Mysterious, remote, and rarely explored, Ashmore Reef sits on the very edge of Australia, bordering Papua New Guinea. This isolated frontier is steeped in history, known as the resting place of numerous 19th-century shipwrecks — many of which remain undiscovered.

Diving here is true exploration. Expect untouched reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and exhilarating drift dives, including the legendary “Flight of the Cassowary” — one of the most iconic drift dives in Far North Queensland. With minimal human impact, every dive feels like uncovering a new secret in one of the Coral Sea’s last true wilderness areas.

• True expedition diving — remote reefs few divers have explored

• Uncrowded, untouched sites far beyond typical GBR routes

• Incredible variety — walls, bommies, drift dives & coral gardens

• Iconic locations including Ashmore Reef & Boot Reef

• World-class drift diving like Flight of the Cassowary

• Unique marine life encounters — sharks, giant QLD grouper & seasonal turtles

• A true sense of discovery — every dive feels like new territory

Day 1 - Embarkation 

4.00 pm board Spoilsport at Horn Island Pier.

4.30 pm depart for Great Detached Reef.

Day 2:  (Up to 3 dives + night dive) Great Detached Reef and Raine Island.

Day 3: (Up to 4 dives + night dive) After night dive depart to Ashmore Reef

Day 4: (Up to 4 dives + night dive) Ashmore Reef , stay over night

Day 5: (Up to 4 dives + night dive) Ashmore reef , depart to GDR overnight

Day 6: (Up to 4 dives + night dive) GDR vicinity.

Day 7: (Up to 4 dives)  Cape York Tip visit

Day 8: Disembark Spoilsport

The Coral Sea is one of Australia’s last true frontier dive regions, defined by its remote location, pristine reef systems, and sense of true exploration. What makes this itinerary special is its raw diversity—you’ll encounter dramatic drop-offs, untouched coral gardens, remote seamounts, and iconic sites like Ashmore and Boot Reef, often without another dive boat in sight. Combined with thriving marine life, world-class drift diving, and access to locations few divers ever reach, this trip delivers a rare blend of adventure, exclusivity, and discovery.

The marine life in the Coral Sea is as wild and diverse as the reefs themselves. These remote ecosystems are home to thriving populations of reef sharks, giant Queensland groupers, and large pelagic species cruising the drop-offs. Expect vibrant reef fish, schools of barracuda, and an abundance of macro life hidden among pristine corals. Seasonal highlights include large gatherings of green turtles around Raine Island, while the overall lack of fishing pressure means encounters are often more frequent, natural, and truly unforgettable.

Marine life on this itinerary is nothing short of spectacular, driven by the remoteness and nutrient-rich waters of the Coral Sea.

At Ashmore Reef, expect action-packed drift dives with reef sharks, large trevally, and schooling fish sweeping along the walls, alongside vibrant reef life and hidden macro critters in untouched coral systems.

Boot Reef is all about big encounters — grey reef sharks patrol the drop-offs, giant Queensland groupers dominate the reef, and pelagic species cruise the deep, all set against dramatic walls covered in massive sea fans.

Around Raine Island, the highlight is the seasonal aggregation of green turtles, with the chance to encounter them in large numbers during nesting season, alongside healthy reefs supporting a wide variety of fish life.

The Great Detached Reef showcases incredible biodiversity, from dense schools of reef fish and barracuda to colourful macro life among pristine hard and soft corals, offering a perfect balance of big and small marine encounters.

Together, these remote reefs deliver a diverse, high-energy underwater experience — from thrilling pelagic action to intricate reef ecosystems — in one of Australia’s most untouched marine environments.

• Peak turtle season at Raine Island — large aggregations of green turtles

• Consistent shark encounters on remote reefs like Ashmore & Boot Reef

• Active pelagic life — trevally, barracuda & reef predators on the drop-offs

• Thriving reef systems with dense fish life and healthy coral

• Great mix of big & small — from giant QLD grouper to colourful macro critters

Ashmore Reef

Mysterious, remote, and rarely explored, Ashmore Reef sits on the very edge of Australia, bordering Papua New Guinea. This isolated frontier is steeped in history, known as the resting place of numerous 19th-century shipwrecks — many of which remain undiscovered.

Diving here is true exploration. Expect untouched reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and exhilarating drift dives, including the legendary “Flight of the Cassowary” — one of the most iconic drift dives in Far North Queensland. With minimal human impact, every dive feels like uncovering a new secret in one of the Coral Sea’s last true wilderness areas.

Boot Reef

Located nearly 300km east of Thursday Island, Boot Reef is one of the most remote dive locations visited by liveaboards — and it shows. This is raw, untouched diving at its finest.

Sheer walls plunge into the deep, lined with massive sea fans and vibrant corals. Expect thrilling encounters with reef sharks, enormous Queensland groupers, and an abundance of pelagic life cruising the drop-offs. With so few divers ever reaching this reef, many sites feel completely unexplored — a true bucket-list destination for adventurous divers.

Raine Island

Raine Island is one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the world, with tens of thousands of turtles arriving each year between October and December to lay their eggs.

While access to the island itself is restricted, the surrounding reefs offer exceptional diving. Unique coral formations, crystal-clear water, and the chance to encounter turtles in large numbers make this a truly special stop. It’s a rare opportunity to witness one of nature’s great marine gatherings in a pristine and protected environment.

Great Detached Reef

Stretching over 46km, the Great Detached Reef offers an incredible variety of dive sites and marine habitats. From expansive fields of hard coral at Turmoil to vibrant soft corals, fans, and whip corals at sites like Twin Peaks, Oh My Bommie, Cracker, and Big Woody — every dive is different.

This reef teems with life, from colourful reef fish and macro critters to larger pelagics cruising the edges. Its diversity and scale make it a perfect finale to the trip, showcasing the very best of the northern Great Barrier Reef.

Flights are not included, providing clients maximum flexibility to extend their trip, upgrade their ticket class, select their preferred departure point, and earn or use airline points.

Clients are responsible for booking their own flights and must ensure they arrive in time for the specified transfer, embarkation, and disembarkation schedules.

Transfers between Horn Island and the port are included on embarkation and disembarkation days.

• A family-owned Australian business for over 45 years, founded in 1979 and still run by the McKinnon family, brings passion and personal care to every guest experience.

• Guided by Scuba World’s mission to create safe, enthusiastic divers, every trip feels welcoming and memorable.

• Highly trained, experienced, and long-term staff at Australia’s only Aqualung Partner Centre and SSI Diamond Dive Centre ensure world-class safety and education.

• We have a proven history of taking guests on trips for years, often visiting the destination beforehand to ensure a seamless experience and extra bonus information—sometimes having visited many times.

• Suppliers are carefully chosen for being the best in their area when it comes to service and safety. This translates to serviced equipment and boats, clean air, and knowledgeable, friendly staff—elements that truly matter to divers.

• A strong team culture built on trust, with a stable crew, means your trip is led by passionate individuals who care about your experience.

• A warm tour leader enhances the experience through shared activities and laughter, helping guests form meaningful connections.

• Enjoy personal, attentive service from friendly staff and experienced guides, consistently praised by guests.

• All participants must hold Advanced Open Water certification. We recommend practicing SMB deployment beforehand and having completed a minimum of four dives within the past six months. 

• Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. As such, dive sites—particularly Peleliu—cannot be guaranteed, as all site selections are dependent on weather conditions and diver experience levels. 

• Prices are subject to currency fluctuations and changes in supplier rates, including any fuel tax surcharges. The final price will be determined upon payment of the balance. This pricing estimate is based on the NAB Exchange Rate of 1 AUD to 0.6835 USD as of March 2026.  

• We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance.

• All divers must hold dive evacuation insurance, such as that included with Diver Alert Network (DAN) membership.  

• The price excludes Marina Kastom Fees & Local Taxes $300USD p.p

• Full Terms and Conditions are provided as part of the booking form and must be acknowledged prior to booking.