Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions: MV Spoilsport – Unrivalled Liveaboard Adventures to Australia's Great Barrier Reef & Coral Sea

Embark on a 5-star liveaboard experience with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions aboard the purpose-built twin-hull MV Spoilsport. Renowned as Australia's most awarded liveaboard, Spoilsport offers unparalleled access to the pristine Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and the dramatic walls of the Coral Sea's Osprey Reef. With a legacy in the dive industry dating back to 1969, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is celebrated for its exceptional diving, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to marine conservation, including leadership in the Dwarf Minke Whale Tourism Industry Code of Practice.

Accommodation: Comfort at Sea

The 30-meter MV Spoilsport accommodates up to 28 guests in 14 air-conditioned cabins, all serviced daily. Catering to various preferences and budgets, the cabin types include:

• Premium Cabins: Featuring queen or double beds, private en-suite bathrooms, and ocean views.
• Standard Cabins: Equipped with twin single beds, private en-suite bathrooms, and ocean views.
• Club Cabins: Offering twin bunk beds and private en-suite bathrooms.
• Budget Cabins: With twin bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities.

Beyond the cabins, guests can relax in the spacious lounge and bar area, or soak up the sun and ocean views from the large sundeck, which offers optional shade.

Diving Services & Itineraries

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is celebrated for its flexible and diver-centric approach, including an "open dive deck" policy that allows for unlimited diving within safe limits and on your preferred schedule. The vessel is equipped with a huge, well-organized dive deck, multiple camera stations with dedicated rinse tanks, and two large rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for personalized dive service, including drift and night dives.

Diving features and services include:

• Nitrox (EAN32) available for certified divers (maximum 1.6 bar PO2 at 40 meters depth).
• Solo diving option for qualified divers.
• Rebreather service and support.
• PADI instructors on board, offering Advanced Open Water and other specialty courses.
• Rental dive gear and camera equipment available.
• Daily marine biology presentations and onboard photo competitions.
• Nautilus Lifeline Marine GPS provided to divers for safety.

Departing weekly from Cairns, MV Spoilsport offers a range of itineraries to showcase the best of the region:

• 3-Night Fly Dive Cod Hole: Focuses on the prime Ribbon Reef sites, including the world-famous Cod Hole, suitable for novice to advanced divers and snorkelers. This trip often includes a scenic low-level flight over the Great Barrier Reef to Lizard Island.
• 4-Night Fly Dive Coral Sea: An adventurous expedition to the remote Coral Sea, featuring Osprey Reef's dramatic walls, exceptional visibility (often 40 meters), and thrilling shark action. This itinerary requires Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience.
• 7-Night Coral Sea Safari: Combines the highlights of both the Cod Hole and Coral Sea itineraries, offering a comprehensive exploration of both regions with diverse dive sites.
• Seasonal Dwarf Minke Whale Expeditions: Each June and July, special expeditions are dedicated to finding and snorkeling with dwarf minke whales along the Ribbon Reefs, a unique in-water encounter.
• Special & Exploratory Expeditions: Occasionally, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions offers unique trips to locations like the SS Yongala Wreck, Ashmore Reef, or other remote Coral Sea atolls.

Water temperatures in the region typically range from 26°C to 29°C, with visibility often exceeding 20 meters, and frequently reaching 30-50 meters in the Coral Sea.

Location & Atmosphere

MV Spoilsport departs from Trinity Wharf in Cairns, with some itineraries incorporating scenic flights to/from Lizard Island to maximize dive time and offer breathtaking aerial views of the Great Barrier Reef. The twin-hull design of the vessel is specifically engineered to enhance stability and minimize seasickness, ensuring a comfortable journey even in offshore conditions.

Onboard, guests enjoy award-winning, chef-prepared meals with fresh ingredients, catering to all dietary requirements. Complimentary soft drinks and Australian wines are served with dinner. The atmosphere is described as professional yet fun, with an enthusiastic crew dedicated to providing exceptional service and a memorable diving adventure.