Join  us aboard the Spirit of Freedom for a RARE opportunity to explore isolated reef systems of Australia's Coral Sea.  Cover over 1 million square kilometers and three times the size of the Great Barrier Reef, the region is scattered with spectacular coral reefs, in an undersea world of ancient mountains, rising thousands of meters from the ocean floor.   

We will travel 400 km east of Cairns to explore the rarely visited Lihou Reefs, where you will find  sheer walls, gin clear water and schools of pelagics typical of the Coral Sea reefs.  Diving in this large area has visitors so rare - YOU will have a unique opportunity to name a dive site.  The location and the site will be entered into GPS where that name will forever remain.  Depending on the weather we will spend a second day of diving at Flinders Reef or head north to Herald Cays, another Coral Sea Reef, known for its amazing corals and swim-throughs. The last day will be spent diving Holmes Reef before heading back to Cairns.  We will experience an amazing diversity of underwater landscapes including deep oceanic walls laced with massive gorgonians and soft corals; pristine coral gardens; and isolated pinnacles, caves and canyons.  Opportunity to do up to 27 dives over 6 days! 

Marine life encounters typically include a variety of species of sharks, rays, turtles and schools of pelagic fish, as well as incredible amount of diverse macro life.  The many small islands in this region are also nesting grounds for the green sea turtle with thousands of turtles returning to their natal beaches.

Option 1:  11 Days / 9 Nights Itinerary;  02/04/2022 - 02/15/2022

Highlights and Inclusions:

• Accommodation - Cairns (1 Night), Live-Aboard Dive Vessel (7), Cairns (1)
• International Flights - Roundtrip flights from Dallas to Sydney to Cairns
• Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Marina, Cairns Marina to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Airport
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)

Option 2:  14 Days / 12 Nights Itinerary;  02/04/2022 - 02/18/2022

Highlights and Inclusions:  

• Accommodation - Cairns (1 Night), Live-Aboard Dive Vessel (7), Cairns (2), Sydney (2)
• International Flights - Roundtrip flights from Dallas to Sydney
• Australian Domestic Flight - Roundtrip flights from Sydney to Cairns
• Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Marina, Cairns Marina to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Airport, Sydney Airport to Accommodation (Return)
• Day Tour - Sydney: Opera House Tour
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)

Option 3:  16 Days / 14 Nights Itinerary;  02/04/2022 - 02/20/2022

Highlights and Inclusions:

• Accommodation - Cairns (1 Night), Live-Aboard Dive Vessel (7), Cairns (2), Ayers Rock (2), Sydney (2)
• International Flights - Roundtrip flights from Dallas to Sydney to Cairns
• Australian Domestic Flights - Cairns to Ayers Rock, Ayers Rock to Sydney
• Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Marina, Cairns Marina to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Airport, Ayers Rock Airport to Accommodation (Return), Sydney Airport to Accommodation (Return)
• Day Tours - Ayers Rock: Uluru National Park Entry Pass, Sunset & Sunrise Pass at Uluru and Kata Tjuta; Sydney: Opera House Tour
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)

Option 4 (Non-Diver):  16 Days / 14 Nights Itinerary;  02/04/2022 - 02/20/2022

Highlights and Inclusions:

• This is a custom private itinerary, not available to the general public.
• Accommodation - Cairns (1 Night), Rose Gums (2), Port Douglas (4), Cairns (3), Ayers Rock (2), Sydney (2)
• International Flights - Roundtrip flights from Dallas to Sydney to Cairns
• Australian Domestic Flights - Cairns to Ayers Rock, Ayers Rock to Sydney
• Shuttle Transfers - Cairns Airport to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Marina, Cairns Marina to Accommodation, Cairns Accommodation to Airport, Ayers Rock Airport to Accommodation (Return), Sydney Airport to Accommodation (Return)
• Rental Car: 8 Day Rental, Pick-up/drop-off Cairns City
• Day Tours - Ayers Rock: Uluru National Park Entry Pass, Sunset & Sunrise Pass at Uluru and Kata Tjuta; Sydney: Opera House Tour
• All Taxes and Fuel Levies (Except where noted)

* There are a total of 13 payments spread over a 16 month period - the deposit plus 12 scheduled payments.

* The $150 deposit AND the 1st scheduled payment (Due March 1, 2020) is NON-REFUNDABLE.

* Payments 2-5 (Due May 1, 2020 - November 1, 2020) are refundable until November 15, 2020 (Minus applicable cancellation fees).

* All payments received after November 15, 2020 (Payments 6-12, Due Jan 1, 2021 - July 1, 2021) are NON-REFUNDABLE.

* Trip cancellations must be received in writing by traveler, or authorized representative, by submitting an email to info@sascubashack.com.

* Any cancellation received after February 15, 2021 will forfeit all funds collected.  Credit toward a future trip is not available.

We highly recommend that each guest purchase comprehensive accident, trip cancellation/interruption insurance when space is reserved.  Please be advised that if a guest chooses NOT to purchase trip insurance, we will NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT CAUSED BY REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL.  Furthermore, the uninsured guest will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred.

Cancellation Fees:  Cancellation charges are calculated on the date when the written cancellation is received, and as a percentage of the total price excluding trip deposit paid plus 1st payment received, visa application fees, vendor credit card processing fees and ticketed airline flights, all of which are non-refundable if you cancel. All cancelled components within itineraries will incur a 20% administrative fee to be deducted from the refund amount.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended.  Please see details under Insurance below.

NOTE:  Due to limited cabin options - some cabin types may become unavailable if previously sold within another itinerary option.

***IMPORTANT***Please read through cabin descriptions below BEFORE booking your reservation.

QUAD SHARE CABIN:

The quad share cabins contain four single beds, bunk style. These cabins are located mid ship on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. They are each 7.2 square metres in area, (not including bathroom, an additional 1.8 sq mtrs), are fully air-conditioned and also contain a wardrobe and private bathroom.

There are 2 Quad cabins available which accommodate up to 4 guests.  This option is best for the single traveler who wants to join us in this exciting adventure, but does not mind sharing a bunk room with others to save money.  Please be aware this is likely to be a co-ed cabin.  A gender specific cabin cannot be guaranteed - however, we will try our best to accommodate it.

DOUBLE/TWIN SHARE CABIN:

The double/twin share cabins contain a double bed with a single bed over the top, bunk style.  These cabins are located on the lower deck, with easy access to the main deck. They are an average 7.2 square metres in area, (not including bathroom, an additional 1.8 sq mtrs), are fully air-conditioned and also contain a wardrobe, bed side table and private bathroom.

There are 5 double/twin cabins available which accommodate up to 2 guests.  This option is best for family/friends who wish to share a room.  However, this room is also available to the  single traveler who wants to join us in this exciting adventure, but is likely to share the cabin with another guest.  In such an event, we will do our best to pair you with another guest of the same gender.  However, if we are unable to accommodate, the space will become available to the general public (world wide) possibly resulting in a co-ed cabin (although very unlikely).

THE STATEROOM CABIN:  **** Unavailable.  Already sold under Option 2 Itinerary****

There is only 1 Stateroom cabin which is located in a private area on the lower deck, close to the dive deck and dining saloon. It is a spacious 9.2 square metres in area (not including bathroom, an additional 2.8 sq mtrs) and contains a queen size bed, extra shelving, wardrobe, bed side tables and 26″ flat screen TV. It is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom. 

This is a double occupancy cabin and is not typically available to single travelers.  If you are a single guest, please contact SA SCUBA SHACK prior to booking this option.

OCEAN VIEW STANDARD CABIN:

There is only 1 Ocean View Standard cabin which is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. It is 5.2 square metres in area (not including bathroom, an additional 2 sq mtrs) and contains a double bed, a wardrobe, and 26” flat screen TV.

This is a double occupancy cabin and is not typically available to single travelers.  If you are a single guest, please contact SA SCUBA SHACK prior to booking this option.

OCEAN VIEW DELUXE CABIN: **** Unavailable.  Already sold under Option 2 Itinerary****

There is only 1 Ocean View Deluxe cabin which is located on the top deck with internal stairwell access to the main deck, as well as external access to the top deck and dive deck. It is a spacious 8.5 square metres in area (not including the bathroom, an additional 2 sq mtrs) and contains a double bed, bed side tables, writing desk, wardrobe, and 26″ flat screen TV. It is fully air-conditioned and has its own private bathroom.

This is a double occupancy cabin and is not typically available to single travelers.  If you are a single guest, please contact SA SCUBA SHACK prior to booking this option.

For additional cabin information, please click here.

* Diving at the Coral Sea can be considered Advanced Type Diving, and a ‘Advanced Diver’ certification with a minimum 50 ocean dives, 5 in the last 12 months, is recommended.

* If planning on diving with Enriched Air (EANX) , an Enriched Air Diver certification is REQUIRED.

* Surface Marker Buoy (SMB/Safety Sausage) is REQUIRED on ALL dives.

* Passport must be valid at time of entry.

* Tourist Visa for entry to Australia is REQUIRED.  A $15 add-on option is available for purchase.

* For ANY medical conditions, a Medical Release is REQUIRED with a signed medical authorization prior to travel.

DIVE INSURANCE:

Diver's Alert Network (DAN) insurance is recommended.  DAN membership is required before their insurance products may be purchased.  Become a DAN member here.

TRAVEL AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY QUOTE - click here.

DIVE ACCIDENT INSURANCE - click here.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

Insurance Rates:

Insurance rates are based on per traveler and total trip value (paid to SA SCUBA SHACK) as follows:

Travel Ins 1:  Total Trip Value $6,001 - $7,000

Travel Ins 2:  Total Trip Value $7,001 - $8,000

Travel Ins 3:  Total Trip Value $8,001 - $9,000

Benefit Highlights:

Trip Cancellation:  100% of Trip Cost ($15,000 limit).

Trip Interruption:    150% of Trip Cost ($22,500 limit).  Recover prepaid trip costs if a trip is canceled or interrupted.

Trip Delay:  Reimbursement for additional costs such as accommodations, transportation and meals if a trip is delayed 5 hours or more.

Equipment Delay:  Reimbursement for rental/purchase of sporting equipment if delayed for 24 hours or more.

Missed Connection:  Reimbursement for unused, non-refundable expenses and additional transportation to join the departed trip if connection is missed by 3 hours or more.

Baggage & Personal Effects:  Reimbursement for personal articles and expenses if bags are lost, stolen or damaged.

Baggage Delay:  Reimbursement for personal articles and expenses if bags are delayed for 12 hours or more.

Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses:  Emergency medical treatment if a sickness/injury occurs while traveling.  $500 dental expense sublimit. 

Emergency Medical Evacuation:  Emergency medical evacuation for the nearest suitable medical facility.  Includes repatriation and travel expenses (max $25,000) for escort.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment:  Reimbursement for permanent loss of life, limbs or sight from a covered accidental injury during travel.

Travel Assistance Services:  A wide range of services before and during trips through a 24/7 toll free number.  Includes assistance with medical emergencies, lost documents or baggage, event ticketing, business services and much more.

FOR TRIP INSURANCE DETAILED COVERAGES, including exclusion and limitations - click here. 

Bonus Coverages:  If plan is purchased AT OR BEFORE FINAL TRIP PAYMENT:

*  Pre-existing medical conditions are waived when full trip cost is insured and traveler is medically able to travel at the time of plan purchase.

*  Cancellation coverage when a tour operator, travel supplier, airline, hotel, etc. suspends operations due to insolvency.

Purchase Guarantee:  If you are not completely satisfied within 15 DAYS of purchasing this plan, SA SCUBA SHACK will refund your premium cost, if you have not departed on your trip or filed a claim.  Trip Insurance cancellation request must be submitted in writing by email: info@sascubashack.com.