Swim with Minke Whales

• Swimming with minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef, on the famous Ribbon Reefs
• 3,4 or 7 nights onboard the award-winning vessel Spoilsport
• Low-scenic flight on the 3 and 4 night tours

Sample itinerary for Swim with Minke Whales, subject to change based on conditions.

Thursday:

First, check-in at our office (3 Abbott St, Cairns) between 8.30 am and 4 pm.

Then, from 4:30 pm:  Make your own way to Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf (200m from MBDE office) to meet your fellow passengers.  Please note that dinner is not provided on the first evening, so you may wish to eat before boarding.

After dinner, at 5:50 pm: Our crew will lead you from Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf to board Spoilsport.  Enjoy a glass of champagne and light snacks while your Trip Director provides a full briefing.

Boarding and departure at 6:30 pm:  Spoilsport departs Cairns

Furthermore, this is the time to organise any rental equipment and put your dive gear together on the dive deck.

Friday:

(4 dives + night dive) This is a sample of a ‘typical day’, however exact times may vary to optimise the prevailing weather conditions on the day.

6:30 am: Wake up call, light breakfast available in dining room

7:00 am: Dive brief & diving commences (opportunities to swim with minke whales will be vary)

9:00 am: Full cooked breakfast

10:30 am: Dive briefing & dive. “Open decks” accommodate 1-2 dives either am or pm

2:00 pm: Lunch

3:30 pm: Dive brief & diving

4:30 pm: Afternoon tea

6:30 pm: Night dive brief & dive

8:00 pm: Dinner

Saturday:

(4 dives + night dive)

As per above

Sunday:

(4 dives)

As per above. Exit last dive by 5 pm.

Furthermore, as the sun sets we pour the champagne, lay out the nibbles and get ready for an Aussie BBQ party night. Don’t forget to wear your loudest tropical shirt or dress and sing along to music played by our talented crew.

At the end of the day, overnight cruise to Lizard Island.

Monday:

7:00 am: To conclude your adventure, enjoy a light breakfast

8:00 am: Disembark Spoilsport. Our crew will walk you to the airport on Lizard Island.

9:30 am: Later, board a light aircraft for a low-level flight over the reef back to Cairns (flight time approx. 1 hour).

11:45 am: Finally, land in Cairns and courtesy transfer to inner Cairns city hotels, the airport or our office, where we can store your luggage until 5 pm if you have a later flight

So what’s included?

• Accommodation in twin/double cabins
• Delicious meals & snacks, wine and soft drink are included with the evening meal
• Tanks, air fills, and weight belt
• Daily cabin service
• Reef ecology program
• Dive computer workshop
• Transfer to the airport or Cairns hotel after your expedition
• Scenic flight Lizard Island to Cairns or Cairns to Lizard Island (on the 3 an 4 night tours only)

* Dive Equipment Not Included – Available for rental on board

**The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority requires all visitors to pay an Environmental Management Charge of $8.00 per day (max 3 days) spent on the Great Barrier Reef. This amount will be added to your onboard bar bill.

Optional extras can be pre-booked or arranged onboard

• Personal dive guides
• PADI Courses (Nitrox, Advanced, etc)
• Hire Gear ($44/day)
• Naturalist & Photo/Video Gear hire Camera hire
• Sole occupancy
• Bar and Ship Shop purchases
• Nitrox fills ($25/day)

What do I bring on a liveaboard?

• Cash or Credit Card for purchases
• Personal clothes & toiletries, sun cream, swimming clothes, hat
• Own dive equipment unless you have pre-booked rental equipment
• Voucher if applicable
• Proof of certification if you’re a Certified Diver
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority requires all visitors to pay an Environmental Management Charge of $7.00 per day (max 3 days) spent on the Great Barrier Reef. This amount will be added to your onboard bar bill.

• We recommend that you allow 24 hours between your last dive and your onward flight (all diving is finished by 5 pm Wednesday).
• A luggage allowance applies to the flight (3 and 4 night tours only):
  • 25kg / 55lb per person plus 3kg / 6.5lb – carry on.
  • An additional 10kg/22lb is allowed for professional photo/video housed systems.
• The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority requires all visitors to pay an Environmental Management Charge of $8.00 per day (max 3 days) spent on the Great Barrier Reef. This amount will be added to your onboard bar bill.