Spirit of Freedom
Spirit of Freedom
5
Multi-day ToursScuba & SnorkellingShark DivingBoat Tours
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Spirit of Freedom is a luxury dive liveaboard that offers year-round 3 nights, 4 nights or 7 nights trips to remote parts of the Great Barrier Reef - Ribbon Reefs & Coral Sea.
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023

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Travelers talk about
(51 reviews)

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles378 reviews
Excellent
352
Very good
11
Average
5
Poor
6
Terrible
4

J D
Auckland Central, New Zealand3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
This is the best liveaboard in Cairns, and 90% of that is due to their amazing, friendly and knowledgeable crew. The boat was well equipped, the meals were incredible and frequent, the dive sites on offer were so vibrant and colorful. It was hard to say goodbye to the boat, crew, and fellow passengers by the end of the trip. Will definitely be back at some point.
Written March 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jeannie, Thank you for your amazing review. We thrive to give every customer the same feeling you and your travel partner experienced. We hope to see you onboard again someday soon.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Henrikbsoe
Denmark40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
An excellent experience from welcome to end. 100% focus on safety and customer experience, from diving, accommodation to food and beverage and last but not least the service before under and after each dive. A service level that I have never tried before, a lot of dives with no stress. Very professional introduction before every dive. I will definitely come again.
Written March 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Henrikbsoe, this feedback is amazing. Thank you for the kindest of words and we appreciate you for seeing how hard the team works to try make every trip amazing. Many thanks - See you again soon!
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emmawang0426
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
This is hands down the best liveaboard experience I have had so far. Me and my diving buddy signed up a 4 four days Coral sea diving trip over the new year and I was impressed all the way through. The crew is so experienced, knowledgeable and always with safe first mentality and caring. I feel safe diving though without diving guide, as the diving briefings are very well prepared and delivered, and plus you always have an instructor in sight to safeguard. Chef went out of his way to prepare the spread of food each day and very pampering. Plus the diving sites, as in the outer reef, so well preserved and definitely a must-go. Cannot wait to join the crew for another diving again!
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Emma :) Thanks so much for taking the time to write such wonderful feedback! We are so pleased to read you had such a great trip. We hope to have you back onboard again in the future.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ron M
Menasha, WI430 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
This was our first liveaboard and wow...were we impressed. We opted for the ocean view deluxe cabin (on the bridge deck) and enjoyed having some extra space. It must have been a magic room because every morning the bed was made while we were at breakfast or elsewhere on the ship! Nah...this is just the kind of thing the staff did to make experience "over the top". Everything from pickup at our hotel to drop off was well done. The ship orientation was thorough without being overly long. The dive briefings were clear and concise. And the food? Oh my Chef Extraordinaire Andre was outstanding. We were on the 7 night option and no meal was repeated. Everyone from the Captain (Tony) on down quickly learned our names and called all the guests by their names...made us all feel like we've known each other for a long time.

The Trip Director Leo seemed to be everywhere...on the ship, under water, etc. There were several passengers (like me) who had arrived without a dive buddy. Before the first dive Leo arrange dive buddies for those in need as well as pairing up relatively new/inexperienced divers with staff. Early in the trip it was evident that one buddy pair was incompatible so an adjustment was made. Leo followed up to ensure that the new pair (actually a trio) worked well...and we did.

Tony, Captain or Master of the vessel, was a very fun, engaging and professional guy. On the last day I asked him for a brief tour of the bridge; he responded, "Have a seat in the pew and we'll have a chat," then gave me a stool to sit on. He gave me a very interesting overview of the navigation and other tools available to him and we had a nice discussion of the various skills required, specifics of the boat, how his job and my former one were similar, etc. He (as well as many of the other staff) also posed for pictures with our traveling companion, Spot.

In summary....we had a blast. The food was great, our accommodation was great, the staff was great and the diving was great. If you've never done a liveaboard and have always wanted to see and dive on the Great Barrier Reef, you need to get on the Spirit of Freedom. Even though we are seasoned travelers we have never labeled one "the trip of a lifetime"....this one certainly fills the bill.
Written February 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Ron :) Thanks so much for taking the time to write such wonderful feedback! We are so pleased to read you had such a great trip. We hope to have you back onboard again in the future.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Louise R
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Solo
Fantastic, the whole trip operated like a wel-oiled machine. I'm not sure with was better- the diving or the food! Even though I stayed in the cheapest room- the dorm- I had such a great experience. The meals were unreal- two breakfasts with fresh fruit salad, a variety of croissants and a full English spread daily. The evenings were themed- Chinese one night, Italian another. One night we had salmon which was perfectly cooked.

The diving was incredible too- beautiful macro life at Pixie Pinnacle, and helpful guides with torches pointing it all out. Cod Hold didn't have as many cod as I had expected but the coral was unreal- bright towers of colour like out of the Little Mermaid. We went during dwarf minke whale migration season and I was one of the lucky divers to see one, albeit briefly.

Some little things that could be improved- the merchandise looked great but it was so expensive- >$100 for a hoodie! And check the price of the drinks before you buy them- I don't think I would have drunk so much coke if I had known they were $7 per can!
Written February 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Louise :) Thanks so much for your kind words! We are so pleased to read you had such a great trip. Hope to see you onboard again sometime in the future, and thank you for the constructive feedback too!
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jere M
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
My Wife and I joined them on their first full 7-day trip of 2024 and had an awesome experience. We had heard mixed reviews of diving the 'Great Barrier Reef' but I can verify that the areas we hit and the Coral Sea are in great shape with healthy coral and tons of marine life. The weather was incredible, with rain only one day, and this allowed us to dive the 'Tri-Fecta' of Osprey, Boganville and Holmes reefs. (Thanks to our Captain Owen for the countless hours sailing overnight to reach these.) This was our 6th live aboard trip and were impressed how this held its own compared to the Pelagian in Wakatobi. The boat was in top notch condition with staff cleaning it thoroughly daily. Everything worked and there was plentiful hot water. This was our first trip where the dives were unguided. We are experienced divers, but this was uncharted territory for us. (They had guides in the water you could follow but were not required to.) What set out mind at ease was not only the guides in the water, but the dedicated lookout each dive on the top deck to track divers, and a manned tender in the water at all times to 'come to the rescue' should you need assistance, end up taking a wrong turn or following the current and getting off track. (Embarrassingly, this happened to us, and Hugo was there in no time to pick us up and did not make us feel like idiots for getting off track. He just said we just turned it into our own personal drift dive!) With two breakfasts, lunch and dinner, you will not go hungry on this boat. Andreas was the chef, and his food was simply amazing. From fresh, hand rolled sushi, to steaks, lamb, wonderful salads and even vegan options, there was something that you could find each meal. (We also had guests on our trip with other diet restrictions and they made special meals for them.) All of the crew were professional and divers. Other than the captain, we saw each and every one of them suit up and join us underwater at some point during the week. It is really something to spend a week with crew that share the same passion for diving and can swap stories of adventure. If you can make this trip happen, you should, even if you need to book well out in advance. Thanks to crew: Owen, Ben, Hugo, James, Ryan- you goofball, Taku - the awesome photographer, Cat - the master reef guide, Andreas - amazing food, Els &, Sarah for letting me tag alone when my wife chose to take afternoon dives off. Appreciate you all and wish you nothing but the best in 2024.
Written January 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your feedback Jerem250. We are stoked you got to experience one of our epic adventures. Hope to see you again one day soon!
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Renee G.
San Anselmo, CA3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
This was my first live-aboard trip and the whole experience was spectacular. I've only done 24 dives prior, and was nervous. I went with my partner to celebrate a milestone birthday and so glad I went The weather cooperated and we got to go the top sites on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea: Osprey, Ribbon Reef, Bouganville, and Holmes Reef. I did 12 amazing dives out of 15 offered on our 4 night journey. The Spirit of Freedom outfit took every diver's need into account.
Our crew was simply amazing and happy to be there! They are professional, knowledgeable, super friendly, hard working, and genuinely excited to help their guests enjoy the world's greatest dive sites. I can't imagine a better experience or crew.
The boat was comfortable, clean and a great layout. The dive deck never felt overcrowded or chaotic. Preparing for the dives was very organized and efficient. The food was plentiful and delicious with plenty of options. If you are lucky enough to sail with Andreas in the galley, you will be quite pleased. He also got to dive with us.
The cabins were well-appointed with super comfy beds! We slept like babies the entire week. We did the private bunk room. They were below deck, hence no window.

I was probably the diver with the least experience and was really appreciative of the The Fin Ferry Service, where the crew puts on and off your fins and checks everything before jumping. It made me feel pampered and comfortable. The dive briefs were thorough and accurate. I was afraid to go on the night dive and feeding of sharks, but after hearing the briefings, I couldn't pass on either. I am so glad I went! Both were extraordinary experiences that I can't compare to anything I've done before. The sharks really didn't care we were there and I wasn't scared. The night dive was awesome. The sharks followed where your flashlight shines onto (except fellow divers - they really were indifferent.) We saw dozens of sharks feeding - calling it a Sharknado.
We will be recommending divers to The Spirit of Freedom to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I really can't say enough. Thank you!
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thankyou Renee, for your kind words. We love reading guests feedback - especially when its great like this! :) Hopefully we get to have you back on board sometime again soon.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Andrew M
San Francisco1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
This was our first liveaboard experience and the realization of a lifelong dream to dive the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef. The designers of the Spririt of Freedom experience have taken every diver's need into account.
Our crew was simply amazing! They are professional, impressively knowledgeable, super friendly, exceedingly hard working, and genuinely excited to help their guests enjoy the gifts of some of the world's greatest dive sites. I just can't imagine a better experience than these great folks gave to us.
The vessel herself affords great comfort and a well thought out layout. The dive deck never felt overcrowded or chaotic. The food was plentiful and simply amazing, with options for vegetarians provided at every meal. If you are lucky enough to sail with Andreas in the galley, you will be quite pleased indeed.
The cabins were appointed with private showers and super comfy beds! We slept like babies the entire week.
Going the extra mile is this operation's creed. The Fin Ferry Service, where the crew puts on your fins for your before jumping in the water, made us feel pampered (also included mask defogging!). The dive briefs were thorough and accurate, and our onboard marine biologist's wellspring of knowledge added greatly to our overall experience.
My partner and I will be referring divers to The Spirit of Freedom for the rest of our days.
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G'day :) Thanks so much for your kind words! We are so pleased to read you had such a great trip. We hope to have you back onboard again in the future.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Maps791459
Hakuba-mura, Japan1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
This trip was better than I could have ever imagined. The boat was absolutely beautiful and we were treated first class the entire trip, with crew always doing everything they could to make sure you were having a good time. The dive sites were fantastic and we rarely saw other boats and got to have them to ourselves . We saw so much beautiful coral and reef fish, MANTA RAYS, the biggest school of sail fin snapper I’ve ever seen, a giant moray eel, lots of white tip and grey reef sharks as well as another special shark encounter and so much more! All of the crew were very knowledgeable, full of energy, humorous and made you feel very safe and comfortable. Special shout out to Kat for your incredible knowledge on the reef and all of its amazing organisms - this was such a great addition to the trip! And Elise and Ryan for providing a lot of laughs. Lastly, the food from the legendary chef Andreas was consistently amazing and just what you would want after lots of dives. He also makes a great buddy on a night dive! Thanks to everyone you were all fantastic and made me never want to get off the boat.
Written January 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G'day Maps :) Thanks so much for your kind words! We are so pleased to read you had such a great trip. We hope to have you back onboard again in the future.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jillrobinson11
Edinburgh, UK37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Just about the best dive experience we've ever had. We just returned from a 4 night Coral Sea/ Great Barrier Reef cruise with our family of 4 (2 teens). There were 22 divers and 11 crew. We had 2 rooms for the family. Everything was A+. The food was very plentiful and excellent - creative and varied. The dive service was excellent. The crew was awesome. Couldn't recommend this more.
Written January 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! That amazing feedack Jill,. Thank you so much for your kind words. We hope to host you again in the future.
Written March 11, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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SPIRIT OF FREEDOM (Cairns) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go