Spoilsport Liveaboard Overview

diver in scuba gear smiling on a small boat at seaDIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Melina Biedermann
diver in scuba gear smiling on a small boat at sea
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Melina is a dedicated traveler and seasoned divemaster based in the heart of South East Asia. With a flair for discovering hidden treasures, her love for...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
Aerial view of the Spoilsport liveaboard catamaran with guests relaxing on its sun deck
The Spoilsport, Australia's most awarded liveaboard dive boat, operated by diving legend Mike Ball, offers exceptional experiences.
Aerial view of the Spoilsport liveaboard cruising past a coral reef
The Spoilsport is a spacious, rebreather-friendly liveaboard with a large dive deck and large RIBs for entry and exit.
The Spoilsport liveaboard underway at sea with crew waving from the deck
This steel-built yacht, measuring 98 feet (30 m) and built in 1989, guarantees stability and comfort for up to 28 guests.
Diver alongside a grey reef shark with a smaller fish swimming beneath it
Diving on the Spoilsport allows guests to explore the Great Barrier Reef year-round, with warm water and suitable conditions throughout the year.
Diver photographing a spotted eagle ray gliding over the wreck of the SS Yongala
Reefs, wrecks, and rays—all in a day's diving from the Spoilsport.
Green sea turtle swimming past a school of yellow snapper on a coral reef
Spoilsport takes you to remarkable sites like Cod Hole, Goggle Gardens, and Snake Pit.
Diver silhouetted against a dense school of baitfish among yellow and orange soft corals
With excellent visibility up to 131 feet (40 m), guests can encounter big fish, stunning coral reefs, and thrilling shark dives.
Cabin aboard the Spoilsport with a queen bed, wooden dresser and curtained window
All cabins are air-conditioned and serviced daily, offering choices of queen, double, or twin beds.
Twin-bed cabin aboard the Spoilsport with striped bedding and a wall-mounted air conditioner
Cabins include budget options with shared bathrooms, club cabins with ensuite facilities, and standard/premium cabins.
Guests chatting over a brochure in the wicker-furnished lounge aboard the Spoilsport
When not exploring the underwater world, guests can unwind in the air-conditioned lounge or the open-air dining area.
Dining room aboard the Spoilsport set with white tablecloths and a fruit basket
Fresh snacks and fruits are available all day.

Experience remarkable diving adventures on the Spoilsport, one of Australia’s most well-known liveaboards. With excellent visibility up to 131 feet (40 m), guests can encounter big fish, stunning coral reefs, and thrilling shark dives.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef, Cod Hole, or the Coral Sea with various itineraries, including three-, four-, and seven-night options. Special minke whale snorkeling trips are available in June and July.

Australia’s most awarded liveaboard dive boat, operated by diving legend Mike Ball, offers exceptional experiences. The Spoilsport is a spacious, rebreather-friendly liveaboard with a large dive deck and large RIBs for entry and exit.

This steel-built yacht, measuring 98 feet (30 m)  and built in 1989, guarantees stability and comfort for up to 28 guests. It’s an ideal choice for those who experience motion sickness on cruises due to its twin-hulled catamaran design.

With nearly 30 years of experience, this purpose-built vessel guarantees outstanding performance, comfort, safety, and luxury.

Keep reading as we dive into our review of the Spoilsport.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Things we like:

  • Dives including shark feeds, minke whales and potato cod encounters
  • Excellent food
  • Friendly and professional crew
  • Informative and safety-conscious dive briefings
  • Open dive deck policy and dedicated photo stations

Things we don't like:

  • Some cabins are small with limited amenities
  • Interior cabins lack windows

Diving on the Spoilsport liveaboard

Diver photographing a giant grouper on a coral reef
Diver photographing a large school of grey reef sharks
Diver approaching a shipwreck with a grouper resting among the debris
Fisheye view of the camera and gear table on the Spoilsport dive deck

Diving on the Spoilsport allows guests to explore the Great Barrier Reef year-round, with warm water and suitable conditions throughout the year. Water temperatures range from 75 to 82 F (24 to 28 C). The warmer months extend from November to April, while cooler conditions prevail from May to October.

The best time for an exciting minke whale encounter is during June and July. Standard itineraries generally offer three dives per day. Typically, there’s an “open deck” policy, allowing guests to choose how much or how little they’d like to dive.

Spoilsport takes you to remarkable sites like Cod Hole, Goggle Gardens, and Snake Pit, where you’ll encounter stunning walls adorned with large soft corals, exciting big-fish action, shark dives, and possibly deep pelagic dives.

Spoilsport’s itineraries also provide opportunities for snorkeling, particularly during the Fly/ Dive Cod Hole and Coral Sea Safari itineraries. The experienced and professional crew ensures a hassle-free dive safari adventure.

To enhance the diving experience, Spoilsport offers services such as nitrox fills, solo diving, and a rebreather service. If you’re not already certified, you may also take a 3-day nitrox course that includes free nitrox fills. Certified divers can obtain fills at a rate of $25 per day.

Highlights:

  • Year-round diving in ideal conditions
  • Snorkeling with minke whales in June and July
  • Three daily dives
  • Nitrox fills, solo diving, and rebreather services

Onboard the Spoilsport

Guests chatting over a brochure in the wicker-furnished lounge aboard the Spoilsport
Sun deck of the Spoilsport liveaboard with loungers under a shade canopy
Guests relaxing on blue sun loungers aboard the Spoilsport with the reef visible below
Bunk cabin aboard the Spoilsport with made-up beds and a framed print on the wall

The Spoilsport is a custom-built vessel affiliated with the renowned Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious dive experience. With two parallel hulls, it offers stability while at sea.

Spoilsport has 12 experienced crew members and welcomes 28 guests into 14 spacious cabins, catering to various budgets. Cabins include budget options with shared bathrooms, club cabins with ensuite facilities, and standard/premium cabins. All are air-conditioned and serviced daily, offering choices of queen, double, or twin beds.

When not exploring the underwater world, guests can unwind in the air-conditioned lounge or the open-air dining area. Onboard facilities also include a TV, DVD player, music and movie library, a computer and CD burner, and a satellite phone. A selection of books, magazines, games, and fish identification books is available for added entertainment.

Upstairs, a spacious sundeck offers a comfortable lounging area, complete with both shaded and sunlit sections. The adjacent bar makes it a perfect spot to enjoy refreshing drinks.

On the dive deck, guests will find a spacious area supervised by dive guides. It’s well-equipped with rental gear, storage boxes, camera stations, freshwater showers, and rinse tanks.

A dedicated battery charging station keeps devices powered. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the three large camera tables and the dedicated camera rinse tanks.

Highlights:

  • Accommodates 28 guests in 14 spacious cabins
  • Lounging area, sundeck and bar
  • Three large camera tables and rebreather friendly

Dining on the Spoilsport

Dining room aboard the Spoilsport set with white tablecloths and a fruit basket
Crew member serving a plated dinner to a guest aboard the Spoilsport

Spoilsport offers international and Australian dishes, and the chef aims to please, catering to vegetarians, vegans, and those needing gluten-free meals. Fresh snacks and fruits are available all day.

In addition to the breakfast and lunch menu, there are always daily options like fruit salad, cereals, yogurt, toast for breakfast, and bread, salads, and fruit for lunch. Complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water are available 24/7.

Complimentary wine and soft drinks are served with evening meals, while personal alcohol is not allowed. Guests receive fruit juice and light refreshments when they board.

Highlights:

  • Diverse dietary options, including vegetarian and vegan
  • Complimentary wine with evening meals
  • 24/7 access to fresh snacks and drinks

Things we like:

  • Dives including shark feeds, minke whales and potato cod encounters
  • Excellent food
  • Friendly and professional crew
  • Informative and safety-conscious dive briefings
  • Open dive deck policy and dedicated photo stations

Things we don't like:

  • Some cabins are small with limited amenities
  • Interior cabins lack windows
Key facts
Year built: 1989
Max divers: 28
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: Yes (free)
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes ($)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: < 5 Nights
Price range: Mid-range
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