Name: Spoilsport
Brand: Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 9.32 (138 reviews)

9.6 Exceptional
Mark K
United States

Fantastic time exploring the Great Barrier reef.

Seeing the underwater world, the octopus, scuttlefish, nudibranchs, coral, sponges and turtles.

Recommended for: All the staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. If you were an experienced diver you could explore the sites at your own pace with a buddy. The chef and hence the food was fantastic.

9.6 Exceptional
Russell H
United States

Amazing trip

Barracuda, shark feed, the visibility of 150 feet

Recommended for: Diving western front at bouganville. The shark feed, the service was amazing

10 Exceptional
Mitchell G
United States

Mitch & Mimi's GBR Dive Experience

We loved the Dive director and Crew: Jelle, Kerrin, Kiana, Olly, Justin, Jemma, Derren, Trevor, Julia, and two vounteers Brian and Phil! Jelle was very organized and knowledgeable. The crew were so helpful and always busy. The food was amazing! The other divers on board were wonderful to get to know and have made some very good friends even though we had only been together for 3 days. And the dives were AMAZING! We saw so many beautiful fish, turtle, octopus, manta ray, cuttle fish, stone fish, giant clams, tiny nudibranchs, and beautiful corals! Words can't describe! Luckily we have some awesome pictures that Julia took! I highly recommend the SpoilSport Liveaboard! Thank you!

Recommended for: The dives, the crew, the organization, the food! (sorry that's 4)!

10 Exceptional
Zachary R
United States

Exceeded expectations and the absolute best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef.

The night dive in Gotham was unreal, so much activity and so many sharks made this the best night dive I have ever been on. Everything about the trip was perfect, from the low altitude plane ride over the reef to the food served constantly throughout the day. One of the best parts was the fact that they catered to my party's different levels of dive experience and did everything imaginable to make the trip a one of a kind experience. Furthermore, the personalty of the crew was top notch as they knew when to be serious, but more importantly, they were extremely laid back and helped remind us that we're in one of the best spots in the world to go diving and diving should be fun.

Recommended for: The a sheer number of dives, the biodiversity, the one-on-one expertise given by the crew

9.6 Exceptional
Dinin L
United States

Retired

Crew's genuine caring and enthusiasm throughout every aspect of trip. Food was excellent and varied. Everything geared towards enhancing your diving experience. Diving was amazing!

Recommended for: Crew friendliness and professionalism, excellent food, superior dive sites

10 Exceptional
Dana C
United States

Fabulous Experience

We had so gorgeous dives and were so happy with our experience. The crew took every step to go above and beyond and really made the trip a spectacular one. We will absolutely book with Mike Ball in the future.

Recommended for: Crew, Quality of Diving, Food

8.8 Fabulous
Martin B
United States

awesome

For one , the flight to lizard Island and the experience of a liveaboard Trip ! The dive sites where great and the sea live was awesome ! The crew is super friendly and fun ,I had a great time ,thanks

Recommended for: Location ,People and Staff , Flight

10 Exceptional
Colin Z
United States

Excellent Trip in Maldives with Scubaspa

the small crew and passengers on the boat which made it great to make new friendships. the diving team was great and thorough with their itineraries. saw amazing aquatic life and sceneries there. highly recommended!

Recommended for: friendly crew, best dive team, and great food!

9.2 Superb
Colin Z
United States

Excellent Trip in GBR with Spoilsport

the small crew and passengers on the boat which made it great to make new friendships. the diving team was great and thorough with their itineraries. saw amazing aquatic life and sceneries there. highly recommended!

Recommended for: friendly crew, best dive team, and great food and entertainment!

10 Exceptional
Robert B
United States

Hands down, the best dive experience I've had around the world since I got certified in 1984!

My wife and I enjoyed the unique dive sites that the divemaster picked so that we could observe different formations and wildlife. Moving the boat at noon and over night allowed us to experience many different sites with no wasted travel time. Allowing those that choose to explore on their own was fantastic, but also offering up crew to lead a guided tour with those that felt more comfortable with guides was nice. I always judge an outfit by their attention to detail and their safety procedures. The Spoilsport was the best I've experienced. The pre-dive briefings by the divemaster including the use of a white board was very professional. The four tiered safety system in place for every dive - a lookout on the top deck, each diver carrying an inflatable neon safety sausage, and each diver carrying the duel use transmitter (one channel diver to ship, and another channel diver to Coast Guard) was very comforting. To me, everything after the above is just icing on the cake. The Spoilsport certainly added several layers of icing. The cabins were clean and adequate. The food was varied and amazing every day. Snacks were available throughout. The sitting area was great and really allowed all the divers and staff to mingle and socialize. It was nice to have the stand-alone computers available so everyone could share their photos. And, of course, the last night's massive BBQ was incredible and a great way to wrap of an amazing experience. I have and would highly recommend the Spoilsport to anyone who loves diving. Rob Born, Sacramento, Ca.

Recommended for: The unique dive sites, the professional crew and the social experience.

10 Exceptional
Preston F
United States

Great

Location of dives

Recommended for: Location of dives

10 Exceptional
Roy H
United States

Best of the Best!

The small plane flight to Lizard Island was awesome! The top notch sites were thrilling. Spoil-Sport was designed for divers and was so easy to use. Night dives were amazing. All the Sharks, and other incredible fish. Bring your camera. Going back again.

Recommended for: STAFF! STAFF! STAFF! I received more scuba training from our guides than in certification classes. The hostesses and helpers would not let us lift a finger. Dive master always on helpful lookout.

9.6 Exceptional
Ray S
United States

Amazing trip!

The crew of the Spoilsport ran a very professional, well-organized and diverse diving experience. The trip went above and beyond our expectations. The sites and dive masters catered to divers of all levels and put safety first. Guides were available to point out unusual sights/species during each dive. Professional photographer present to capture highlights of each dive. Friendly staff that fostered an environment of cooperation and commraderie among the guests. Experience of a lifetime and highly recommended to anyone interested in diving the Great Barrier Reef!

Recommended for: Great crew, super diving, delicious dining!

8.4 Very good
Kaitlyn B
United States

Amazing staff and boat!

Potato cod, steve's bomme, staff, our cabin

Recommended for: Staff, boat comfort, food

10 Exceptional
Emily S
United States

So happy I booked with Mike Ball SpoilSport

Got to see Minke whales.

Recommended for: Diving sites, crew and boat cleanliness.

9.2 Superb
Shawn A
United States

Amazing experience

Definitely spending time on the whale lines watching the minke whales. The shark feed dive was awesome and the wall dive that was next to the shark feed was equally good. Potato cod, sea turtles, sea snakes, and eagle rays were other highlights of the trip. The crew was also really great, they were fun and friendly and were just as excited as the guests were when spotting whales or talking about the dives. I would recommend this trip to any serious diver.

Recommended for: Whales, Shark Feed, the Crew

10 Exceptional
Clarissa Y
United States

Amazing service and amazing diving

Swimming with sharks, observing a cuttlefish, seeing turtles and other fish. Learning to identify more corals and fish. Improving my buoyancy with the help of the crew so I can stay underwater longer.

Recommended for: The night shark dive, the beautiful corals and marine life, and the service and amenities on the dive boat.

10 Exceptional
Corey O
United States

Stellar Crew and Diving

The crew was really the best I've ever dived with, the boat is nice and the dive sites are glorious

Recommended for: Crew, diving

10 Exceptional
Brian V
United States

These memories will last a lifetime and will always be at the top of the list!

My trip was full of amazing people and experiences! The scuba diving was safe and exciting. The boat (Spoilsport) was clean, well staffed with amazing food every meal. The crew were warm and friendly, extremely helpful and kept everyone very involved in the process.

Recommended for: The friends I made on the trip, the scuba diving and crew, the amazing food!

10 Exceptional
Kathryn M
United States

Absolutely incredible experience

We saw a whole pod of dolphins swimming near one of the reefs. Went to areas that didn't have much bleaching and was filled with wildlife.

Recommended for: The reefs/dive locations we went to were great. The staff was friendly and helpful with anything needed. Absolutely worth the price you pay. The fly over to Lizard Island was awesome.

9.6 Exceptional
logan B
United States

Just an all around great experience, from crew, accomodations, and diving.

Diving particularly the night dives

Recommended for: Diving, crew, food

10 Exceptional
David H
United States

Great accommodations and a very competent and caring crew. What more could one ask for?

The coral on my last dive was spectacular (go right once down the line and hug the reefs on your left shoulder in the shallows (3-5 M). The friendliness of the crew. Can't compliment them enough. The efficiency of the dive prep.

Recommended for: The food (Joe is an awesome chef). The crew - competent and caring. The accommodations. Very nice!

10 Exceptional
Dave B
United States

Outstanding all around

I can’t say enough great things about this trip. The plan had to change due to weather, which was fine because the alternative was arguably better. Diving was great. Focus on Safety was noticeable. The food from Katie beats most restaurants. The staff/crew is cheerful and helpful at all times. The boat was immaculate. I will definitely travel with Mike Ball Expeditions when I return to Australia.

Recommended for: Staff, diving, food

10 Exceptional
Chelsea
United States

Experience of a lifetime.

We loved the entire trip. The low flying plane was really fun and gave us a beautiful view of the reef. The boat was nice and the crew was fantastic! The food was really delicious. The diving was as good as it could have been given the bad weather but the crew did their best to give us the best!

Recommended for: Diving, Food, Service

7.2 Good
Lisa K
United States

Great trip to the far north

Beautiful corals and school of bumphead parrotfish

Recommended for: Photography course, independence in diving with buddies, great schools of fish

9.2 Superb
James O
United States

Amazing dive experience on first-class boat.

The crew was amazing at conveying the location of interesting things to see underwater

Recommended for: professional crew; excellent food; great dive sites

8.8 Fabulous
Bob C
United States

Diving the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef

Diving the Bouganville Reef was a special bonus, and Osprey Reef was great too. We saw several sharks of various types, lots of marine life, and great reefs. Both the day and night dives were super. No bad dives. We actually got lucky with some bad weather that caused us to leave Osprey one day early so we got to add the Great Barrier Reef to our list as well.

Recommended for: The crew is top notch and goes over the top to ensure we had a great trip. Super dive sites.

8.0 Very good
Tuan N
United States

We have a great time onboard with spoilsport

Have a good time meet new people

Recommended for: Great diving location,crews and service were excellent

10 Exceptional
Vicky H
United States

Lovely crew, great food and good fun!

So many beautiful Nudis! Loved hunting for those. Enjoyed some picturesque diving at Steve's Bommie, Pixie Pinnacle and Coral Gardens. Additionally, we were able to snorkel with curious Minke Whales (4x!) all while having access to a knowledgable Minke Whale Project researcher named Suzanne. The crew went out of their way to accommodate the guests wants and needs and the food and beverages on board were fantastic and plentiful. The chef, Joe, made some delicious breads and the best brownies I've ever eaten. Meals were creative and presented beautifully. The program director, Kerrin, did a fabulous job keeping everything running smoothly and was a friendly, accomadating host. Nicole went out of her way to help out the guests in any way possible. She definitely appeared to be the hardest working crew member on board. Captain was a great entertainer and overall hoot! Was neat to have Julia, the photographer, on board and she provided lots of guidance for the camera I rented as well as some interesting facts about marine life. Joe and Newie were helpful on the dive deck and Shakira was an absolute cheery delight to be around. The only criticism I have is that the informational talks at night were a bit dry and there were a few times I needed help gearing up for dives and no one was available. Otherwise, I had a great time, some great dives and would highly recommend this livaboard to anyone wanting to have an unforgettable time on the Great Barrier Reef.

Recommended for: Beautiful coral gardens, plentiful marine life and delicious brownies.

10 Exceptional
Kevin B
United States

A life changing experience

Minke Whales, so many!

Recommended for: Crew, Food and Dive sites

10 Exceptional
Eric L
United States

This was the best dive trip I have ever been on, and I cannot wait for the next experience with SpoilSport!

Getting up close and personal with the Dwarf Minke Whales was incredible along with the evening commentary from Dr Allister Burris about what we saw and what it meant to science. The dive briefings from Kristy were spot on and quite informative of what we would see, and where we would see it. The crew was like a well oiled machine in the way that they worked together so well and anticipated our every need. Every day of diving just got better and better. And after diving - we were fed quite well!!

Recommended for: The best things about this experience were diving with the whales, the time spent with an experienced and highly professional crew, and of course the awesome food 3 times a day!

8.4 Very good
Gwendalyn P
United States

Trip of a lifetime!

Actually looked forward to hearing Kirran’s wake up calls and Dive Brief Calls. The Crew made the trip outstanding. Always helpful and enthusiastic, ready to make every dive exceptional! Hugged everyone of them upon return.

Recommended for: The Reef, the Crew and Efficiency.

10 Exceptional
Harry S
United States

Five stars all the way.

- The flight up to Lizard Island is beautiful (sit on the left for the best views). - Talking with Captain Peter about pirates off the coast of New Guinea. - My partner's a bit new to diving, and an instructor was available to accompany her on every dive. - All the great diving! We saw cuttlefish, turtles eating jellyfish, eels, sharks, nudis, you name it. Lots of different locations, all terrific. - Oh, man, the food!

Recommended for: The diving (of course), the terrific crew, and the food!

9.6 Exceptional
Maggie F
United States

Great staff, great food, very informative, loved my trip overall.

Our tour operator was very kind. The captain hosted a party on the boat the last night and sang for us. The crew was very helpful. We just loved this trip.

Recommended for: Diving, Staff, Food.

8.4 Very good
FREDERICK T
United States

Great time at GBR

My first dive trip so the service from the staff was great! Very helpful and I learned so much. Everything was provided for us. We just relaxed and dove. Excellent discussion of coral reefs prior to one dive.

Recommended for: Sharks, Turtles, and Mike Ball staff's service

10 Exceptional
Alex H
United States

THE BEST CREW I HAVE EVER SEEN

northern reefs

Recommended for: The Diving, the crew, the boat

8.4 Very good
Cecil B
United States

Great food, diving and strict adherence to diving safety protocols.

I was at the great barrier reef in the late 1980s and it was amazing. A direct comparison between now and then difficult because we went to different sites but The Great Barrier Reef appears to be alive and healthy. The food was amazing and wonderful and the staff went to great lengths to provide whatever assistance you needed in diving or onboard.

Recommended for: Diving, professional photographer and food

9.2 Superb
Ana W
United States

I can't wait to do this trip again!!

I thought diving Australia would be a once in a lifetime trip. Now I can't wait to go back & do it again. The service by the staff was superb! Accommodations were very nice and my dive buddy & I didn't feel cramped sharing a space. The shark feed dive was my absolute highlight having never done a dive like that before. I was very pleased with the crews commitment to safety. You guys were amazing! Thank you for this wonderful experience. I can't wait to come back with more dive buddies.

Recommended for: Amazing service by staff, dive safety was a priority, & relaxed experience

10 Exceptional
Anne D
United States

Amazing first time liveaboard experience!

We loved the advanced course with Joe. Our diving greatly improved! Will was a great trip director - made it all fun, safe and easy. Bobbie is an amazing chef - the food variety was hard to believe. Julie’s photography and fish lectures were fantastic bonuses! We hope to return!

Recommended for: Dive sites, crew and food

10 Exceptional
Craig W
United States

Exceeded expectations!

Diving with the sharks!!

Recommended for: Diving in the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. Friendly staff. Good!

8.8 Fabulous
Michele W
United States

Wonderful trip above and below the water!

The Shark encounter, friendly co-passengers, entertaining attentive crew!

Recommended for: Bobby’s cooking was outstanding!!, Destinations were wonderful!, Crew made me feel safe underwater and relaxed and happy above water.

10 Exceptional
Tim K
United States

It was great. The shark feeding dive was the best part for me personally.

The previously mentioned Shark Feeding, sea snake and schools of fish under water were the best parts of the diving experience.

Recommended for: The Shark Feeding, Seeing the sea snake and schools of fish.

10 Exceptional
Bryce O
United States

Fantastic!

As above

Recommended for: 1. Amazing crew, loved their enthusiasm and helpfulness 2. Delicious food 3. Convenient and beautiful diving

10 Exceptional
Mark M
United States

Excellent!

The dives and the friendly, efficient crew. The captain was excellent!

Recommended for: Dive sites, food, service

10 Exceptional
Jeremiah C
United States

Absolutely amazing experience with an incredible crew!

This was my first Liveaboard and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everything was so well done and professional. I could see how everything was so well organized. And all the staff worked super hard. I could tell that they all got along with each other and were just very cool people to be around. I would highly recommend.

Recommended for: The food was amazing. The diving. And the crew was very cool and worked super hard.

9.6 Exceptional
Rodney L
United States

Awesome experience

All dives

Recommended for: People, dive sites, avalibility

9.2 Superb
Kenneth F
United States

Great Trip

Relaxing attitude, great dive sites, very attentive staff.

Recommended for: The crew, the Captain and my fellow divers.

9.2 Superb
Michael M
United States

We had a great time with a great staff that was very competent and fun.

We were able to get a lot of dives in a short time. My wife is a novice diver and still had some anxiety about diving. The staff made her very comfortable with scuba diving. At the end of the trip my wife was ready to plan our next scuba diving trip. She loved it!

Recommended for: Safety conscious crew. Great dive sites. New friends made with other guests.

10 Exceptional
Ben L
United Kingdom

Brilliant trip, great staff, awesome dives, superb boat

- Shark feed and dives on Osprey reef - Fantastic weather and diving conditions - Excellent boat, all cabins clean and tidy, beds comfortable, fresh towels whenever requested. - Great food, like eating in a restaurant for all meals - Brilliant staff, all exceedingly friendly and happy to help no matter the time of day or night. Very professional and made the diving feel really easy and extremely safe.

Recommended for: great staff, awesome dives, superb boat

10 Exceptional
Terence K
United Kingdom

Doesn't get much better......

The diving was organised to a very professional standard. Nitrox was available (though an extra charge) and 15 litre tanks also available (again extra). Every dive was preceeded by a detailed briefing and a guide was available, though you could dive with a buddy if preferred. 4 or 5 dives a day were offered. Luckily we were blessed with great weather and easy dives. Probably the best dive was a shark feed - 40/50 reef sharks + giant cod all in a feeding frenzy. The food on board was excellent - all tastes and diets catered for. The cabins were very comfy - good bunks, adequate storage and functional bathroom. On the last night we had a party - some guests were professional musicians so we had a good show....& all the crew got everyone up dancing. I was a liveaboard virgin but now a total convert.

Recommended for: Organisation of diving, the crew, comfort of boat

8.0 Very good
Dirk V
Belgium

Excellent Diving on The Great Barrier Reef

*The nightdive with lots of sharks * The variety of divesites (pinnacles, walls, sandy slopes, soft and hard coral * a lot of life on the dive sites with great variety

Recommended for: The diving, the friendliness of the crew they go out of their way to make you feel at home, the peace and quiet at see (haven't seen another ship during the entire trip)

9.6 Exceptional
Agnieszka S
Poland

Superb

Diving

Recommended for: Diving, crew, food

8.0 Very good
Natasha S
United Kingdom

Great trip with the Minkies!!

The highlight of my trip was definitely getting to snorkel and dive with the whales. I found the boat to be well set out and relatively comfortable despite challenging conditions and the dive sites were varied and well briefed. The crew, especially Yella, were attentive and friendly and the rest of the divers all got on well together. Will def be booking another trip through liveaboard.com. Thank you

Recommended for: The whales, the diving, the crew

10 Exceptional
Christy R
New Zealand

Amazing

Would definitely recommend this to anyone to do. The Ribbon Reefs are a must see and Mike Ball expeditions and Spoilsport are the best way to experience it!

Recommended for: The diving, the crew, the reef

8.8 Fabulous
Terence K
United Kingdom

Beautiful Barrier Reef

Seeing the dratic pinaccles and corals of the Gt Barrier Reef.

Recommended for: Organisation of diving, reef, food on board

7.2 Good
Andreas K
Austria

It was a nice trip

The fly to Lizard Island

Recommended for: The fly to Lizard Island, the Nightdives, the last evening on board

9.6 Exceptional
Clive S
United Kingdom

Fantastic because of the Minke whales!

Minke whales. Humpback whales. Dive staff were outstanding. Word of caution though that in July the sea conditions can be very rough, so beware if you suffer from sea sickness. Still highly recommended!

Recommended for: Proximity to the Minke whales, professionalism of the staff, food.

9.2 Superb
Myriam G
Switzerland

Best LiveAbord experience in Australia

Shark diving

Recommended for: Great boat, top crew and dive material and sites

9.2 Superb
Martin C
Hong Kong

First time on a liveaboard

It was my first liveaboard experience, and I think I have been spoiled by the amazing trip: the crew were exceptionally friendly, the food was delicious, not to mention the amazing diving at the great barrier reef. My highlight was the shark attraction dive at Osprey reef!

Recommended for: Food, cabin crew, dive buddies

9.6 Exceptional
Chris P
Germany

Absolutely amazing trip on a nice and well organised boat

No other or to much other companies on the route. So it is not crowded and you can fully enjoy the reef

Recommended for: Service, food and friendly crew

9.6 Exceptional
Mary S
Greece

Exceeded our expectations

We had a wonderful adventure on the Spoilsport thanks to the attentive staff and all the comforts of home. The diving was spectacular, great sites and timing, including two fantastic night dives. We were relaxed and enjoyed ourselves immensely!!

Recommended for: Staff, diving, other passengers

8.4 Very good
Trevor D
United Kingdom

Amazing diving

The opportunity to have 4 dives a day and either go alone or dive with a guide. Friendly relaxing atmosphere on board a well maintained boat.

Recommended for: Good spacious boat, friendly and knowledgable crew, excellent diving

8.8 Fabulous
Weng Koon V
Malaysia

Efficient and well run

The Minke Whales of course

Recommended for: The seamless way everything ran - hassle free

9.6 Exceptional
Catherine A
Canada

Great trip, would totally recommend!

Everything is really well organised, hassle free and the staff (always happy to help)q does a great job. They set the standard pretty high in terms of customer service. Unfortunately, the diving didn't fully reach my expectations because the strong winds didn't allow us to go to the Coral Sea. It obviously isn't Mike Ball's fault and the captain told us his door was open for anyone who wanted more information about the weather conditions and the impact on our itinerary. The staff also made sure to provide us with detailed briefings of the dive sites to make sure we would still get the best out of it. There was also a dive guide jumping in at almost every dive, which was great for those who were not confident with their navigation skills.

Recommended for: Very friendly and helpful crew, the food was fresh with a good variety and all the diving activities were very well organised.

8.4 Very good
Willem F
South Africa

Could not fault anything.

Diving Steve's bommie, great crew especially Kiana, Joe the cook and the serenading captain. Lastly the comfort of the ship which was really shipshape, clean and well equipped.

Recommended for: Organized, crew, a lot of dive for your buck.

8.4 Very good
David N
Australia

Great boat and crew- bad weather itinerary

Winds gusting from 30-40 knots prevented us from going to Osprey, Bougainville and Holmes reefs. This was the Captains decision for both the safety and comfort of the passengers. A decision which reflects the operations attention to passenger safety. Unfortunately for me this section of the trip was the primary reason for taking the trip. I knocked a star off for the replacement dive sites and diving as they were overall, just OK. Steve's Bommie, Pixies Bommie and the Light House Bommie gave us some good dives. A night dive with Giant Trevally and dozens of sharks at Gotham City was a highlight. Overall, a great boat and crew. I will have no hesitation in traveling on Spoilsport again. Hopefully I will get the Osprey reef then.

Recommended for: The staff, crew and guides. The food and drinks. The operation of Spoilsport from its focus on safety to cleaning.

8.8 Fabulous
Andreas M
Belgium

Awsome

Awsome crew, awsome meals, awsome service!

Recommended for: Crew, service, meals

9.6 Exceptional
Hei Man C
Hong Kong

You will never regret it! :)

Mike Ball Spoilsport really lives up to its name. Our minke whale expedition is superb! We have numerous whale encounters every day. We even swam with sea turtles! No matter you’re a diver or a snorkeler, you will surely be having tons of fun.

Recommended for: Whale encounters, friendly and professional staff, food

10 Exceptional
Roberto G
Spain

Awesome

Minke Whales, Dive spots, food&drink, Boat, How to crew manage the expedition, safety on board, sustainability Tourism, summarizing it has been an outstanding experience!

Recommended for: Minke Whale Project, Dive Spots and the way the crew manage the expedition

9.2 Superb
Kathryn C
New Zealand

Swimming with 20+ minke whales, sharks, sea turtles & more!

Swimming with large groups of minke whales was incredible - they come so close to divers and snorkelers. The coral reefs are vibrant and full of sharks, fish, macro life and turtles. Incredible GBR outer-reef diving and the crew were so helpful and fun.

Recommended for: Minke whales, bull sharks, pygmy seahorses

9.6 Exceptional
Ngung Chia S
Singapore

Minke Minke every where

Saw Minke Whale 3 days in the 8D7N expedition. Some excellent diving sites e.g. lighthouse bommie. Rough sea due to strong wind but trip is comfortable because of excellent crew and food. Cabin is above average with adequate storage space for luggage and good air conditioner. Very detail dive briefing, making unguided dive not a problem. They also provide two complimentary guided dive per day for those that need them. Professional organisation on dive deck. Bonus information on marine life and minke whales from researcher on boat. Provide drop off service in Cairns area.

Recommended for: Minke Whale, Crew, Diving

9.6 Exceptional
Constanza V
Chile

Great experience with a great team onboard

diving

Recommended for: crew

8.4 Very good
Graham P
Australia

Great crew and experience

Osprey reef

Recommended for: The diving the location the crew

10 Exceptional
Andrew G
Australia

Absolutely brilliant

The shark feeding The barbecue on the last night The friendly crew The diving in general The organisation of everything was -spot on

Recommended for: The crew, the diving, our group in general. Everyone got along really well and we were from all corners of the globe.

9.6 Exceptional
James S
Canada

he boat has plenty of space and nice accommodations and the crew was excellent and met all of our requests.

The diving was great and the crew went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great time and was comfortable in the water.

Recommended for: Excellent dive sites, great crew, awesome food.

9.6 Exceptional
Simon H
Australia

Amazing. World class diving and first class service.

Osprey Reef!!! 40m+ viz and 2.5km drop off.

Recommended for: Crew, boat and dive destination. Osprey Reef was incredible.

8.8 Fabulous
catriona L
Australia

A truly Spectacular Expedition

We were lucky enough to have three dives near Raine Island and saw so many turtles that I lost count. Recommendation for future passengers, you will need to change out of your swimmers after each dive since the dining/lounge area is a dry area. Bring as many sets of swimmers as you can so that you don't have to struggle back into wet swimmers for each dive. Also, bring big clothes pegs to attach your wet swimmers to the railings to dry.

Recommended for: The dive sites, the crew and the company

8.4 Very good
Phil J
United Kingdom

Awesome diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Night diving with reef sharks.

Recommended for: Easy of diving, amount of dives, tranquility

9.6 Exceptional
Christopher F
United Kingdom

Dive a portion of reef where you are the only visitors

The service was brilliant from start to end, and this includes the people in the office. A great experience to see a range of species normally scared away at other sites due to the volume of divers. Recommendation leave only bubbles and take only pictures.

Recommended for: Sharks, cuttlefish and the staff

9.2 Superb
Eva W
Germany

A great experience both over and under water

We had a great time aboard the Spoilsport. The crew was amazing, always friendly, always good for a joke but still doing a very professional job and taking security very serious. The dive briefs were great, and the guides did their job very well. We had some bad luck with bad weather, but the schedule was quickly adjusted and we still got to have a ton of fun that day. The food was - simply put - amazing! If you‘re hoping to loose a few pounds - forget it! The flight back was another highlight. Seeing the reef from above after knowing what is going on under water puts it on a whole different level.

Recommended for: Crew, Food, Soft Corals

10 Exceptional
Wai Yee W
Hong Kong

Great Vacation with best service

Amazing diving in Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy it very much!

Recommended for: service, dive sites, photography

9.6 Exceptional
Francis R
Belgium

Awesome diving experience

From the first moment, everything was perfect! Awesome flight over the reef, super friendly staff, amazing diving spots, really the whole package. Will go diving with Mike Ball again for sure!

Recommended for: Diving spots - friendly crew - food

8.8 Fabulous
Gina M
Australia

Very enjoyable

Always the diving in clear, warm water

Recommended for: Comfortable bad, friendly staff, tasty food

9.2 Superb
Paul E
Australia

so well organised

the sites, the crew's attitude and there was leadership at the top.

Recommended for: 1 you knew exactly what was expected of you and when things were going to happen 2 the crew were obliging and friendly 3 the dive sites were very varied and challenging

10 Exceptional
Jasen A
Australia

Really well run dive operation. Seamless!

The diving, the staff, the food, the experience. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions are the best.

Recommended for: The organisation, the quality of dive sites, the quality of service.

8.8 Fabulous
Kirk L
Australia

Trip was awesome

Too many to mention but dive locations, the dives themselves , the whole crew were awesome we had so much fun and they were so professional, I was super impressed The food was to die for . And all this under trying conditions My dives were so good due to good locations great crew Loved every bit of it Thanks

Recommended for: Diving locations all staff food

8.8 Fabulous
FRANCESCO G
Australia

Awesome diving and great crew

Night Dives were awesome. Most day dives were excellent. Food was unbelievable and the crew were friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful and considerate.

Recommended for: Food Night Dives Crew

10 Exceptional
Henricus R
Australia

Exceptional live aboard trip

The relatively small number of divers meant that everyone got to know everyone else. Dive guides we available when needed, but not all dives were lead by a dive guide. I loved this: you and your buddy get to do your own thing at your own pace. Visibility was exceptional 30-50m on all dives, the water temp 29° and the sea life prolific.

Recommended for: 1) The enthusiasm and professionalism of the staff. 2) The diving - they don't call it the GREAT barrier Reef for nothing. 3) The food; great variety and delicious throughout

9.6 Exceptional
Robert S
Canada

First live aboard trip, sets a very high bar!

Visiting remote dive sights on the Osprey Reef and the shark dive, truly amazing! Also the final night of the trip we had a bbq and music courtesy of the captain and the crew. Made it a very memorable experience with new friendships. Can't wait to go back for another trip with them.

Recommended for: Great community feel, helpful staff who went above and beyond, very tasty food and beverages

8.4 Very good
FRANCESCO G
Australia

Mike Ball Diving always delivers the Ultimate experience.

The Yongala was definitely the major draw card. The crew were awesome as always and though the weather wasnt ideal the skipper made the most of it.

Recommended for: Yongala, Crew, boat

8.8 Fabulous
Joanne W
Australia

Best diversity on GBR - Coral Sea, Ribbon Reefs and Minkes

The shark dive at Osprey Reef was awesome. Bouganville Reef was pristine with a great diversity of fish and coral. The Cod Hole was fabulous, with very cheeky cod and lots of sharks and fish. We were a bit early in the seaon for swimming with the minkes but we saw them from the boat (and false killer whales).

Recommended for: Dive locations, staff and food

8.8 Fabulous
Igor L
United Kingdom

Fantastic variety of dive sites marine life and corals

Osprey North Horn shark dive, Cod Hole, Silvertip sharks, night dives, boat comfort, smooth dive operation, open deck, unlimited diving, food

Recommended for: Sharks, outer reefs, dive operation

9.2 Superb
Allison S
Australia

Superb Liveaboard and Diving

Had a fab time on the 7 Day Coral Sea Explorer. Highlights was definitely the diving on the outer reef systems, including Holmes, Bouganville and Osprey Reef systems. The staff were great and the marine biologist talks were amazing.

Recommended for: Service on Board, Quality of Diving and Marine Biologist Talks

10 Exceptional
Daniel T
Australia

Amazing trip

Every moment was a highlight, I'll 100% be coming on another trip with this liveaboard

Recommended for: the diving, the crew and the food

9.2 Superb
Rupert S
New Zealand

Fantastic variety

variety of life

Recommended for: Dive conditions, trust of staff in divers, trustworthy staff

8.8 Fabulous
Keith T
Australia

Don't dive with Spoilsport if you don't want the best.

If you don't want to exerience the Barrier Reef in the best way possible don't dive with Spoilsport. If you have no interest in Reef ecology and learning how to protect it don't dive with Spoilsport.

Recommended for: If you don't want a totally professional crew don't dive with Spoilsport. If you don't want a crew that cares about your welfare and safety don't dive with Spoilsport. If you don't want a team that knows the Barrier Reef don't dive with Spoilsport

8.8 Fabulous
Nicholas S
Australia

Excellent organisation

Spending time with my son enjoying a passion in common with likeminded diverse divers from all over the world. Learnt from them about new places to explore whilst sharing this adventure.

Recommended for: The staff,diving organisation and comfortable boat.

8.4 Very good
lorin M
Australia

Well managed

Good dive sites

Recommended for: Staff experienced and patient, excellent food, good dive sites

8.8 Fabulous
Thomas K
United Kingdom

Fantastic Liveaboard!

The access to quality dive sites and expert knowledge of the area. Being given freedom to dive to my standard.

Recommended for: Marine life, staff and food

9.2 Superb
William S
Canada

Great time on the Great Barrier Reef!

Nothing like a night dive!

Recommended for: Overall great experience

Spoilsport Liveaboard, Australia

Highlights

Choose your departure date

2023

2024

2025

Boat features

Food & Drinks

Diving

Gear Rental

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Accommodation

Budget Cabin

Club Cabins

Standard Cabins

Premium Cabins

Boat Specifications

Boat Navigation and Safety

Spoilsport Reviews

Fantastic time exploring the Great Barrier reef.

Amazing trip

Mitch & Mimi's GBR Dive Experience

Exceeded expectations and the absolute best way to experience the Great Barrier Reef.

Retired

Fabulous Experience

awesome

Excellent Trip in Maldives with Scubaspa

Excellent Trip in GBR with Spoilsport

Hands down, the best dive experience I've had around the world since I got certified in 1984!

Great

Best of the Best!

Amazing trip!

Amazing staff and boat!

So happy I booked with Mike Ball SpoilSport

Amazing experience

Amazing service and amazing diving

Stellar Crew and Diving

These memories will last a lifetime and will always be at the top of the list!

Absolutely incredible experience

Just an all around great experience, from crew, accomodations, and diving.

Great accommodations and a very competent and caring crew. What more could one ask for?

Outstanding all around

Experience of a lifetime.

Great trip to the far north

Amazing dive experience on first-class boat.

Diving the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef

We have a great time onboard with spoilsport

Lovely crew, great food and good fun!

A life changing experience

This was the best dive trip I have ever been on, and I cannot wait for the next experience with SpoilSport!

Trip of a lifetime!

Five stars all the way.

Great staff, great food, very informative, loved my trip overall.

Great time at GBR

THE BEST CREW I HAVE EVER SEEN

Great food, diving and strict adherence to diving safety protocols.

I can't wait to do this trip again!!

Amazing first time liveaboard experience!

Exceeded expectations!

Wonderful trip above and below the water!

It was great. The shark feeding dive was the best part for me personally.

Fantastic!

Excellent!

Absolutely amazing experience with an incredible crew!

Awesome experience

Great Trip

We had a great time with a great staff that was very competent and fun.

Brilliant trip, great staff, awesome dives, superb boat

Doesn't get much better......

Excellent Diving on The Great Barrier Reef

Superb

Great trip with the Minkies!!

Amazing

Beautiful Barrier Reef

It was a nice trip

Fantastic because of the Minke whales!

Best LiveAbord experience in Australia

First time on a liveaboard

Absolutely amazing trip on a nice and well organised boat

Exceeded our expectations