Fly Dive Coral Sea: 4 Night Liveaboard

The Coral Sea is most reliably reached from September to January.

Not all of them. There are free orientation dives, and a guided group dive every morning and afternoon. Private guides may be available at extra cost.

Spoilsport picks its favourite sites from its other fly-dive Coral Sea itineraries. If the whole expedition is cancelled for weather, you’re refunded for the days lost, less a 15% administration fee.

No, so eat before you board. Champagne and light snacks are served at the briefing.

Yes. The flight allows 28 kg per person including hand luggage (7 kg more for professional photographers), in soft-sided bags of no more than 20 kg each. Extra luggage can be stored in Cairns.

Toiletries, swimwear, a light long-sleeved top, a sunhat and sunglasses, a quick-dry towel, a refillable water bottle, reef-safe sunscreen, and a loud shirt for the barbecue night. Bare feet are the rule on board, so thongs are all the footwear you need. If you’re not sure of your sea legs, bring motion-sickness tablets; Kwells and Travel Calm are fine when diving.

Cover up in the water: wrist-to-ankle cover is recommended, and wrist-to-knee is the minimum.

Yes. Tell us about any dietary needs when you book.

Yes, paid wi-fi at up to 3 Mbps.

Only in the smoking area on the top deck.

You make your own way to the Mike Ball office in Cairns for check-in. After the trip, you’re transferred to the office, the airport or any inner-city Cairns hotel (between the airport in the north and Earlville in the south).

Many car rental companies will hold your rental while you’re at sea, and hotels often keep a car for guests staying before or after the trip. Cairns also has paid car-storage facilities; check their opening hours.

By credit card at the end of the trip: bar drinks, gear and nitrox, and any other extras.

It’s welcome but at your discretion. There’s a tip box at the end of the trip, or add a tip when you settle your card. Tips are shared evenly among the crew.

Non-perishable snacks, yes, though there’s no guest access to a kitchen or fridge. Alcohol can’t be brought on board: anything you bring is held at the bar and charged at bar prices.

In an emergency, contact us with your name and travel date and the message is relayed to the boat. Paid wi-fi is available for essentials.

Only if you’re fully independent or travelling with an able-bodied buddy. The boat wasn’t designed for guests who can’t move around it unaided: cabins, bathrooms and the dive deck are on the main deck with steps between levels, and the Lizard Island transfers use an inflatable tender and a 400 m walk from the airstrip. Tell us before you book so we can check the details with the operator.

Box jellyfish stay in inshore waters, not the outer reefs you dive. The small Irukandji can be found offshore; stings are rare and very painful but rarely serious, and the boat has radio contact with emergency services. Cover up in the water: wrist to ankle is recommended, and no bare tops or short sleeves.

A reef-safe one, without oxybenzone, octinoxate, butylparaben or 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. Marine-friendly sunscreen is sold on board.

Most visitors can get an Australian visa online or through a travel agent. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity from your return date. Ask us if you need a letter to support a visa application.

Families with children aged 8 and over are welcome. The minimum age for diving is 12 (Junior Open Water divers aged 10 to 12 may be considered on application). Parents look after their own children, and under-12s can’t be left alone.

Briefings are in English only and translation apps aren’t accepted, so divers with limited English may have to miss some dives. Travel with an interpreter if you need one.