Ribbon Reefs
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Why dive in Ribbon Reefs?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 8
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Diurnal Frequent sightingsBumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatum
The bumphead parrotfish is the largest species of parrotfish, known for the characteristic hump on its head. They are predominantly herbivores, grazing on coral reefs by scraping off algae and live coral, and are often seen in large schools.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsCommon Minke Whale
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
The Common Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is the smallest of the rorqual whales, characterized by its sleek, dark gray to black body with a white underside and a distinctive white band on its flippers in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a cosmopolitan species, found in all oceans, preferring cooler coastal and offshore waters but migrating to warmer waters for breeding. Primarily a filter feeder, its diet consists mainly of krill and small schooling fish, and it typically travels alone or in small groups, though large aggregations can occur in rich feeding grounds.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Great Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, recognizable by its wide, flat head and tall, curved dorsal fin. As a migratory apex predator, it uses its unique head for enhanced sensing and pinning down prey.
BEST SEASON
Variable Grey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsOcellated Eagle Ray
Aetobatus ocellatus
The Ocellated Eagle Ray, also known as the Whitespotted Eagle Ray, is a large ray characterized by a dark greenish-grey to black dorsal surface covered with numerous white spots, and a white underside. It possesses a flattened, diamond-shaped body, a prominent snout, and a long, whip-like tail armed with venomous spines. This species primarily feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, which it crushes with its specialized dental plates.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPotato Grouper
Epinephelus tukula
The Potato Grouper is a large fish known for its spotted appearance, resembling the surface of a potato. It primarily inhabits coral reefs and is a solitary carnivore. Potato Groupers can grow to be quite large, reaching up to 2 meters in length and weighing over 100 kg.
BEST SEASON
Variable Reef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Ribbon Eel
Rhinomuraena quaesita
The Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita) is a slender, distinctive moray eel known for its vibrant colors, which change throughout its life from black (juvenile) to blue (male) and eventually yellow (female). It possesses expanded anterior nostrils and high dorsal fins, giving it a unique appearance. This species typically resides in sand burrows and crevices within coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, where it ambushes small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 30
BarracudaSphyraena spp.
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterus
Broadclub CuttlefishSepia latimanus
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata
Humpback WhaleMegaptera novaeangliae
Humphead WrasseCheilinus undulatus
Jointed RazorfishAeoliscus strigatus
Latticed ButterflyfishChaetodon rafflesii
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
LionfishPterois spp.
Loggerhead Sea TurtleCaretta caretta
MandarinfishSynchiropus splendidus
Orange ClownfishAmphiprion percula
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Peacock Mantis ShrimpOdontodactylus scyllarus
Pygmy SeahorseHippocampus bargibanti
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
StonefishSynanceia verrucosa
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Whale SharkRhincodon typus
Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Ribbon Reefs
Coral Sea · Australia
Frequently asked questions about Ribbon Reefs
When is the best time to dive in Ribbon Reefs?
The best time to dive in Ribbon Reefs is from June to July and from September to November. In those months the water is between 22°C and 28°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Ribbon Reefs?
Divers can encounter 38 species in Ribbon Reefs. Highlights include Bumphead Parrotfish, Common Minke Whale, Great Hammerhead Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Ocellated Eagle Ray, and Potato Grouper.
When can you see the Common Minke Whale in Ribbon Reefs?
The Common Minke Whale is most often seen in Ribbon Reefs from June to July.
When can you see the Ocellated Eagle Ray in Ribbon Reefs?
The Ocellated Eagle Ray is most often seen in Ribbon Reefs from June to August.
When can you see the Bumphead Parrotfish in Ribbon Reefs?
The Bumphead Parrotfish can be seen in Ribbon Reefs all year round.
What is the water temperature in Ribbon Reefs?
Water temperature in Ribbon Reefs ranges from 22°C in July to 30°C in January.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Ribbon Reefs?
Most divers wear a 5 mm wetsuit in July, when the water drops to 22°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in January, when it reaches 30°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Ribbon Reefs?
Visibility in Ribbon Reefs ranges from 12 m to 35 m. The water is clearest from September to November.
What are the currents like in Ribbon Reefs?
Divers in Ribbon Reefs can expect light, moderate, or strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Ribbon Reefs?
After dark, Ribbon Reefs reveals nocturnal species such as Leaf Scorpionfish, Lionfish, Oriental Sweetlips, Stonefish, Whitetip Reef Shark, and Zebra Shark.
Where is Ribbon Reefs located?
Ribbon Reefs is a dive destination in Australia, in the Coral Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Ribbon Reefs. Spotted something that looks off?
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