef flight as part of their package to commence or end the trip.

Cairns has a busy airport served by many large international carriers, making it easy to fly directly from many overseas locations. If this is not possible, you can catch a domestic flight from one of the larger Australian cities, such as Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney.

As with most liveaboard cruises, your operator will likely pick you up from your chosen accommodation (and take you back afterward), as part of their service.


Cod Hole Diving Reviews

  • 9.4 Superb
  • 74 Verified Reviews
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Walt B
  • United States United States

Diving amongst the giant potato cod is definitely memorable but the site itself is only so-so.

Diving Cod Hole in September on the Spoilsport

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Michael S
  • United States United States

It's great to see the cod hole but I didn't like that we have up attract the cods with food

Diving Cod Hole in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Vernon J
  • United States United States

Loved It . I think the cod enjoy the attention. They are photo hogs. They want to fill the whole frame.

Diving Cod Hole in November on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Russell H
  • United States United States

Although we did not get to see the large potato cod fish, the dive site was still very fun and interesting.

Diving Cod Hole in November on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Mitchell G
  • United States United States

So cool to see these giant prehistoric looking potato cod! One was very curious and followed us around! Loved this dive!

Diving Cod Hole in January on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Faith R
  • United States United States

Cod hole was a lot of fun! It added some variety into the diving.

Diving Cod Hole in January on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Roy H
  • United States United States

Cod hole was fun. The large potato cod fish, had their own personalities. Lots of interesting sights to make you want to return.

Diving Cod Hole in March on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Justin Y
  • United States United States

Potato Cod are friendly and have character!

Diving Cod Hole in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Emily S
  • United States United States

Another highlight of my trip.

Diving Cod Hole in June on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Clarissa Y
  • United States United States

This was a fun dive, though since we were more new to diving, and this was our first dive site, we were with the crew on a dive to make sure we felt comfortable and did not go far from the boat. We still saw the large cod, but others saw many more and even some rays.

Diving Cod Hole in September on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jessica S
  • United States United States

Amazing. My favorite diving photo ever.

Diving Cod Hole in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Chelsea
  • United States United States

Due to weather we were unable to visit, which was very disappointing but we understood.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Eric L
  • United States United States

The Cod Hole was amazing. I have always looked at the large Cod, and thought this was an encounter that rarely happened, but this was not the case. I was surprised at how friendly the Cod were and at how close we could get.

Diving Cod Hole in June on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Harry S
  • United States United States

Potato cod are pretty great.

Diving Cod Hole in August on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Anne D
  • United States United States

Amazing! And we loved doing both the day and night dives there.

Diving Cod Hole in December on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kendra R
  • United States United States

Very cool to see the huge friendly cod.

Diving Cod Hole in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Mark M
  • United States United States

Excellent... although there weren't as many large cod as I expected.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Sarah S
  • United States United States

Such a cool experience diving with the large cod! They come right up to you it's crazy!

Diving Cod Hole in October on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Nicholas W
  • United States United States

Really fun experience meeting Spot the Cod! Reefs we’re really healthy on the West/North side too!

Diving Cod Hole in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christopher C
  • United States United States

Awesome up close experience with some truly people-friendly large fish.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Roger V
  • Netherlands Netherlands

The divesite is not great, but the feeding was amazing and to be recommended.

Diving Cod Hole in July on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Keryn A
  • Australia Australia

Amazing, huge cod coming right up and swimming all around you.

Diving Cod Hole in September on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Bruno P
  • Portugal Portugal

Loved the night dive with the cods hunting!

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Gerald B
  • Canada Canada

interesting. Liked it at night.

Diving Cod Hole in March on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Sidney N
  • Australia Australia

:-( didn't see any Cod!! And there was a tough current

Diving Cod Hole in April on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Anna M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

I loved seeing the enormous cod there. It was our first dive so it was a thrill fire me to be back under the water.i just love the feeling of weightlessness and manouvrability.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Myriam G
  • Switzerland Switzerland

all very nice. Top reef and very nice underwater experience.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Enrique H
  • Spain Spain

The potato cod are amazing, the coral completely broken

Diving Cod Hole in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Dan P
  • Australia Australia

although the cods were very friendly and inquisitive, I had seen bigger on the north coast of NSW. The sight itself was great to adventure through the shallows of the reef. plenty of swim throughs

Diving Cod Hole in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ben L
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great, warm 30°c water means you only need to wear t-shirt and shorts, no need for a wet suit if you don't want to wear them. At all dive sites, we were the only dive group and the vast majority of the time you and your buddy do not bump into anyone else during the dives.

Diving Cod Hole in January on the Spoilsport

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Francesco T
  • Philippines Philippines

so-so marine life, except for the giant cod

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Dirk V
  • Belgium Belgium

Unique, it was the reason I booked this trip and it didn't disappoint

Diving Cod Hole in March on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jun G
  • China China

Amazing diving, great underwater sceneries, biosphere and visibility

Diving Cod Hole in July on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jun C
  • China China

Great, not only did we fed the cod, but also saw a huge school of bumphead parrotfish!

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Catherine A
  • Canada Canada

Great site, giant potato cods and nice topography

Diving Cod Hole in September on the Spoilsport

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Willem F
  • South Africa South Africa

Little bit underwhelming, we have had similar dives with big cod elsewhere in the world, but it was still worth it.

Diving Cod Hole in January on the Spoilsport

  • 8.4 Very good
  • David N
  • Australia Australia

The potato cod are always a pleasure to see. The rest of the site does not offer much.

Diving Cod Hole in April on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Kathryn C
  • New Zealand New Zealand

Great fun diving with huge potato cod that come very close

Diving Cod Hole in July on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Guillaume B
  • France France

the cod feed was a good moment, I will remember it

Diving Cod Hole in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • James S
  • Canada Canada

The cod are great to see and quite large.

Diving Cod Hole in October on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Francis R
  • Belgium Belgium

Amazing potato cods & sea life.

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ellie D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great fun, the potato cod are so entertaining and we also found 2 pygmy seahorses!

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jennifer V
  • Canada Canada

Wow, those were some big Cod. Feeding was very cool.

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • FRANCESCO G
  • Australia Australia

Great dive and giant Codd did not disappoint.

Diving Cod Hole in July on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Allison S
  • Australia Australia

Supberb diving at Cod Hole with lots of marine life, clear visibility and friendly Potato Cods.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Joanne W
  • Australia Australia

Great - plenty of cod and very friendly. Coral and other fish were plentiful.

Diving Cod Hole in May on the Spoilsport

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Gary V
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Hmmmm, not sure what to say here. I'm afraid I have strong views about feeding wild animals and I think I would have enjoyed Cod Hole more without the circus show.

Diving Cod Hole in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • William S
  • Canada Canada

Fantastic! The cods chase you around!

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Thomas K
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Potato Cod! Need I say more.

Diving Cod Hole in February on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Pieter S
  • South Africa South Africa

The reef recovered well after cyclone damage,current caused havoc,divers needed pickup by the tender.Feeding dive very entertaining.

Diving Cod Hole in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Simon F
  • Canada Canada

Fantastic would highly recommend seeing the potato cods in person super friendly like a giant under water dog park.

Diving Cod Hole in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Yuan X
  • Hong Kong Hong Kong

Lives up to its name with some big cods

Diving Cod Hole in July on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kieran V
  • Australia Australia

Really cool to see the potato cod.

Diving Cod Hole in October on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • David F
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Amazing I saw two giant cod

Diving Cod Hole in October on the Spoilsport