This trip is recommended for Advanced certified divers. Open Water certification is the minimum requirement, however some Coral Sea reef sites are deeper and more exposed, with sections of reef starting around 18 metres below the surface. For comfort, safety and enjoyment, we recommend passengers have recent ocean diving experience before joining this expedition.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions allows solo diving for suitably qualified divers. Solo diving requires a recognised solo or self-reliant diver certification, and solo diving training may be available onboard, subject to suitability and availability.

Scuba divers travelling on their own will usually be paired with another diver onboard with a similar level of experience and confidence.

The Coral Sea dive sites include dramatic wall dives with drop-offs that can descend hundreds of metres. Depth guidelines are based on each diver’s certification, experience and current conditions. Mike Ball’s maximum recommended depth for suitably experienced recreational divers is 40 metres. Dives deeper than 40 metres are only available to suitably qualified technical divers and must be arranged with Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, as additional procedures, administration and technical support are required.

Dive safety is paramount on these remote expeditions. There is no reverse profiling. There are no fixed dive-time limits, however all divers must follow the dive briefings, dive within their certification and experience level, and return to the boat with a minimum of 50 bar remaining in their tank.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions operates an open dive deck policy, giving certified divers the freedom to dive as much or as little as they like. Standard itineraries usually visit up to three dive sites per day. Keen divers may complete up to five dives per day, usually two morning dives, two afternoon dives and a night dive, depending on the itinerary, conditions and diver ability.

Diving equipment is not included in the tour price. You are welcome to bring your own dive gear or hire equipment onboard. Full dive gear hire is currently $50 per day. Individual items are also available for hire. All divers are required to use a Nautilus Lifeline GPS, which is supplied free on loan. Optional extras include Nitrox fills, dive courses and selected guided dive services, subject to availability.

Certified divers can enjoy up to 26 dives on this 7-night Coral Sea Safari. You do not have to do every dive — you can do as many or as few as you like.

All certified divers must show proof of certification and should bring their dive licence and logbook. Divers will also be required to complete dive medical paperwork and sign the required waiver and release forms onboard.

Divers with fewer than 15 logged dives, fewer than 5 ocean dives, or fewer than 5 dives in the last 12 months may be required to complete a complimentary onboard orientation dive. If you have not dived for several years, a refresher course before travel is strongly recommended.

Some of the reef sites you may visit on this trip, subject to weather and itinerary conditions, include:

Crystal Plateau – Bougainville Reef – Coral Sea

The reef top descends to a spectacular terrace of hard corals at around 20–30 metres before edging over into an abyss hundreds of metres deep. Sea fans and soft corals decorate the reef wall, where sharks may also patrol.

Dungeons & Dragons – Bougainville Reef – Coral Sea

This reef top is cut with an incredible maze of caves, tunnels and swim-throughs, making it an exciting site to explore. Beyond the shallows, the wall descends dramatically into deep blue water, where sharks and barracuda may be seen.

Admiralty Anchor – Osprey Reef – Coral Sea

Named after an anchor lodged part-way through a tunnel, this site offers exciting swim-throughs and towering bommies full of fish life. Below the bommies, a sheer wall attracts sharks and occasionally manta rays.

North Horn – Osprey Reef – Coral Sea

One of Osprey Reef’s most famous shark diving locations. Divers may see grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks and silver-tip sharks, along with spectacular Coral Sea visibility and dramatic reef walls.

False Entrance – Osprey Reef – Coral Sea

A favourite Coral Sea dive site with colourful gorgonian fans, whips and soft corals. Resident barracuda and schooling bigeye trevally make this a great site for underwater photography, and hammerheads may occasionally be seen out in the blue.

Lizard Island

Mid-expedition, Spoilsport moors off Lizard Island while some guests disembark and new guests join. Depending on the itinerary, guests may have time to relax on the beach, swim, or climb Chinaman’s Ridge for views over the island and surrounding reefs.

Cod Hole – Ribbon Reefs – Great Barrier Reef

The Cod Hole is famous for its diver-sized potato cod. These large, inquisitive fish are a highlight of the Ribbon Reefs and provide excellent photo opportunities for divers.

Pixie Pinnacle – Ribbon Reefs – Great Barrier Reef

A spectacular pinnacle dive covered in soft corals and surrounded by fish life. Divers can spiral around the pinnacle looking for macro life, reef fish and the famous flame file clam, also known as the “disco clam”.

Coral Kingdom – Ribbon Reefs – Great Barrier Reef

A beautiful coral garden site with staghorn corals, giant clams, reef fish, bumphead parrotfish and cruising barracuda.

Steve’s Bommie – Ribbon Reefs – Great Barrier Reef

Steve’s Bommie is one of the Ribbon Reefs’ most famous photography sites, known for its incredible variety of marine life. Divers may find stonefish, scorpionfish, octopus, clownfish, turtles and large schools of reef fish.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions are just that, dive trips. However, snorkelers and non-diving partners are more than welcome to join in. Please note that the Coral Sea does not really have any suitable snorkel sites, although some snorkelling may be enjoyed on the Ribbon Reefs. Discounts apply for snorkelers: contact us for more information on prices.