A ribbon reef on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef off Port Douglas, world-class coral diving reachable as a day trip.
Region: Port Douglas, QLD
Skill Level: Intermediate
Depth: 7-24m
Water Temperature: 23-29°C
Visibility: 15-30m
Best Time to Dive: Year-round; clearest water and minke whales in winter
Marine Life: Clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish and the big, curious Maori wrasse; Green turtles common across the reef; Whitetip reef sharks patrolling the slopes; Eagle rays, stingrays and the occasional manta ray; Potato cod and groupers near the bommies, with giant clams in the shallows; Dwarf minke whales visiting the northern ribbon reefs in winter.
Hazards: Outer-reef site exposed to the open Coral Sea, conditions depend on wind and swell; Current can pick up at the reef edge, though it is usually gentle; Certified dives reach around 24 metres, watch gas and depth; Marine park, take only photographs and do not touch the coral.
Facilities: Day boats from Port Douglas Marina, under 90 minutes by fast catamaran; Permanently moored pontoons offering introductory and certified diving and snorkelling; Smaller specialist operators running more intimate certified-diving trips.
