Spoil Sport

Spoil Sport is a custom designed diving vessel accomodating up to 29 guests. At 30-meters (100-feet) she has a twin hull design, with maximized stability and comfort.

A word from Dom : “I’ve known & worked with the Mike Ball operation for well over 20 years … and it is popular, in part, due to the variety of options offered – from 3 day to 7-day dive cruises to some of Australia’s best-known dive sites. In addition, Spoil Sport offers some extraordinary & unique (sometimes exploratory) expeditions, which I highly recommend. “….. Dominick Macan

On Board Spoilsport

4 main deck DOUBLE cabins
2 with double bed … 2 with queen bed …. picture windows
6 main deck TWIN cabins
4 with “L”-shaped twin beds … 2 with bunk-style twin bed … picture windows
2 main deck TWIN budget cabins
2 twin beds (bunk style) & shared bathroom

All with air conditioning, en-suite facilities (except the budget rooms) & ample storage

up to 5 dives per day mostly from the main vessel
12 liter alu tanks (DIN & INT valves) … 15 liter alu tanks (at extra cost)
scuba gear rental (by advance request)
Nautilus lifeline provided on all dives
nitrox, pony bottles & re-breather support available
water temperature: 75 – 82F, 24 – 28C … 3mm – 5mm wetsuit recommended

accommodation & diving

meals, snacks, water, tea & coffee
compressed air, tanks, weights & weight belts
airport transfers (on return trip)

international & domestic airfare
soft drinks & alcoholic beverages
scuba rental gear (by advance request)
15 liter tanks & pony bottles
nitrox & re-breather support

Large & Roomy With Australian Hospitality

Spoil Sport “spoils” you with a 12 person crew, comfy cabins – many of which have ocean views – and a variety of itineraries taking you to the most popular Australian dive sites and some of the most remote & exotic. She has a super-sized sundeck with optional shade cover equipped with chairs and loungers. There is additional outdoor seating at the back of the upper deck which is largely is devoted to common living areas: a massive dining room, lounge area and bar. Below that, on the main deck of the catamaran, you’ll find all the cabins … plus a super-sized dive deck and excellent facilities for photographers.

You’ll enjoy chef-prepared meals and in-between meal snacks plus complimentary soft drinks and Australian wines served with dinner.

Itineraries normally include Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea, but at specific times in the year, there are special trips, such as the Minke whales in June & July, the Yongala wreck in November and a Shark Research trip in November/December.

Travel & Cruise Logistics

You will need to fly into Cairns (CNS) where the Spoilsport trips start; the only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest lie side by side.

At the start of your trip you will need to make your own way to the Mike Ball Dive Expeditions office in Cairns for check in for your expedition. After your expedition you will be transfered to either the Mike Ball office, the airport or any inner city hotel. Inner city boundaries are within the airport to the north and Earlville shopping centre to the south.

There are a number of Hotels located within a 5 minute walk of the Mike Ball Office at 3 Abbott Street, Cairns including; The Pacific Hotel Cairns, The Hilton, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino, Pullman Cairns International and Park Regis City Quays.

Deck Plan ... Technical Specifications

Deck & cabin layout, yacht specs, equipment & safety features for MS Virgo

Specifications

Length: 30 meters (100-foot)
Beam:10.5 meters (35 foot)
Speed – 12 knots
Range: 1930 km (1200 miles)
Survey – QLD
Commissioned – 1989

PROFESSIONAL CREWS

Master; Trip Director; Engineer; 1st Mate; Chef; Host; Photo/Video Pro; Dive Master x 3; General Hands x 2

MACHINERY

Main Engines x2
Generators x 2
Echo Sounder x 1
Compressors x 2
240V / 110V Recharge Facilities
Air-conditioning System x 2

NAVIGATION

Radar
Global Positioning System x 2
Chart Plotter x 2

COMMUNICATIONS

HF & VHF Radios

DIVING FACILITIES

Huge dive deck
3 large camera tables and dedicated camera rinse tanks
Entry/exit platforms with freshwater shower
Nitrox available & Re-breather friendly
2 Large RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats)

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

AMSA 1B Survey (for 29 passengers)

Itineraries

Spoilsport dives the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Trips depart from Cairns for 3, 4 or 7 nights.

Two expert guides will accompany you on your whale watching adventures. For five full days you follow the schools of herring and pods of orcas and humpbacks in the protected surroundings of the beautiful Norwegian fjords. If you choose not to snorkel, the zodiac excursions are great whale watching opportunities for excellent photography! Add on a husky dog sledge adventure or a snow mobile safari from Tromso before or after your cruise.

Highlights of the trips

The final itinerary is, of course, always dependant upon weather, sea conditions and where the best animal sightings are at any particular time of year

Sample itinerary information

3 Night Fly Dive Cod Hole featuring:

Flying Start – Spectacular 250km low level scenic flight over the reef from Cairns to Lizard Island. (Luggage)
Continental Shelf – Dive 100 miles north of Cairns on the edge of the shelf where nutrient rich waters attract rich marine life.
Ribbon Reefs – a prized region of the Great Barrier Reef, with excellent fish & coral biodiversity.
Cod Hole – Swim with diver size potato cod.
Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Bommie, Pixie Wall, Pixie Pinnacle,
Trolly Shoal, Coral Kingdom, Flare Point, Blue Lagoon.
Steve’s Bommie – a highlight with incredible marine biodiversity, both large and small.
Dwarf minke whales cruise the Ribbon Reefs during June and July.

4 Night Fly Dive Coral Sea featuring:

Osprey Reef – Recently proclaimed Shark Sanctuary; 2-3 shark attraction dives; spectacular topography, sheer walls, soft and hard corals; big fish action in 40 metre visibility.
Bougainville Reef – Dungeons & Dragons labyrinth of caves & caverns, giant potato cod big fish at Crystal Plateau.
Stunning 250km low level Great Barrier Reef flight from Lizard Is. to Cairns.

7 Night Coral Sea Safari featuring:

Coral Sea: The azure and fathomless water of the Coral Sea is the playground for sharks and big fish action in exceptional visibility. Huge soft coral trees and sea fans will impress.
Ribbon Reefs: The potato cod grouper at the Cod Hole are a highlight, however it is the rich biodiversity of fish species and coral that make this section of the Great Barrier Reef so incredible.
Lizard Island: Mid expedition our staff invite you on a short excursion to Lizard Island. Step back in time at the ruins of Mrs Watsons Cottage; walk through the mangrove swamp on a boardwalk and a stroll up Chinaman’s Ridge yields magnificent views of the island and reefs below.

Special Expeditions:

Far North Coral Sea Exploratory – Bougainville, Osprey; Far Northern & the Ribbon Reefs

7 Nights – 26 Dives. This 650 mile expedition explores three unique regions: remote Coral Sea; the Far Northern Reefs & the superb Ribbon Reefs.

Turtle Spectacular Expeditions
400 miles north of Cairns lies Raine Island, the world’s largest green turtle rookery and placed amidst pristine reefs teaming with life. Explore this rarely visited sector of the Far Northern Great Barrier Reef.

Yongala Wreck & Coral Sea Expedition
6 Nights – 27 Dives. This expedition combines adventure diving: SS Yongala Wreck; dramatic vertical walls of Holmes and Flinders Reef. This expedition is booked as a 6 night expedition. Dive back in time and into history.

Minke Whale Dive Expeditions – A unique opportunity on the Great Barrier Reef
Dwarf minke whales travel through the Great Barrier Reef each winter, with most sightings occurring during June and July. The Great Barrier Reef is the only location where snorkel and dive tours with minke whales are available and Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is one of a handful of operators licenced to operate them. Most sightings occur at Ribbon Reef # 10, where some of the best dive sites are.

Coral Sea Exploratory
7 Nights / 26 Dives. This annual expedition combines adventure diving in the Coral Sea with the best of the Great Barrier Reefs Ribbon Reefs. The initial phase of this expedition focuses on providing an opportunity to encounter swimming with dwarf minke whales.

Shark Shooter Expedition – Coral Sea
Improve your photography techniques. Join underwater photographer Damien Siviero on his daily underwater photography workshops.

Macro Shootout Expedition
3 Nights / 12 Dives. Discover the big and the small. Coaching by award winning underwater photographer Damien Siviero on how to get that iconic underwater macro shot.

Nautilus Interaction Expeditions – Coral Sea Research

FIND AVAILABLE SPACES & BOOK YOUR SPOT

Spoilsport is not currently participating on live availability