Norman Reef Ultimate Guide
Norman Reef – Key Highlights
- One of the best outer reef locations, Norman Reef, is known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral formations, and diverse marine life, making it a top spot for snorkelling and scuba diving.
- Pristine coral gardens feature a mix of soft and hard corals, including large plate corals, delicate sea fans, and colourful branching corals that provide a thriving habitat for reef fish.
- Incredible marine biodiversity, with sightings of clownfish, damselfish, parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles, and reef sharks all common in the area.
- Fantastic visibility, often up to 30 metres, allows snorkellers and divers to fully appreciate the reef’s breathtaking underwater landscapes.
- Exciting dive sites, including swim-throughs, bommies, and coral canyons, offer thrilling underwater exploration for beginner and experienced divers.
- Frequent encounters with reef sharks, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, and the chance to spot manta rays, giant clams, and other fascinating marine creatures.
- Perfect for day trips and liveaboard adventures, Norman Reef is easily accessible from Cairns and offers an unforgettable Great Barrier Reef experience for all ocean lovers!
- Norman Reef Latitude: -16.252278S, Longitude: 145.59.71E
- Access by boat and helicopter
- Depth Range: 1 to 20 metres
- Visibility up to 30 metres
- Size: 430 hectares
Discover Norman Reef
Norman Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and has been a green zone since July 2004. Visitors to this site will see the abundance of large fish and marine life.
Several tour operators head for this outlying reef on the continental shelf, a favourite of experienced divers for its clear visuals and variety of marine life. There are also shallower sites suitable for less skilled scuba divers.
Norman Reef Caves
The coral wall of this dive site contains mini caves, which appeal to inexperienced divers in the shallows and offer veterans a full range of plant and marine life at greater depths.
Marine Life
Spotted moray eels can be found in the nooks, and watch for reef sharks.
Norman Reef Fingers
Depth: 8 metres to 21 metres
Finger is a shallow cove, perfect for beginners and advanced scuba divers, protecting it well. The reason the Site is named Fingers is from a bird’s-eye view. It looks like the fingers of a hand.
The fingers sit to the site’s south-west and can get quite deep. Three swim-throughs are to the northeast and one to the southwest of the reef site.
Marine Life
Fingers Reef site offers a wide variety of wildlife. The most common are Maori Wrasse, Giant Clams, White-Tip Reef Sharks, Moray Eels, Cuttlefish, and Octopus.
Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Sea Turtles visit this Site as a cleaning station.
Tropos
Our hidden gem, Tropos, sits at the northern point of Norman Reef.
Tropos is beginner-friendly. It has a lovely shallow sandy lagoon with many nooks and crannies to explore. It also has a deep, scenic reef wall with a sloping sandy bottom, perfect for any advanced diver wanting to gain some depth.
Marine Life
It offers the most diverse marine life, including Green Sea Turtles, White Tip Reef Sharks, Schooling Bumphead Parrot Fish, Garden Eels, and Blue-Spotted Rays.
Experience the Best of Scuba Diving at Norman Reef
Embark on an underwater adventure as you explore the highlights of scuba diving at Norman Reef. In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, there is Abundant marine life and stunning coral formations. Dive into crystal-clear waters and encounter colourful fish, majestic sea turtles, and vibrant coral gardens teeming with life. From exhilarating drift dives to tranquil reef explorations, there is something for divers of all experience levels. Join us for an unforgettable diving experience and uncover the beauty and diversity of this underwater paradise.
Discover the Ultimate Snorkelling Experience at Norman Reef
Embark on an unforgettable snorkelling adventure and experience Norman Reef’s best. Located in the pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef, Norman Reef boasts some of the most spectacular snorkelling sites in Australia. Dive into crystal-clear waters and immerse yourself in vibrant coral gardens with colourful marine life. Swim alongside majestic sea turtles, playful clownfish, and dazzling reef fish as you explore the underwater wonders of this iconic reef system. With calm waters and excellent visibility, this is the perfect destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. Join us for an unforgettable journey and discover the beauty and magic of snorkelling on Norman Reef.
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FAQs: Exploring a Dazzling Coral Wonderland
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Book now to see Norman Reef
Explore the wonders of Norman Reef, a jewel in the Crown of the Great Barrier Reef. From vibrant coral gardens to captivating marine life, this underwater paradise beckons adventurers of all ages to dive into a world of unparalleled beauty and discovery.
Nearby Coral Reefs
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Please note that the Norman Reef’s reef operators also visit other sites. Usually, the operator skipper makes decisions based on weather conditions. This is worth considering, as they cannot guarantee to visit Norman Reef daily.