Spirit Of Freedom | 3 Night Minke Whale & Ribbon Reef Trip

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Departure Times

Departs: 11:30am - 12 & 26 June | 10, 17 & 24 July 2025
Returns: 12:00pm - Please Enquire

Join Spirit of Freedom for a rare experience in June and July swimming with Minke Whales on the Great Barrier Reef! 

  • Spend an amazing 3 days and 3 nights exploring premium Ribbon Reef sites
  • Chance to swim with Dwarf Minke Whales on the Great Barrier Reef!
  • Enjoy a scenic flight from Lizard Island back to Cairns
  • Up to 11 dives, comfortable accommodation and chef-prepared meals

Overview

Spirit of Freedom's 3 Day 3 Night Minke Whale Cod Hole and Ribbon Reef Expedition is a once in a lifetime experience that delivers the thrill of swimming with Dwarf Minke Whales! Join an endorsed tourism operator that lets you contribute to ongoing research of documenting whale biology and behaviour. Visit the 5 Star lizard Island where you'll board your return flight back to Cairns. 

Highlights

  • 3 Days and 3 Nights exploring the Great Barrier Reef
  • Comfortable air conditioned and ensuited cabins 
  • Chef-prepared meals, with snacks and drinks 
  • Up to 11 dives with maximum time swimming with whales
  • Tanks and weights included with option to rent gear or BYO
  • Visit premium dive sites within the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs
  • Suitable for snorkellers and competent divers with good fitness
  • Enjoy time on Lizard Island before flying back to Cairns
  • Snorkeller only package receives $200 discount

Spirit of Freedom Vessel GBR

Sample Itinerary

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Day One

The Spirit of Freedom courtesy bus will pick you up from your Cairns hotel around 10:30am and transfer you to Trinity Wharf. There you will be greeted by the Spirit of Freedom crew, who will give you an orientation of the vessel before departing at 11.30 am. Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for an afternoon check-out dive and a twilight or night dive. ...

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Accommodation

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Ocean View Deluxe

Located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck, the Ocean View Deluxe Cabin boats a 10.5m² area with 3 large windows overlooking the starboard side of the vessel. A comfy double bed will ensure yo...

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Important Information

  • The tour is suitable for ages 16 and over. Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. 
  • Diver experience recommendation: Open Water certification with a minimum 10 ocean dives including 5 dives in the last 12 months
  • Less experience may result in limited diving due to environmental conditions. We recommend a Scuba Diver Refresher course prior to your trip
  • Snorkelling on Spirit of Freedom takes place in waters that are exposed, not calm or sheltered. Our itinerary is to suit scuba diving and you may not be able to snorkel at every site. There are opportunities to snorkel at the reef tops of the Ribbon Reefs are relatively close to the surface. Most of our guests are scuba divers; however, experienced snorkellers with a good level of fitness are welcome to join this tour. 
  • Due to light aircraft restrictions, the total weight of your luggage is limited to 20kg/45lb per person, including your dive gear and carry-on luggage.
  • Special Expedition: These tours are strictly seasonal, to coincide with the whales’ migration. Swimming with Minke Whales is a strictly controlled activity. Guests must follow crew instructions at all times.

All information provided at any time by Cairns Tours and our affiliates is subject to these Terms & Conditions. This includes but is not limited to tour information, pricing, blog posts, travel advice, itinerary information and availability.

Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Cairns Tours/Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. 


Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply. 

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.


Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 


Transfers:

The Service Operator reserves the right to limit courtesy transfers to select local accommodations. Private residences or Airbnb properties may be asked to meet at the closest confirmed location. Failure to meet at the specified pick-up location may be treated as “No Show”, for which the Client Cancellation Policy applies.


Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.


Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee.


What To Bring

  • Dive Certification Card
  • Hat and Sunscreen
  • Personal items and toiletries (personal soap for each guest is provided)
  • Swimwear
  • Warm clothing if you’re travelling in the winter months (May – September)
  • Quick-dry towel or chamois for the dive deck
  • Money for bar and other on board purchases
  • Soft luggage (max 20kg)
  • The following scuba gear should either be brought by yourself or you can hire the complete equipment set as a package for the duration of your trip:
    • BCD regulator with an integrated dive computer
    • Wrist-mounted dive computer
    • Wetsuits (Depending on the season, onboard the rental suits are 5mm full-length suits.)
    • Mask and Snorkel
    • Open-heeled fins with wetsuit booties
    • Torches and Cyalume sticks are provided for the night dive, however, you can hire a torch for the remaining dives.

What's Included

  • Accommodation transfer from Cairns City accommodation
  • Scenic flight – Lizard Island to Cairns
  • Opportunity for up to 11 dives
  • Quality, chef-prepared meals, Australian wine with evening meals
  • All linen and cabin towels 
  • Some dive gear including mask, snorkel, boots, fins, tanks, weights, and weight belts
  • Safety equipment included (surface marker buoys, whistles, and Nautilus LifeLine) Marine GPS
  • Cyalume sticks and torches will also be provided for night diving
  • Dives on the Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • Dives at the world famous Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs

What's Extra

Extra costs: 

  • Gear hire, Nitrox fills, any courses taken on board, drinks outside of the evening meal time, seasickness tablets, and any souvenirs purchased.

Optional Extras:

  • Full Equipment Rental (if required)
  • Nitrox Fills Package
  • PADI Advanced Course
  • Nitrox Course
  • Minke Whale Specialty Course

 Please read the medical questionnaire for more diving information.

Cancellations

No shows or client cancellations made within 30 days of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price. 

A refund in the event of cancellation is subject to both our Cancellation Policy and the terms of the supplier.

Terms and Conditions

Our Terms & Conditions apply to this experience. Please review them before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an age limit for this trip?

The minimum age on board Spirit of Freedom is 16 years. guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. There is no max age limit, however, guests of the age of 65 must provide a current dive medical for safety and duty of care. 

What is not included in the price of this trip?

This trip is all inclusive except for gear hire, Nitrox fills, any courses taken on board, drinks outside evening meal time, sea sickness tablets and any souvenirs. 

What are the luggage weight restrictions for the flight to and from Lizard Island?

Total baggage allowance is limited to 20kg (45lb) per person, including carry-on luggage. If possible, please bring a soft bag, allowing for easier storage on the plane. 

Are transfers included?

Return transfers are included from all Cairns City hotels and airport transfers.

Are special dietary requirements catered for?

If you have a special dietary request, please advise us at the time of booking so that the chefs on board can prepare ahead of departure. 

Lou
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