Scuba Zoo - "The safest and best shark dive I've done." Jo Librdi
Flinders Reef adventure builds to a climax with at Scuba Zoo where you can observe 30+ sharks within arms reach. This dive was described by well known US photographer, JO Liburdi as “the safest and best shark dive” he had participated in. The dive provides a unique opportunity to observe and photograph sharks at very close range for an extended period (30 minutes) while observing their behavior change from relaxed to a fully charged feeding frenzy. With detailed yet concise and clear briefings from the Trip Director and excellent identification information from the Photo Pro, this is a perfect introduction for those divers understandably apprehensive at first meeting sharks underwater, and a golden opportunity for experienced divers wanting close shark photographs.

Scuba Zoo was developed by Mike Ball to give divers close up experiences with sharks in controlled conditions. Two huge shark cages have been constructed and anchored to the sea floor where divers can either enter or lie on top. Sharks slowly cruise, following a carefully constructed bait bin, within arms reach, great for photographers. Grey Reef Sharks are abundant, but there is also Whitetips and some magnificent Silvertips.

There are usually between 30 and 50 sharks circling when the bait bin is released. After only a couple of frenzied minutes the baits are consumed, sharks return to their slow cruising and divers now leave the cages to look over the sand below to see if they can find any shark teeth, that the sharks often shed.

Yongala Wreck - "The best dive I've ever done!" Mike Ball
The 115 meter SS Yongala sank in 1911. After descending through oversize jacks and spadefish you see the Yongala shrouded in a myriad of marine life. At 15 meter's you are level with the uppermost deck. The Yongala rests at 30 meter's leaning on her starboard side. The uppermost port hull is richly adorned with multicoloured soft coral trees, whips and sponges, gently moving with the current. Enveloped in baitfish, slowly fining above this colourful parade you see all manner of fish moving amongst this colourful haven. You sense they are oblivious to your approach and realize this is something very special! This tranquility may be broken by predatory giant trevally torpedoing through the baitfish. Descending across the sloping deck you see companionways and compartments crowded fish life. Purple-banded angelfish blend with purple soft corals; hundreds of yellow perch hover in the current while super size coral trout observe you glide by. Both turtles and venomous sea snakes foraging for food are common sightings on the wreck.

Under the bow, throngs of mangrove jack and sweetlip mingle with large estuarine cod. Moving along the sand towards the stern you are likely to see 2 meter long bull rays shadowed by schools of cobia. Large inquisitive napoleon wrasse swim by while, large chinamen and scribbled puffers peer out from under the hull. From the deck broken spars lean onto the sand, each with it’s own squadron of fish tightly bunched close by. Many species of brightly coloured nudibranch can be found. Some of the most highly prized Yongala sightings include the family of shy 500-pound groupers, 2 meter shovelnose rays and large bull sharks. A school of sweetlip hovers above artifacts under the stern while photographers will be more attracted to the photogenic rudder section. One circuit of this historic shipwreck will display an awesome amount of marine life, but one dive or even one day is not enough. Nitrox is recommended to maximize your enjoyment. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the huge bull rays hanging motionless in the current during the night dive. Note: Weather conditions prevent us from diving the Yongala 1 in 14 expeditions; the success rate is 93%. If conditions are unsuitable for the wreck we go to the reef.

Get the most out of it - Spoilsport Big 5 Challenge!
Locate and describe 5 species of anemone fish.
Locate 5 points of interest on the Yongala.
Participate the shark workshop and Scuba Zoo dive.
Participate in the deep dive skills workshop.
Pay homage to Gigantus Gorgonus (worlds largest fan)

Spoilsport (explore vessel)
Spoilsport is a custom designed twin hull liveaboard to provide the optimum liveaboard experience with excellent spaciousness and stability. She has received 11 prestigious Rodale’s Reader

Choice awards including Best Liveaboard and Most Environmentally Sensitive Liveaboard. Spoilsport is very spacious and stable with a very large well-equipped dive deck as well as a very spacious sundeck, al fresco deck and saloon.

Sumptuous Meals (see menus)
Enjoy a sumptuous variety of meals that has earned Spoilsport an enviable reputation for catering excellence. Vegetarian and standard diets are catered for with Australian and International menus using fresh local produce. Please advise if you have special dietary needs

Spoilsport Benefits

• 3 dive region itinerary
• Complimentary Reef Tax payment.
• Complimentary Reef Ecology Certificate Course.
• Complimentary soft drinks and wine.
• Chef prepared meals and in-between meal snacks.
• Twin or double cabins most with ocean views. Average occupancy is 22.
• Daily cabin service with chocolate on pillow.
• Warm towels after each dive.
• Transfer from Spoilsport to hotel
• Complimentary hotel accommodation (4 star) on final day 

Diving Service (see dive procedures)
You benefit from the industries best trained and qualified staff. 7 of the 11-person crew are divemasters or instructors. The ‘Trip Director’ is specifically tasked to ensure you have great diving and a great time.

Most guests prefer to plan and dive independently with their buddy. It is not our policy for all dives to be divemaster led. Guests who prefer more supervision are offered a combination of: complimentary orientation dives to enhance skills: a scheduled morning and afternoon guided dive and the opportunity to dive with our staff on an ad hoc basis. Nitrox, solo diving, photo services and the Spoilsport (BIG5) Challenge are available.

Townsville Weather = Most Sunshine
Townsville has the highest daily rate of sunshine hours per year for any Australian coastal region and minimal rainfall because it is in a ‘rain shadow’.