MV Spoilsport (Mike Ball Dive Expeditions)
Mike Ball is a fantastic operation to dive the Outer Great Barrier reef with, the level of service was just fantastic, and even though it is more expensive than some of the other operations the additional cost is made of for by the great dive masters, food, and accommodations.
The common area is comfortable, with many rows of tables to eat at, and couches to lounge on. On the dive deck, each diver has their own personal cubby with space on top for your camera gear (one of my favorite things is that they have compressed air hoses on top so you can quickly dry your camera gear if you need to do a lens or port swap). Before each dive they have someone to help you get all your gear on, during the dive you can optionally have a divemaster show you and your group around the site, and after the dive you'll be greeted with a warm towel to dry off with.
We did the three night Ribbon reef trip and stayed in a cabin with an ensuite bathroom. Perfect level of comfort considering that you don't really spend all that much time in the room.
The diving was absolutely fantastic, hitting places like Cod Hole, Steve's Bommie, and Acropolis. All had extensive and healthy coral reefs with amazing hard coral, loads of reef fish and macro life like mantis shrimp. The variety and colors of the hard corals were better than anywhere I've been besides Kosrae.
On Steve's Bommie there were some beautiful "nemo" clownfish. We didn't see a lot of sharks, nowhere near what I've seen in Tahiti and Palau, but we did see some.
I can't imagine diving with any other operation and I'm looking forward to going back to do the full 7 day trip that also takes you out to Osprey Reef where you get to see much more large pelagic life!
