Liveaboard scuba diving Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns

We are proud of our world wide reputation for diving Australia, the exceptional diving provided on our liveaboard Cairns based dive service to the great barrier reef and the coral sea. It is our attention to detail that sets us apart.

Expect more detailed dive expedition and dive site information on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, more exciting images, the latest up-to-date Trip Reports... you can even take part in our innovative 'Virtual Dive' to the Ribbon Reefs and the Cod Hole. Our live-aboard dive vessels were custom built in Australia with your comfort in mind and are amongst the most well-designed in the world.

Here you can tour your vessel; cabin by cabin. Check out the chef prepared menus and let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. We have attempted to cover all FAQ's, however if you cannot find what your looking for email our friendly reservations team, we are only too happy to assist you in anyway.


Latest expedition reports! See who's been diving off Cairns, Australia... you might be there!
	This week on the Reef... our weekly reports from the reef. Written by our Trip Directors with photos from expeditions, photo competition winners and creature sightings! click here>> This Month on the Great Barrier Reef - Monthly report from Spoilsport, as published in Dive Log - including "A View from the Bridge" by skipper Trevor Jackson and "Did You Know" by Photo Pro and Marine Biologist Laurence Buckingham. click here>>


What's New... for all the latest Mike Ball news on Australia, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

	Minke Whale Season is Here! The first Dwarf Minke Whales of 2008 were spotted on a SpoilSport expedition in the last week of April. Dwarf Minke Whales, have returned to our warm tropical waters. As part of their seasonal migration, Dwarf Minke Whales spend 3 to 4 months on the Great Barrier Reef each year and passengers on a Mike Ball Dive Expedition last Sunday were delighted to be the first of the season to experience “Minke Magic”. The stunned and excited divers were treated to a display of close passes and roll overs, typical behaviour of these curious and gentle creatures. For the full article, as printed in The Cairns Post, click here>>

	Mike Ball Dive Expeditions Gains Advanced Ecotourism Certification On the 6^th November 2007 Mike Ball Dive Expeditions was awarded an Advanced Ecotourism Certification through the Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program (NEAP). The Eco Certification Program has been developed by industry for industry, addressing the need to identify genuine ecotourism and nature tourism operators in Australia. The Certification allows: industry; local communities and travelers to distinguish those operators who have made a commitment to provide product that is environmentally & socially sustainable. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.... For the full story click here>>


Don't take our word for it... take a look at what our guests have been saying about their diving adventures on the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea in Cairns, Australia. We'd love to hear your comments... email us! For more Guest Comments click here>>

Bettina Schmidberger- Australia	Travel Date: 8th May 2008
Dear Dorothy & Mike, Just a quick email to say 'THANK YOU' for a fantastic trip on board Spoilsport. Wayne and myself had a great time at Osprey Reef where we both love to dive! With Spoilsport you have certainly THE best vessel in our region - we loved your dive and sun decks! Your fantastic, VERY helpful and friendly crew surely make every trip a memorable experience for every diver. Please give our special thanks to your entire crew! Simon's meals were outstanding and we most certainly have to diet now for a few days! I hope I can send many more of our clients your way as they can be assured of a great experience! Have a great day! Thanks & best regards, Bettina

	Travel Date: 13th April 2008
Dorothy, I just thought that I would put a few words down about my fabulous trip April 3-10th. I was very impressed with you and the way you handled everything before and upon arriving back at the office---Many thanks. I heard that the crew is planning a wreck trip up north of the reef next year ( have they told Mike yet?) If this is going to happen I would like to have my name added to the list. The crew was wonderful and accommodation was also great. Food was excellent and Simon did wonders. Diving was out of this world even though we did not get to Osprey Reef but no big deal as there were tons of places to dive in the Ribbon. Your office runs a first class operation and I will recommend it to anyone going to Cairns. Happy diving, Bob Hodgson Canada bobhodgson@dccnet.com

International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame

In 2004, at Grand Cayman Island, Mike Ball joined diving great like Jacques Yves Cousteau and Hans Hass as an inductee into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Mike was the first Australian dive operator and the world's first liveaboard operator to receive this recognition. He was honoured for his contribution to the growth and development of scuba diving and his pioneering efforts in the liveaboard industry. His uniquely designed twin hull liveaboard's have set the standard for both comfort and innovation with introduction of such services as onboard photo and nitrox services and a formal Safe Solo Diving program.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Hiroko Miyayama
- Hairy Ghost Pipefish -

COMPETITIONS

Come Dive Cairns Australia gate way to the Great Barrier Reef and The Coral Sea

FEATURE ARTISTS

ROGEST is Ron Steven.

As a thank you to Mike Ball and his guests, Rogest is offering a 10% 'Mate’s Rate Thank You' discount to all Mike Ball customers present, past and future. This fine art inspired by many years of diving in Australia and Papua New Guinea is available to be shipped to any location.

Visit www.rogest.com and quote 'MBDE-007' and enjoy the color and passion of one of the best known marine artists.

MIKE BALL FACT FILE

>>1969 Started Dive School in Townsville.
>>1969 First Australian dive school to use cylinder pressure gauges and BCD’s.
>>1977 Introduced the first dive skins/stinger suits to diving.
>>1981 Acquires the world’s first custom built twin hull dive vessel – ‘Watersport’.
>>1981 Built Australia’s most hi-tech dive shop and training facility.
>>1986 Built ‘Supersport’ – to expand service to Coral Sea .
>>1989 Built ‘Spoilsport’ – internationally credited as world’s best liveaboard.
>>1990 Expanded operations into Cairns .
>>1992 Queensland Tourism Awards – Best Tour Operator.
>>1996 Opened sales office in Flagstaff , Arizona .
>>1997 Expanded operations into Papua New Guinea.
>>1997 World’s first formal Solo Diving program.
>>1997 Introduced 5 star liveaboard service to Papua New Guinea with Paradise Sport .
>>2000 Centralised operations at Cairns head office.
>>2004 Inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame at Grand Cayman Island.
>>2005 Mike’s new direction - going out on boats instead of just running boats. Scaling back to one vessel operating from Cairns… back to his original roots as a keen underwater photographer.
>>2005 Introduced photo competition on every departure.
>>2006 Replaced Supersport in Cairns with Spoilsport.
>>2007 Closed Papua New Guinea service after 10 great years.