Spirit of Freedom, Australia

Name: Coral Sea & Ribbon Reef Trip (Cairns - Cairns)
Start: 2026-05-03
End: 2026-05-07
Location: Australia

9.3 Superb

Nitrox available
Free Internet
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Warm Water Showers

from $ 367 / day Check dates

“Amazing experience, the Reef was mind blowing and the team always made us feel safe and secure.”
Ashley M, United States

Highlights

Voted Best Australian Liveaboard
Diving cruises to Great Barrier Reef

M/V Spirit of Freedom is a 37m, state-of-the-art liveaboard, voted Best Australian Liveaboard by readers of Australasia Dive Log in 2015 & 2017. Spirit of Freedom offers year-round, 3, 4, and 7-day diving cruises to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea reefs, and special Far Northern expeditions to dive into the truly pristine and remote reefs. Diving amenities onboard MV Spirit of Freedom include a spacious dive deck, individual dry storage, Nitrox, rinse tanks, a small camera table, and freshwater showers. A camera workstation with power boards and converters for 110 volts is also onboard.

Topside, the Spirit of Freedom offers guests 11 cabins with a style and budget for everyone. All cabins have a private bathroom, wardrobe, ample storage, air conditioning, and housekeeping services. Guests will enjoy relaxing on the top deck between dives or in the evening, where it is a great place to unwind with a drink at the end of a day of fantastic diving. The forward lounge is perfect for chilling out and relaxing and has comfortable seating and beanbags. The dining salon has ample seating for all guests and is where a variety of quality healthy meals are available. Dinner is a set menu, and soft drinks, wine, and beer are included with dinner. The Spirit of Freedom must be notified of any special dietary requirements at least 30 days before travel.

The minimum age to travel on the Spirit of Freedom is 16, as the type of dives practiced requires experience. Snorkelers are welcome aboard the Minke Whale Trip (June and July) and the 3-Day Cod Hole trip. Please note that snorkeling can be restricted due to weather, tides, currents, and other environmental conditions, and snorkeling is only permitted on sites deemed safe. Passengers over 65 are required to supply a doctor’s medical statement confirming they are fit to dive.

Book online to reserve your Spirit of Freedom Australia liveaboard diving holiday.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

22 Mar

5 Days / 4 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 1,963 Deal %

Select Cabin only 3 spaces left

26 Mar

4 Days / 3 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 1,514 Deal %

Select Cabin available

26 Mar

8 Days / 7 Nights

$400AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 2,914 Deal %

Select Cabin only 4 spaces left

29 Mar

5 Days / 4 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 1,963 Deal %

Select Cabin available

02 Apr

4 Days / 3 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 1,616 Deal %

FULL

02 Apr

8 Days / 7 Nights

$400AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 3,055 Deal %

FULL

05 Apr

5 Days / 4 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 2,107 Deal %

FULL

09 Apr

4 Days / 3 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 1,616 Deal %

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

09 Apr

8 Days / 7 Nights

$400AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 3,055 Deal %

FULL

12 Apr

5 Days / 4 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 2,107 Deal %

Select Cabin available

16 Apr

4 Days / 3 Nights

$200AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 1,616 Deal %

Select Cabin available

16 Apr

8 Days / 7 Nights

$400AUD OFF! Summer Splash Special! Rates include discount. Valid until April 30, 2026.

$ 3,055 Deal %

Select Cabin available

Included: VAT, Environment Tax, National Park Fees, Hotel Transfer, Local Flights, Alcoholic Drinks at Dinner, Drinking Water, Tea & Coffee, Wine with Dinner, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Snorkel Gear, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries, WiFi internet.

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Nitrox (120-289 AUD), Nitrox Course (295-325 AUD), Private Dive Guide (650-750 AUD), Rental Gear (135-345 AUD), Scuba Diving Courses (375-405 AUD).

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with

Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

Free Internet
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Seaview Cabins
Non-Smoking Rooms
Camera room with table and charging point
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Library
Outdoor Dining
Audio & video entertainment
Observation Deck
BBQ Area
Available for Charter
Dedicated Local & International Crew
Snorkeling Equipment
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Outside Showers
Leisure Deck
Daily housekeeping
Bar

Food & Drinks

Free Wine w/Dinner
Al Fresco Dining
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Full-board Option
Fine Wines Selection
Buffet style
Western Food
Local Food

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
Shaded Diving Area
DIN Adaptors
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving
Sidemount Diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 1992

Year renovated: 2023

Length: 37 Metres

Deck area: Expansive

Beam: 7.1 Metres

Top speed: 12 Knots

Cruising speed: 8 Knots

Engines: 2 x Rolls Royce C8M 410 249.8kw diesel

Max guests: 24

Number of cabins: 11

Number of bathrooms: 11 + 2 toilets on the dive deck

Tenders: 2 x Naiad RIB tender boats

Water capacity: 22000 Litres

Fuel capacity: 30000 Litres

Freshwater maker: 9000 litres per day

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
E.P.I.R.B. Distress System
Emergency Rafts
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen
First Aid Kits
Fishfinder
Satellite & mobile phones
Bilge pump alarm
Search light
Crew trained in first aid
Emergency flares

Spirit of Freedom Reviews

9.3 Superb

Vessel

8.8
Crew

9.5
Food

9.8
Diving

9.3
Value

9.0

10 Exceptional
Amy I
United States

Awesome live aboard experience on the GB Reef!
Everything was amazing on board the Spirit of Freedom from the captain to the dive instructors to the chef and cleaning crew. Highlights were definitely the attention to safety detail and cleanliness, the crew attitudes and energy, and the food! Lowlights if there were any were not at all the fault of the crew - the visibility of the water wasn't as great as we expected and the land transfer on Lizard Island was longer than expected and incredibly hot/humid/buggy.
Recommended for
Safety. Food. Comfort.
26 Feb, 2026

8.8 Fabulous
Kevin B
Switzerland

Very good would not have expected it to be so.
The whole week was great. The highlight were the unexpected things, e.g. Manta.
Recommended for
Diversity of the underwater world. Essen. Crew.
27 Dec, 2025

Translated from German

10 Exceptional
Eric L
United States

Great liveaboard
Great liveaboard. The crew is accommodating and extremely knowledgeable. We had some weather that prevented us from being able to go to Osprey Reef, but the crew did a great job coming up with an itinerary that scratched the adventurous itch for us. Definitely recommend.
Recommended for
Crew is excellent. Guides are knowledgeable. Great vibes.
05 Mar, 2026

9.2 Superb
Fabian F
Argentina

Excellent trip through the remote reefs of the Coral Sea
The whole trip was a great experience, from the start with the scenic flight from Cairns to Lizard Island to the return to Cairns. We were very lucky with the weather so we were able to tour the most remote reefs of the Coral Sea (Osprey, Bougainville and even Holmes!). The dives were all excellent, and at Holmes Reef we were able to experience visibility like we had never had on marine dives, with over 70mt of clear vision.The whole operation was very professional and friendly, a special recognition for Fernanda, our usual Dive Master, great.Very good the meals and the comfort of the cabin and the boat in general, perhaps you could consider the provision of towels for the deck instead of everyone having to bring their own. The dive sites, being all so remote, were in perfect condition and the wildlife abundant at all times. We had a great time at all times
Recommended for
The crew. Dives with incredible visibility. Meals.
17 Dec, 2025

Translated from Spanish

10 Exceptional
Christian B
Belgium

Unique. Witnessed great teamwork from the young crew.
Seeing a fantastic crew at work with drive, professionalism and customer care.
Recommended for
Pace, Food & quality of vessel
01 Apr, 2018

9.2 Superb
Alex C
United Kingdom

Doing GBR in style
It was a great trip - I felt that all the staff were genuinely helpful and friendly
Recommended for
The crew were so friendly and very well organised. The diving was great. The food was decent.
19 Sep, 2025

10 Exceptional
Dave P
United States

Beat value, best crew, best experience!
A lot of dives, a lot of food, and had a lot of fun!
Recommended for
Clean ship, not overly crowded, fun crew, and great foo
20 Oct, 2023

8.0 Very good
David GLENN W
Canada

I would book it again but maybe longer
Very enjoyable trip. The crew were excellent. Made sure all aspects of the Scuba Diving experience was safe and fun. The Diving was good , visibility could have been better. When the planed dive site was not good the Captain changed the plan, and we had 2 great dives at Cod hole. Maria worked hard to feed us good meals. The Crew were always willingly to help. Good time. We even got to explore Lizard Island with Dora the explorer. The flight back over the Great Barrier Reef was the icing on the cake. Thanks Guys
Recommended for
Organization. Communication. Great staff.
26 Feb, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Sabrina H
United States

An amazing 4 days!
Animals (sharks, fish, cuttlefish, turtles, manta ray...) People - the crew was great (very organized), the dive guests were international, easy going and fun to vacation with!!
Recommended for
Crew, guests, organization
01 Apr, 2020