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Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Diving – MV Spoilsport
Explore Australia's Coral Sea, Ribbon Reefs & Remote Dive Sites
Some images provided by Mike Ball Expeditions
Discover Great Barrier Reef liveaboard diving
Explore the remote reefs of Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea aboard MV Spoilsport, the purpose-built 30-metre dive catamaran operated by Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.
Designed for dedicated divers and underwater photographers, MV Spoilsport offers access to extraordinary dive sites, from the giant potato cod of the Ribbon Reefs to the dramatic coral walls and shark encounters of Osprey Reef.
With comfortable accommodation, excellent camera facilities and a flexible open-deck diving policy, these expeditions offer an exceptional opportunity to experience some of Australia's most remarkable underwater environments.
Why Dive the MV Spoilsport?
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Purpose-built 30-metre dive catamaran accommodating up to 28 guests
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Flexible open-deck diving policy, subject to dive safety requirements
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Access to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and remote Coral Sea reefs
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Spectacular shark encounters, coral walls and diverse marine life
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Dedicated underwater camera tables and rinse facilities
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Comfortable air-conditioned accommodation
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Full-board dining throughout the expedition
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Experienced dive crew and spacious dive deck
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Opportunities for multiple daily dives, including night diving, depending on itinerary
Explore the Dive Destinations
Ribbon Reefs & Cod Hole
Spectacular coral gardens, giant potato cod, sea snakes and colourful marine life, with seasonal opportunities to encounter dwarf minke whales.
Osprey Reef - Coral Sea
Dramatic walls, clear blue water and memorable shark encounters at sites including North Horn.
Holmes Reef & Exploratory Expeditions
Remote Coral Sea diving with steep reef walls, pelagic marine life and remarkable underwater topography, on selected itineraries.
MV Spoilsport – 7-Night Great Barrier Reef & Coral Sea Expeditions
Coral Sea Safari – 7 Nights / Up to 26 Dives from AUD 4,808 per person twin share
The Coral Sea Safari combines two of Australia's most celebrated diving environments in one remarkable week aboard MV Spoilsport.
Explore the dramatic blue-water walls of Osprey Reef, where reef sharks patrol the drop-offs and schooling pelagic fish gather in the currents.
The expedition then takes in the spectacular Ribbon Reefs of the northern Great Barrier Reef, famous for their vibrant coral gardens, sea snakes, turtles and enormous potato cod at Cod Hole.
Covering approximately 450 miles, this expedition offers an extraordinary contrast between the shark-filled waters of the Coral Sea and the colourful biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef.
Good For: Shark encounters, giant potato cod, colourful reefs, wide-angle underwater photography and divers wanting the best of both regions.
MV Spoilsport – 7-Night Great Barrier Reef Exploratory Expedition
Coral Sea Exploratory Safari – 7 Nights / Up to 28 Dives from AUD 4,950 per person twin share
For divers seeking a more adventurous expedition, the Coral Sea Exploratory ventures farther offshore to the remote reef systems of Holmes, Bougainville and Osprey, while also exploring the beautiful Ribbon Reefs.
At Holmes Reef, towering coral pinnacles, deep walls and magnificent soft corals create dramatic underwater landscapes. Bougainville Reef offers fascinating caverns, swim-throughs and large schooling fish, while Osprey Reef delivers exhilarating shark encounters and exceptional blue-water diving.
This expedition is particularly rewarding for underwater photographers and divers who enjoy remote locations, spectacular underwater topography and the possibility of encounters with larger marine life.
Good For: Remote reef exploration, shark diving, deep walls, caverns, soft corals, pelagic encounters and underwater photography.
Ribbon Reefs & Cod Hole – The Great Barrier Reef
The Ribbon Reefs stretch along the northern Great Barrier Reef between Cooktown and Lizard Island, where nutrient-rich waters support an extraordinary diversity of coral and marine life. This beautiful reef system is renowned for its colourful coral gardens, isolated pinnacles, sea snakes, turtles, reef sharks and vast schools of tropical fish.
Among its most celebrated dive sites is Cod Hole, famous for its enormous, inquisitive potato cod, which often approach divers at remarkably close range. Other highlights include Steve's Bommie, Pixie Pinnacle and Lighthouse Bommie, where coral-covered formations attract everything from tiny nudibranchs and scorpionfish to barracuda, trevally and reef sharks.
For underwater photographers, the Ribbon Reefs offer a wonderful balance of wide-angle reef scenery, charismatic marine life and intricate macro subjects. During June and July, the region also provides seasonal opportunities to encounter dwarf minke whales.
Ribbon Reefs & Cod Hole
Good For:
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Giant potato cod encounters
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Colourful coral gardens and pinnacles
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Underwater macro photography
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Sea snakes, turtles and reef fish
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Dwarf minke whale encounters (seasonal)
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Divers seeking a variety of marine life
Osprey Reef – Sharks & Dramatic Coral Sea Walls
Far beyond the outer Great Barrier Reef, Osprey Reef rises from the deep waters of the Coral Sea, offering some of Australia's most dramatic underwater scenery. Its sheer walls descend into seemingly endless blue water, decorated with colourful sea fans, soft corals and intricate reef formations.
Osprey Reef is particularly famous for its shark encounters at North Horn, where grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks and silvertip sharks gather around the reef. The combination of clear oceanic water, dramatic topography and large marine predators creates an unforgettable diving experience.
Other remarkable sites include False Entrance, known for schooling barracuda, trevally and occasional hammerhead sightings, and Fairy Grotto, where towering coral formations, caverns and swim-throughs provide extraordinary underwater landscapes.
For photographers and experienced divers, Osprey Reef offers a striking contrast to the colourful shallower reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, with its emphasis on big marine life, deep walls and spectacular blue-water scenery.
Osprey Reef
Good For:
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Shark encounters and large marine life
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Spectacular deep walls and drop-offs
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Wide-angle underwater photography
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Schooling barracuda and trevally
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Clear blue-water diving
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Experienced divers seeking adventurous diving
Holmes Reef – Remote Coral Sea Wilderness
Holmes Reef lies approximately 240 kilometres east of Cairns, deep in the Coral Sea. Remote and rarely visited compared with the main Great Barrier Reef, this spectacular reef system is characterised by dramatic underwater pinnacles, steep walls, caverns and magnificent soft coral formations.
One of its most extraordinary dive sites is Nonki Bommie, a towering coral pinnacle rising from approximately 35 metres to the surface. A deep fissure cuts through the formation, its walls decorated with enormous yellow and orange sea fans, colourful sponges and delicate soft corals. Reef sharks and schooling fish frequently patrol the surrounding blue water.
Another highlight, aptly named Amazing, features white sand slopes, imposing coral formations and underwater passageways, with grey reef sharks and silvertips among the marine life encountered.
Holmes Reef is particularly appealing to divers and underwater photographers who appreciate remote reef environments, dramatic underwater architecture and the extraordinary colours and textures of Coral Sea soft corals.
Holmes Reef
Good For:
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Remote, less-frequently visited dive sites
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Magnificent sea fans and soft corals
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Dramatic pinnacles, caverns and swim-throughs
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Reef sharks and schooling fish
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Underwater landscape photography
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Experienced divers who enjoy exploratory-style diving
Life Aboard MV Spoilsport
Life aboard MV Spoilsport combines adventurous diving with the comfort of a purpose-built liveaboard. Between dives, guests can relax in the spacious lounge, enjoy freshly prepared meals in the dining room or exchange stories with fellow divers.
The vessel has been designed with underwater photographers in mind, with dedicated camera facilities, generous dive deck space and practical equipment storage. Comfortable cabins, welcoming communal areas and an experienced crew make MV Spoilsport an excellent base for exploring the remote reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.
MV Spoilsport – Cabins & Accommodation
After a day exploring the spectacular reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, MV Spoilsport offers comfortable, practical accommodation designed with divers in mind.
The vessel has four cabin categories to suit different preferences and budgets, from spacious premium cabins to more economical shared-facility accommodation. All cabins are air-conditioned, with comfortable bedding and convenient access to the vessel's communal areas.
Whether travelling as a couple, with a dive buddy or independently, guests can choose the accommodation that best suits their expedition and budget.
Included with Every Cabin
All cabins are air-conditioned and serviced daily, with bedding, storage space and reading lights. Guests also have access to the vessel's dining room, comfortable lounge, bar, outdoor decks and specialist diving facilities.
Premium Cabins – Ocean Views & Ensuite
The most spacious accommodation aboard MV Spoilsport, Premium Cabins feature a queen or double bed, large ocean-view window and private ensuite bathroom.
An excellent choice for couples who prefer additional comfort and space during their liveaboard expedition.
Standard Cabins – Twin Beds & Ocean Views
Standard Cabins offer two separate single beds, an ocean-view window and private ensuite bathroom. A comfortable and practical choice for friends or dive buddies travelling together.
Standard Cabins – Twin Beds & Ocean Views
Standard Cabins offer two separate single beds, an ocean-view window and private ensuite bathroom. A comfortable and practical choice for friends or dive buddies travelling together.
Budget Cabins – Affordable Liveaboard Accommodation
Budget Cabins offer upper and lower single bunk beds with shared bathroom facilities located outside the cabin. Ideal for divers who prefer to spend their budget on the underwater experience rather than cabin upgrades.
