Spirit of Freedom - TRIP Gallery

Mon 18th July 2011 - Mon 25th July 2011

This week we had a group of divers from the Adventure Scuba Company in Virginia, USA join us on a 7 day expedition. For the First 3 days we dove the Ribbon Reefs, then spent 2 days at Osprey Reef before heading back for 1 more day of diving in the southern Ribbon Reefs. For the first few days the surface conditions were a little choppy however underwater it was calm with 20m+ visibility. Towards the latter half of the week the wind died off a little and the choppy surface conditions subsided. For most of the trip the sun was out allowing full advantage of the sun deck.

There were 2 major highlights of the first half of the trip, swimming with up to 6 Minke Whales on a number of occasions and the cod feed. The Minke Whales were very curious of us divers with many swimming around us at arms distance, was unreal. The cod were very enthusiastic with over 6 cod turning up for the feed and putting on quiet the show.

Other interesting marine life spotted included many cuttle fish, a few giant moray eels, picturesque diagonal banded sweetlips hanging off some bolder coral and an abundance of healthy coral. I spent many dives nudibranch and flatworm hunting with a very eager bunch of divers. We were successful finding many colourful and unique species. The sea snakes were another highlight for many along with the giant clams and flame file shell.

Diving Osprey Reef was a highlight in itself. The 1000m+ walls covered in coral make for excellent visibility and some huge marine life. We spotted a few hammerheads, silver tips and a manta ray. The shark feed lived up to its reputation with over 30 hungry sharks violently destroying their meal. Many classified this as the best dive they had ever done, which says a lot considering the experience our divers had. The trip just kept getting better and better with a plethora of wildlife seen, including an eagle ray on the last dive.

Well done to Bill Toti for reaching his 200th dive and Chris Miles for reaching his 100th aboard spirit of freedom.

Cheers for an awesome trip guys.
Chris Haslam, Trip Director.

Phone :	+61 (0) 7 4047 9150
Fax :	+61 (0) 7 4047 9110
Email :
PO Box 1276, Cairns QLD 4870 Australia

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Spirit of Freedom - TRIP Gallery

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