6 of the best Great Barrier Reef sites for scuba diving off Cairns
List
By Chelsea Tromans
The Great Barrier Reef has a reputation for being one of Australia’s most magnificent natural beauties. Any scuba diver who has had the privilege of exploring any of its 2,300 kilometres of reef will know it’s worthy of this title.
The first reef ecosystem to be recognised by UNESCO, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef is below the surface.
Cairns is the gateway to some of the best scuba diving spots in Australia (and the world). From this one location, you’re in prime position to explore the best that this World Heritage Site has to offer.
While the Great Barrier Reef is made up of over 2,500 individual reefs, we’ve put together a list of the best Great Barrier Reef sites for scuba diving near Cairns – and the animals you can see while diving there!
Flynn Reef (to find Nemo)
Located 60km off the coast of Cairns, Flynn Reef is a great place to see a little bit of everything. The reef depth varies from five to 25 metres and is home to parrot fish who sleep in little crevices and several sea turtles come here to hang out and do whatever sea turtles do (eat mostly). You’re also guaranteed to spot ‘Nemo’ as the reef is home to schools of clownfish.
You can get to the reef with several different operators but Pro Dive Cairns will get you there quick smart. Along with three dive sites, their day trip also includes a buffet lunch and, most importantly, a hot shower and bar to enjoy post-scuba diving.
The Cod Hole (to swim with human-sized fish)
The Cod Hole is one of the most famous dive sites in the world. Why? Because you get to see giant potato cod feeding. These guys are massive and have been stopping for a swim-through lunch here for more than 30 years. This makes them extra friendly and photogenic.
Located on the northern part of the Ribbon Reefs (diver heaven), this site is a little harder to get to but that also makes it more exclusive.
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions is a great option to get to this secluded playground of massive fish, thanks to its liveaboard option. After a short low-flying scenic flight to Lizard Island, you’ll spend the next three days on board its Spoilsport vessel, which accommodates up to 29 passengers. Besides ticking off 12 dive sites, the chef-prepared meals are a highlight on this tour.
Osprey Reef (to see a feeding frenzy)
Sharks. Lots and lots of sharks. That’s probably the best way to describe North Horn, on the tip top of Osprey Reef. To some that might sound like a list of the worst possible dinner guests ever, but to divers, this is a degustation of visual feasts.
North Horn has been a feeding ground for sharks for over 15 years and nothing will get your adrenaline going like watching dozens of white tip reef sharks tear apart a fish carcass. The odd hammerhead, tiger and grey reef sharks make appearances as well, along with trevally, giant potato cod, green turtles, moray eels, and octopuses.
Ideal for experienced divers, the Osprey Reef boasts up to 100 metres of underwater visibility and is one of the biggest reefs in the region.
Being a part of the Osprey Reef system means it’s far away (more than 300 kilometres from Cairns), but the Spirit of Freedom’s seven-day liveaboard option allows you to experience everything the Osprey Reef has to offer - you’ll spend two days at this spectacular reef - and then some (such as Cod Hole, Steve’s Bommie, a night dive, and a few hours on Lizard Island).
Steve’s Bommie (for a disco dive)
This is where you can see a flame file shell, which is pretty much a meat-eating disco. It has a glowing red shell and its lips flash like lightning, attracting any fish who wants to boogie down, before it snaps shut and ends the party early.
In addition to this groovy shell, there’s a chance to see pretty much everything else at Steve’s Bommie. Literally, this place is so cool every fish wants to come hang out here.
Steve’s Bommie is an isolated bommie (a “bommie” is a derivative of an aboriginal term for a submerged rock or reef) located at Ribbon Reef #3. The excellent visibility and generally calm currents here make it a good dive site for scuba diving off Cairns regardless of your experience level.
Booking a liveaboard trip is once again the best way to experience Steve’s Bommie. Eco-certified Mike Ball Dive Expeditions stops at this reef on its three-day liveaboard adventure (see Cod Hole for details on what the tour includes).
Norman Reef (to see whales)
Turtles, moray eels, Maori wrasse and giant clams are always hanging around Norman Reef but if you're really lucky (or really organised) and get here in mid-late winter, the minke whales are a sight to behold.
At around 80km off the coast of Cairns, Norman Reef is on the very edge of the outer reef which brings in some large fish. During night dives it’s not uncommon to find sleeping sharks within the caves.
Reaching this great all-rounder of a reef is easy - Tusa Dive and Divers Den stop here during day trips, while Reef Encounter offers two, three and four-day trips from Cairns for those wanting to spend more time on the Great Barrier Reef. Its liveaboard boat has 21 cabins (all with ensuites), an air-conditioned dining saloon, bar and lounge - including a fully licensed bar and games area - and an open-air hot tub.
Pixie Pinnacle (for a bit of everything)
David Attenborough is probably responsible for all of our collective knowledge about the natural world. So when he picks a dive site it’s probably good to go and check it out.
Pixie Pinnacle is another part of the Ribbon Reef system – Ribbon Reef #9 and #10 to be precise – and has a little bit of everything that makes the Great Barrier Reef great. Here you can see cod, clownfish, whitetip sharks and rays.
The 30-metre tall pinnacle features hard corals, soft corals and more colours than a gallery of fine art. Hot tip: It’s a must-dive for underwater macro photographers.
You’ll need to jump on a liveaboard boat to get here. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions’ three-day tour does a great job of showing you around.
Before you go
The Great Barrier Reef is a magical place that needs your help to keep it safe and flourishing. Before you go on your Great Barrier Reef scuba diving trip, consider downloading the Eye On The Reef App, which allows you to report and share your sightings with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to aid in research and protecting the reef.
Here are some more ways you can help save the Great Barrier Reef.
Planning to stay on the Great Barrier Reef? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your holiday, plus, make sure you add these incredible Great Barrier Reef experiences to your itinerary.
