Ribbon Reefs

Ribbon Reefs a Pristine Paradise on the Outer Great Barrier Reef

🌊 A Chain of Stunning Outer Reefs. The Ribbon Reefs are a series of 10 long, narrow reefs stretching along the northern Great Barrier Reef, offering some of the most pristine scuba diving and snorkeling spots in the world.
🐠 Incredible Marine Biodiversity – Home to vibrant coral gardens, giant clams, sea turtles, reef sharks, and thousands of tropical fish, the Ribbon Reefs are a haven for marine life.
🤿 World-Class Diving and Snorkeling. Crystal-clear waters and outstanding visibility, the Ribbon Reefs are famous for sites like Steve’s Bommie, Cod Hole, and Lighthouse Bommie, Scuba divers can encounter massive potato cod and swirling schools of fish.
🦈 Famous for Dwarf Minke Whale Encounters. From June to August, the Ribbon Reefs are one of the best places in the world to experience in-water interactions with dwarf minke whales, an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
🌿 Part of the Remote & Pristine Outer Reef. Located far from the mainland, the Ribbon Reefs remain largely untouched, making them a bucket-list destination for divers looking for healthy coral ecosystems and thriving marine life.
🛥️ Best Explored by Liveaboard. Due to their remote location, the Ribbon Reefs are best accessed via multi-day liveaboard trips, allowing divers and snorkelers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the outer reef.
📷 A Photographer’s Dream. With its vibrant corals, diverse marine species, and dramatic underwater landscapes, providing some of the most breathtaking underwater photography opportunities on the Great Barrier Reef.

Discover the Ribbon Reefs, Queensland Australia

Ribbon Reefs are part of the northern Reef’s continental shelf. Ten separate reefs in a line house different dive sites. The Cod Hole is the most popular and is home to large potato cod families.

The series of ten coral reefs located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea. They are part of the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, and are situated north of Cairns.

The Ribbon Reefs are long, narrow reefs stretching for approximately 50 miles (80 kilometres) along the continental shelf. They are famous for diverse marine life, including hundreds of fish species, sea turtles, sharks, and colourful coral formations.

The Ribbon Reefs are a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Many operators offering day trips and liveaboard dive tours. Visitors can explore the reefs and encounter various marine creatures. Visitors see giant clams, Reef sharks, and the occasional manta ray or humpback whale at these Reef locations. The reefs are also home to several shipwrecks, providing opportunities for wreck diving.

Anyone interested in marine life and coral reefs will find this a must-see destination.

Scuba diving the Ribbon Reefs.

Scuba diving is popular among diving enthusiasts. Visitors are amazed by the clear waters, diverse marine life, and stunning coral formations, making it a unique and exciting underwater experience.

Many diving operators offer day trips or liveaboard tours to the Ribbon Reefs. These tours typically depart from Cairns and usually include multiple dives daily on different reefs and surface intervals for rest.

Some popular dive sites on the Ribbon Reefs include:

Cod Hole, where divers can encounter large potato cod.;
Pixie Pinnacle is a coral bommie with abundant marine life.
Steve’s Bommie is a pinnacle with schools of fish and colourful coral.

Divers can expect to encounter various marine creatures on the Ribbon Reefs, including colourful Reef fish, sea turtles, Reef sharks, and sometimes even larger marine life, such as manta rays or whale sharks. The water temperature on the Ribbon Reefs averages around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), making it comfortable to dive in year-round.

Scuba diving at the Ribbon Reefs in Queensland offers a unique and unforgettable experience for novice and experienced divers alike. It’s worth adding to your bucket list if you’re a diving enthusiast.

Liveaboard Options

Spirit of Freedom

The Spirit of Freedom is a luxury liveaboard vessel that operates scuba diving trips to the Coral Sea in Queensland, Australia. This vessel is designed for scuba diving and offers a comfortable and spacious environment for divers to relax between dives. Find out more and live availability.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is a well-established liveaboard company that operates scuba diving trips to the Great Barrier Reef. These trips visit the Coral Sea in Queensland, Australia. Their flagship vessel, the “Spoilsport,” is a spacious and comfortable liveaboard. Visitors can choose from a range of diving itineraries to suit all levels of diving experience. Find out more, including prices and trip duration.

Frequently Asked Questions – Ribbon Reefs

Where are the Ribbon Reefs located?

The Ribbon Reefs are a series of 10 long, narrow coral reefs located along the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef, stretching between Cooktown and Lizard Island. These reefs sit far offshore in the Coral Sea, making them one of the most remote and pristine areas of the Great Barrier Reef.

How do you get to the Ribbon Reefs?

Due to their offshore location, the best way to explore is by joining a liveaboard dive trip from Cairns. These multi-day trips allow divers and snorkelers to fully immerse themselves in the reef’s beauty and explore its world-class dive sites.

What marine life can I see at the Ribbon Reefs?

The Ribbon Reefs are teeming with marine life, including giant potato cod, sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, and thousands of colourful reef fish. Between June and August, the area is also famous for dwarf minke whale encounters, offering a rare opportunity to swim with these gentle giants.

Are the Ribbon Reefs good for diving and snorkeling?

Absolutely! The Ribbon Reefs are home to some of the best dive and snorkel sites on the Great Barrier Reef, with exceptional coral formations, amazing visibility, and thriving marine ecosystems. Popular dive sites include Steve’s Bommie, Cod Hole, and Lighthouse Bommie, each offering unique underwater experiences.

Why are the Ribbon Reefs so special?

The remote location, vibrant coral health, and diverse marine life make this one of the most untouched and breathtaking sections of the Great Barrier Reef. With incredible biodiversity, stunning underwater landscapes, and fewer crowds, they offer an exclusive and unforgettable reef experience.