• 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 

The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia isn’t called ‘Great’ for nothing. Renowned throughout the world for its amazing array of marine and coral life this is your chance of a lifetime to tick this 3 night Cairns dive trip off your diving list.

What to Expect

On this 3-night liveaboard dive trip from Cairns, you'll have the opportunity to dive some of the most pristine and untouched dive sites on the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. The dive and snorkel tour journey begins with a scenic low-level flight from Cairns to Lizard Island, offering breathtaking aerial views of the reef, the Emily Wreck, and the Continental Shelf. After arriving at Lizard Island, you'll board one of Australia’s most awarded liveaboard vessels, designed for divers by divers.

Over the next four days, you’ll experience 12 incredible dives, including world-renowned dive sites like Cod Hole and Steve’s Bommie. Expect to encounter an abundance of marine life, from the iconic Potato Cod to sharks, turtles, and a vibrant array of reef fish. Between June and August, lucky divers may even spot Dwarf Minke Whales and Humpback Whales as they migrate through the area.

Your time on the Cairns dive boat will be both relaxing and exhilarating. Accommodations range from premium queen cabins to bunk beds, catering to all preferences. The dive boat provides top-notch facilities, including dedicated camera rinse tanks, photo stations, and charging points for all your diving gear and photography needs. Plus, delicious meals are prepared onboard by professional chefs, ensuring that your trip is as enjoyable above water as it is beneath the surface.

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

Features and Highlights

Scenic Flight from Cairns to Lizard Island

Start your adventure with a spectacular flight over the Great Barrier Reef, cruising at just 600 feet. This low-level flight to Lizard Island allows you to see some of the reef's most iconic sites from above, including Cape Tribulation and the point where two World Heritage sites—the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef—collide.

World-Class Diving on the Ribbon Reefs

This liveaboard dive trip takes you to the heart of the Ribbon Reefs, a 150-mile stretch of pristine coral reef between Lizard Island and Cooktown. These reefs are home to over 1,500 species of fish, 400 types of coral, and numerous other marine creatures, making it one of the most biodiverse dive regions in the world.

• Cod Hole: Meet the giant Potato Cod, friendly fish that are used to divers and love interacting up close. You'll also encounter white tip and leopard sharks, as well as the playful Giant Bumphead Parrotfish.
• Steve’s Bommie: This dive site is a photographer's dream, with nudibranchs, anemones, and schooling fish like trevally and barracuda creating a stunning underwater landscape.

Minke Whale Season (June to August)

During the winter months, Dwarf Minke Whales migrate to the Ribbon Reefs, offering a rare opportunity for divers to swim with these curious creatures. These gentle giants are known to approach boats and snorkelers, making for an unforgettable wildlife encounter.

Night Dives

Get a different perspective of the reef by diving at night. You’ll see nocturnal marine life, including sleeping turtles, hunting octopuses, and the glowing display of the flame file clam.

Luxury on Board

The Cairns dive boat boasts 14 cabins, including options ranging from Premium Queen rooms to bunk bed accommodations. All rooms are air-conditioned and serviced daily, providing you with comfort and convenience throughout the trip.

• Facilities for Photographers: The dive boat is designed to cater to the needs of underwater photographers, with multi-level camera tables, dedicated rinse tanks, and plenty of charging points.
• Dining: Enjoy gourmet meals prepared by professional chefs. Whether you're diving or relaxing on the upper deck, you’ll be well-fed with high-quality meals throughout the trip.

Additional Dive Features

• Nitrox and Re-Breather Support: If you’re a certified Nitrox diver, this trip offers Nitrox tanks to extend your bottom time and increase safety. Support is also available for re-breather divers (with advance notice).
• Courses Available: Divers aged 12 and above can take part in this adventure, and introductory courses for Nitrox are available if you want to take your skills to the next level.
• Safety: Safety is a top priority on this trip. The liveaboard crew is highly experienced, and all dive operations adhere to the most stringent safety standards.

Sample Dive Sites

• Cod Hole: Famous for its giant Potato Cod that are as big as divers. This site also attracts a variety of sharks and other large fish.
• Steve’s Bommie: A macro photographer’s paradise, with vibrant nudibranchs, anemones, and scorpionfish among its many inhabitants.
• Snake Pit: An exciting dive site where you’ll encounter sea snakes and reef sharks, along with healthy coral gardens.
• Lizard Island: A midpoint on your expedition, where you can explore Lizard Island’s natural beauty, including Cook’s Look, the viewpoint used by Captain Cook to navigate the reef.

This 3-night Fly Dive Cod Hole expedition is the perfect way to experience the best of the Great Barrier Reef. With 12 dives at world-class sites, a scenic flight from Cairns, and luxurious accommodations, this trip promises to be an unforgettable adventure. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, this liveaboard experience will allow you to explore the reef’s incredible biodiversity and make memories that last a lifetime.

See all overnight dive and snorkel tours from Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.

Read The Tour Specialists Blog on all the things you need to know before you go.  

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Trips - Coral Sea - Cod Hole

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 ). This 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 to ‘wow’ at for every diver. 

If you are a non diver and prefer to stay on top of the water and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef then 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!

Dive Operations on the Great Barrier Reef are the most stringently controlled in the world for safety and hygiene and all the crew and people on board are highly trained professionals that will ensure that your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.

Great Barrier Reef - 3 night Liveaboard Dive Tour

Your day will start at 7.00am when you will be taken from the Cairns dive tour office to the airport to catch your light plane.

The plane which will transport you on a specially designed 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. 

The plane will fly at a low 180m (600ft) , so you will have a wonderful view all along your 150 mile journey as you will soar over the most amazing flora and fauna in the world.  See how two World Heritage sites collide in an explosion of colour underneath you.

You will then arrive at the remote world famous Lizard Island.

A high outcrop on Lizard Island was the place that 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.

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.  

Your liveaboard dive boat will greet you at Lizard Island ready for your experience.

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

On this excursion you will have a total of 12 dives in one of the most prized dive destinations in the world.  You will explore Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and 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.

A Sample Of 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 Wally 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.  

Lizard & North Direction Islands

Explore these remote islands by diving, snorkelling, kayaking or walking; stunning vistas looking out from Chinaman’s Ridge on Lizard Island to Watsons bay below. Experience the solitude visiting the beautiful beaches and fringing shallow coral gardens of North Direction Island.

Ribbon Reefs

Between Lizard Island and Cooktown the reef sits right on the edge of the Continental Shelf, bringing in an upwelling of nutrient rich water attracting large fish populations and diverse corals.  Around 1,500 fish and 400 coral species live here from small critters to large pelagics.

The Cod Hole

The Cod Hole is famous for its diver-sized potato cod. These fish are incredibly inquisitive and don’t mind getting very chummy with divers. A great opportunity to capture photographs of these magnificent characters or simply hang out and enjoy their company.

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.  

Gotham City

Named after the batfish that live here, this site also attracts decent numbers of sharks and giant trevally.  A particularly exciting night dive with congregations of hunting fish.  This site also has one of the biggest beds of Pavona clavas coral stretching for approx thirty metres.

Pixie Pinnacle

An exciting pinnacle dive, draped in soft corals and absolutely heaving with fish life.  Spiral your way up the pinnacle and search for interesting critters such as the flame file clam, or ‘disco clam’, named for the flashing light that appears to pulse along its mantle.

Coral Kingdom

A fantastic coral dive with vast beds of staghorn and other varieties, and dotted with colourful giant clams.  Bump headed parrotfish and inquisitive barracuda cruise the site along with schools of other reef fish.

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 Wall
• Flare Point
• Trolly Shoal
• Blue Lagoon

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Boat Specifications

• 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

Cairns Dive Boat 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.

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.

Meals provided on board

• Continental Breakfast
• Full Breakfast
• Mid morning snacks and fruits available
• Lunch
• Fruit and snacks
• Dinner

Cairns 3 Night Liveaboard Dive Tour 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.
• Spoilsport cruises 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.

Read more about the wonderful Cairns dive trips and dedicated marine life encounter tours. 

Want to know more about swimming with whales on the Great Barrier Reef? Read our whale blog pages.

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