Starting to the north of Cairns, and finishing to the east of Lizard Island, the Ribbon Reefs are a stunning turquoise chain of 10 individual reefs. Fringing the edge of the continental shelf, this 200km stretch of the Great Barrier Reef lies in a remote region of North Queensland and is only accessible by a few liveaboards. Relatively isolated, these reefs support a huge range of biodiversity from the giant clam with it’s violet fluorescent interior, to the vividly red flame file shell and the elusive leafy scorpion fish. Reef formations include beds of huge plate corals, isolated pinnacles crowned in delicate corals and anemones, walls, channels, caves, canyons and shallow coral gardens.

Some of the spectacular dive sites of the Ribbon Reefs include Pixie Pinnacle, Challenger Bay, The Clam Gardens, Lighthouse Bommie, Steve’s Bommie, Temple of Doom and Dynamite Pass. At the very top of the Ribbon Reefs lies the famous Cod Hole, home to a family of resident Potato Cod (Grouper). Like large docile puppy dogs, these magnificent fish are easily approachable and appear ever eager to pose for the camera.

150 km off the north east coast of Queensland lies Osprey Reef, one of the most famous of the Coral Sea reefs. Here you will find the sheer walls, incredible visibility and schools of pelagics typical of the Coral Sea reefs. But Osprey Reef offers more. At the tip of this 25 km long reef is ‘North Horn’, renowned for its thriving shark population. At this site you can dive year round with legions of grey whalers and white tips plus the occasional silvertip, while in the winter and spring schools of hammerheads can often be seen in the blue. Manta Rays are commonly sighted at ‘Around the Bend’, a dive site with a manta ray cleaning station on an isolated bommie. Osprey Reef also boasts some of the world’s largest and most spectacularly coloured soft corals. Due to the depths, occasional currents, and style of diving, Osprey Reef is recommended to the more experienced diver.

The world famous Cod Hole is home to numerous Potato Cod. These huge fish are quite used to divers, offering the chance to get up close and personal, and are quite willing to pose for a photo whilst visiting one of the many cleaning stations. Whilst usually docile and relaxed, the Cod feed allows divers to see the spectacle of these fish feeding in action. The shallows of Cod Hole offer excellent coral life to explore and the chance to search for many hidden treasures. Follow the terraced reef down for the chance to witness pelagic fish on their way past. Though susceptible to current on an incoming tide, this makes for an excellent drift dive.

Shark, sharks and more sharks

An awesome dive for anyone wanting a close encounter with a variety and great number of sharks. Consequently this site is being used to monitor shark behaviour as part of a university research project. North Horn has a natural amphitheatre on the edge of the main reef, with a wall that steps down from near the surface to over a thousand metres deep. There is an abundance of huge soft corals at 25 to 40 metres. There is a commemorative plaque located at 32 metres in honour of a well-loved local Marine enthusiast. Our famous “Shark Feeding” dive is conducted here as well.