Spirit of Freedom https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/ Cairns liveaboard - dive the Great Barrier Reef & Coral Sea Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:22:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sof-favicon.png Spirit of Freedom https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/ 32 32 Trip Report: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs (19th to 26th Feb 2026) https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/trip-reports/cod-hole-ribbon-reefs-19th-to-26th-feb-2026/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:04:24 +0000 https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/?p=18069

Trip Stats

  • Dates: 19th to 26th Feb 2026
  • Air Temp: 34°C | Water Temp: 29°C
  • Wind: 10 to 20 kn NE | Vis: 20 to 50m
  • Itinerary: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs

This late February voyage aboard Spirit of Freedom enjoyed hot, calm conditions and a full Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea itinerary, with light winds and exceptional offshore visibility reaching up to 50 metres.

The trip began at Norman Reef with green sea turtles and marble rays before the northern Ribbons delivered strong biodiversity. Pixie Pinnacle revealed leaf scorpionfish and lionfish, while Google Gardens and Challenger Bay produced Queensland groupers, chevron barracuda, moray eels, and grey reef sharks. At Ribbon Reef 10 and the Cod Hole, guests experienced classic potato cod encounters, bumphead parrotfish, marble rays, and hawksbill turtles. Eleonore and Ryan completed their Advanced Open Water certification during this leg.

Changeover dives featured a rare melanistic manta at Pixie Wall alongside Spanish mackerel and barracuda. With calm seas holding, the expedition pushed wide to Shark Reef, Osprey, and Bougainville. Silvertip sharks, dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, chevron barracuda, and potato cod were seen across the Coral Sea sites, with a hammerhead shark sighted at Middle Earth. Alexandra and Eleonore completed Nitrox certifications, while Hoi Ting finished her Advanced course.

The voyage concluded at Ribbon Reef 3 with dolphins at Flair Point, devil rays and cuttlefish at Joanies Joy, and wobbegong sharks at Steve’s Bommie. A diverse species list, rare pelagic sightings, and glass out conditions offshore made this a standout Coral Sea expedition.

 

Trip Report 19th-26th Feb 2026

    • Why Travel with Spirit of Freedom

    Experience the Great Barrier Reef with Australia’s premier liveaboard diving operator.

    Highly regarded Operator

    Long term experience and established reputation for exceptional diving expeditions

    Small Group Expeditions

    Expeditions with around 20 to 26 guests for personalised experience

    Expert Crew

    Experienced team with deep reef knowledge and commit to your safety

    Premier Dive Sites

    Access to remote uncrowded dive locations.

    Purpose Built Vessel

    Comfortable, modern Liveaboard designed specifically for diving expeditions.

    Safety & Marine Park Compliance

    Full Marine Park compliance and exceptional safety standards on every expedition.

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    ]]>         Trip Report: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs (12th to 19th Feb 2026) https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/trip-reports/cod-hole-ribbon-reefs-12th-to-19th-feb-2026/ Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:56:49 +0000 https://www.spiritoffreedom.com.au/?p=18115

    Trip Stats

    • Dates: 12th to 19th Feb 2026
    • Air Temp: 29°C
    • Water Temp: 29°C Wind: 10 to 20 kn NE
    • Visibility: 7 to 15m
    • Itinerary: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs

    This expedition delivered a dynamic week across the northern Ribbon Reefs, defined by strong marine life encounters and a flexible itinerary.

    The trip opened at Saxon Reef with four turtles gathered at a cleaning station, surgeonfish spawning, and a barramundi cod cruising the reef. Ribbon Reef 9 and 10 showcased classic biodiversity, from boxfish and nudibranchs to grey reef sharks and barracuda, while night dives at Challenger Bay revealed moray eels, blue spotted lagoon rays, and hunting sharks.

    At the Cod Hole, resident potato cod and a lingering leopard shark provided memorable close encounters, joined by a tawny nurse shark and schooling trevally nearby. Masayuki and Rina completed Nitrox certifications with Taku, with Rina also earning her Advanced certification.

    As northerly winds shaped the second half, the focus shifted to exploratory wild side dives along the Ribbons. Highlights included schooling bumphead parrotfish, white tip sharks, harlequin filefish, pygmy devil rays, eagle rays, and epaulette sharks on night dives. The voyage concluded at Ribbon Reef 3 with wobbegong sharks, stonefish, and giant clams, while honeymooners Ines and Pablo celebrated on board, closing out a diverse and memorable expedition.

    • Why Travel with Spirit of Freedom

    Experience the Great Barrier Reef with Australia’s premier liveaboard diving operator.

    Highly regarded Operator

    Long term experience and established reputation for exceptional diving expeditions

    Small Group Expeditions

    Expeditions with around 20 to 26 guests for personalised experience

    Expert Crew

    Experienced team with deep reef knowledge and commit to your safety

    Premier Dive Sites

    Access to remote uncrowded dive locations.

    Purpose Built Vessel

    Comfortable, modern Liveaboard designed specifically for diving expeditions.

    Safety & Marine Park Compliance

    Full Marine Park compliance and exceptional safety standards on every expedition.

    See upcoming Liveaboard Trips

    «  Back to Trip Reports

    ]]>     Trip Report: Cod Hole & Ribbon Reefs (12-19 Feb 2026) | Spirit of Freedom nonadult