Want to be notified of special trips and prices? Subscribe to our mailing list.

Request information or order our beautiful full color latest catalog.

Australia's Dive Resorts | Australian Live-aboards

Australia Live Aboards

MV Spirit of Freedom | Mike Ball | Taka | Tusa

Australia's diving is best reached by live-aboard. Dive Cruises from 3 days to 2 weeks can be combined with outstanding topside excursions for the ultimate Dive Discovery vacation!

MV Spirit of Freedom

INTRODUCING THE NEW SPIRIT IN DIVING

Tusa Dive is an Australian owned and operated company. Since 1986 we have taken great pride in providing international guests with superior day diving experiences and custom live-aboard dive charters. Now we have the greatest pleasure to introduce you to our newest vessel - Spirit of Freedom.

MV Spirit of Freedom started dive trips to Australia's Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef in 2002. At 120 feet, Spirit is one of Australia's largest liveaboard dive vessels. She features three decks of spacious comfort, including sun deck, lounge and bar, dining saloon, and huge dive deck. Equipped with electronic stabilizers, silent generators, and fully air-conditioned throughout, the Spirit offers smooth and comfortable cruising.

Divers can join Spirit of Freedom for 3, 4 and 7 day dive adventures to Australia's Coral Sea and Cod Hole. Twice-weekly departures from Cairns will include a 3 Day/ 3 Night Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs trip, and a 4 Day/ 4 Night Coral Sea trip. The two trips combined make a unique 7 day itinerary to some of the world's best diving destinations.

While the diving may be out of this world, the facilities and service on board Spirit of Freedom enhance the whole experience. Roomy cabins, all with private en-suite and individual temperature control, are serviced daily and make a comfortable retreat at the end of the day's diving. Delicious chef prepared meals can be enjoyed throughout the day and complimentary Australian wines, beers and soft drinks are offered with dinner. There is also a fully stocked bar, a comprehensive marine library, and VCR/DVD movies for relaxation after diving. Nitrox fills, PADI Advanced Courses, digital camera hire and CD downloading are also available on board.

A multi-talented and professional crew will look after your clients in and out of water needs. The dive team are experienced locals, only too happy to share their extensive reef knowledge as well as a little 'Aussie' good humour.

Please take time to peruse the enclosed information. Should you have any further queries, we welcome your enquiry. We look forward to working with you in offering your clients Australia's best diving on our luxury class dive vessel.

3 DAY COD HOLE & RIBBON REEFS

Includes return flight from Lizard Island over the reef

Departing	Cairns 12:00 noon Monday
Returning	Cairns 12:00 noon Thursday

Trip Includes
· Transfers to/ from Cairns city accommodation
· Low level reef flight - Lizard Island to Cairns
· Opportunity for 10 dives
· En-suite cabin with daily service
· Chef prepared meals
· Australian wines & soft drinks with evening meals

Special note: Due to light aircraft weight restrictions, your total luggage weight is limited to 20 kilograms/ 45 lb per person. All bags must be soft sided.

Sample Itinerary

Monday: Boarding Spirit of Freedom at 11:15am at Trinity Wharf (complimentary transfers from Cairns city hotels are available) for a 12 noon departure. Lunch will be served on board while we cruise to the Great Barrier Reef to the north of Cairns, for an afternoon orientation dive and a twilight or night dive.

Tuesday: Today we dive Steve's Bommie, on Ribbon Reef # 3. This is an isolated pinnacle that rises from 100 feet at its base to around 15 feet from the surface. Colourful antheas and a vast array of fish cover this bommie, while big eye trevally and barracuda hang out in the blue. Look for nudibranch and stonefish. Today we may also dive the Clam Gardens, where giant clams up to three feet across will amaze you. Some of our other favourite sites in this area of the Ribbons include Flare Point and the beautiful Gorgonia Wall.

Wednesday: This morning we will dive the Cod Hole. This is a popular dive site famous for it's resident family of large Potato Cod, (Groper). Good opportunity for photographers. We may also dive Dynamite Pass, possibly as a drift dive, well known as a channel for sharks cruising from the Coral Sea to the Barrier Reef. This afternoon we may dive Lighthouse Bommie, where Golden sea snakes are frequently sighted. In the spring months this site is also a Manta Ray cleaning station. Other sites we may visit today include Challenger Bay and Pixie Wall. This evening we cruise into Watson's Bay on Lizard Island where we will overnight in the lea of the island.

Thursday: This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you have the opportunity to go ashore and explore Lizard Island. At 10:30am you will board a twin-engine light aircraft at Lizard Island for your low level flight over the reef back to Cairns. Arriving back at Cairns airport at approximately 12:00 noon, the Spirit of Freedom courtesy coach will meet you for your transfer back to your Cairns city hotel.

Please note that above itinerary is a sample only and sites may vary or the sequence may change in accordance to the weather and the accessibility.

COD HOLE, RIBBON REEFS & CORAL SEA, 7 DAY ITINERARY | 4 DAY CORAL SEA

CABINS
12 Private and spacious cabins, all air-conditioned with own ensuite

1 x Ocean View Deluxe
Very large cabin, with double bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, 2 bed side tables, TV/DVD, CD stereo
1 x Ocean View
Smaller cabin with double bed, wardrobe, 1 bedside table, TV/VCR, CD stereo
1 x Stateroom
Very spacious cabin with queen bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, 2 bed side tables, TV/DVD, CD.
5 x Double or Twin
Double bed with single over, wardrobe, 1 bedside table
1 x Double
Double bed only, wardrobe, 1 bedside table
1 x Twin
Share Bunk beds with king single under, single over, wardrobe
2 x Quad
Share 4 single beds, bunk style, wardrobe.

HIRE EQUIPMENT
All individual scuba gear items
Suunto Dive Computers
Oceanic Nitrox Computers
Nitrox Fills
Sea & Sea MX 10 Cameras & Strobe Digital Cameras

THE CREW
Our multi-talented and professional crew will look after your clients in and out of water needs. The dive team are experienced locals, only too happy to share their extensive reef knowledge as well as a little 'Aussie' good humour.

>> more Australia Live Aboards

Australia's Dive Resorts | Australian Live-aboards