Liveaboard Dive Tours to the Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea

Dive with giant Potato Cod at the Cod Hole

The Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea are world famous dive destinations. Located approximately 240km north of Cairns, liveaboard dive tours to these sites are longer than trips to the Outer Great Barrier Reef and more expensive.

The Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole are a part of the Great Barrier Reef system. To dive these sites you will need an Open Water Dive License. The Coral Sea’s dive sites are more remote and ‘exposed’ and it is highly recommended that you have an Advanced Dive License with recent diving experience, to visit these sites.

The shortest liveaboard dive tour from Cairns to the Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole is 3 days and 2 nights and includes up to 10 certified dives, a night dive and a scenic flight back to Cairns.

Hard and soft corals of all colours: Spirit of Freedom

The Ribbon Reefs can be enjoyed by divers of any experience level. The best diving at this destination is in the first 20m, with most marine life being found in the first 10. The Ribbon Reefs’ shallow, protected waters have little current and are home to a range of dive sites featuring channels, caves and coral gardens, which are home to an amazing diversity of fish, anemones and more.

Undoubtedly the most famous Ribbon Reef dive site is the Cod Hole, which takes its name from the resident family of large, friendly Potato Cod. This is an amazing site and you will get some brilliant souvenir photos and memories.

For those with more time, budget and dive experience, the ultimate Cairns liveaboard tour takes 7 days and nights and includes transfers to and from Cairns, and up to 28 certified dives at the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Coral Sea.

The Coral Sea is home to isolated reef systems that are not a part of the Great Barrier Reef. Rising thousands of metres from the ocean floor, these isolated reefs are home to large schools of pelagic fish, including barracuda, mackerel and tuna, as well as a range of sharks from the reef variety right through to hammerheads and grey whalers.

These reef sites have excellent underwater visibility, between 30 – 100m (!) and are recommended for experienced divers with Advanced Dive Licenses.

Please note: liveaboard dive tours to the Ribbon Reefs, Cod Hole and Coral Sea do not depart daily and are subject to availability. To avoid disappointment, we suggest booking well in advance. All equipment is provided on board and accommodation ranges from Budget Quad Share with bunks to Ocean View delux cabins.

For basic comparison, we have prepared the below pricing table.

Please note: these prices for Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea do not include port taxes, which are payable direct to the operator on the day of travel.

Cairns Liveaboard Dive Tours – Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea: Price Comparison Table

Take a look at the Massive Potato Cod found while Cod Hole Diving!