Spirit of Freedom - GBR and Coral Sea

[Lord Melch]

Just returned from 2 weeks in OZ.

Did - with SOF the 4 days trip out to the Coral Sea and Osprey Reef.

All I can say is AWESOME. The boat, crew and service was fabulous. Great team, they couldn't do more to help.

100% recommended.

See below diver eaten by COD horror pic !!

 

[cawhite]

Thanks... what a great photo! We're scheduled to go on the SOF in August. Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[Lord Melch]

I did indeed. A great crew, great boat and fantastic diving.

The water was sooo warm, I dived in Bordies the whole trip no wet suit

Thanks... what a great photo! We're scheduled to go on the SOF in August. Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[roadrunner1957]

Hi there, my husband and I are booked on SOF for Nov of this year. Any recommendations on things to do/not to do in Cairns? Also any packing advice or general tips re: how to make the experience more enjoyable?

Thanks! This will be our first liveaboard experiernce
Judy

 

[Lord Melch]

Hi Roadrunner,

Nov - good move, should be high Summer in OZ - great weather
Cairns, don't paddle in the sea - note the CROC warnings on the beach
There is though a really cool place to hang out down by the marina, a outdoor swim pool, showers, juice bar etc (see attached pic)

Cairns is very chilled. Loads of good places to stay and eat, watch the world go by - quite tropical, quite humid, a bit like Oahu if you have been there. Lots and backpackers and divers.

You will love the SOF they are a really cool crowd/the boat is amazing - the staff really couldn't do more to help. The diving is awesome. I presume they are picking you up at your hotel and then it's a private small plane to Lizard Island ?? - very nice indeed..

I have a great video I created and some wicked pics. Drop me a PM and I can forward it on..

Cheers
LM

Hi there, my husband and I are booked on SOF for Nov of this year. Any recommendations on things to do/not to do in Cairns? Also any packing advice or general tips re: how to make the experience more enjoyable?

Thanks! This will be our first liveaboard experiernce
Judy

 

[stiebs]

I'll throw in my recommendation too. I did the 4-day trip in Sep '07. Crew was great, food was sensational, and the diving awesome!

Water temp was around 23-24C, which was not really warm enough for me to be diving 3 dives a day in a shorty.

As far as Cairns itself goes, the town doesn't really do a lot for me. Waaaaay to touristy for my liking, and I found it difficult to find a decent feed. On the shore front restaurants, prices are very inflated for the tourist market, so I found I needed to search around to find the same sort of value for money and customer service I see down here in Melbourne.

The rainforest cableway is a good way to spend a few hours, and I enjoyed hiring a car and driving up the coast towards Port Douglas more than staying around in Cairns.