Snorkeling in the Rip
Why dive here
With 108+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays) - Snorkeling in the Rip offers some of Christmas Island's richest drift diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest March, April, May.
The Rip on Christmas Island isn't a deep dive, it's a surface spectacle. We love it because it’s where the island's unique geology really puts on a show, right at eye-level. You get these massive, ancient coral bommies, smoothed by millennia of surge, creating a kind of labyrinth. Sunlight filters through the gaps, illuminating schools of parrotfish and cardinalfish zipping between the shadows. It's an ideal spot for anyone who enjoys drifting and observing the intricate world just beneath the surface. We always find ourselves lingering around the bigger mushroom-shaped corals, watching the Spotted Groupers eye us from their ledges. The currents can get a bit frisky here, so pick a calmer day, ideally when the tide isn't ripping too hard. Keep an eye out for the Red-footed Boobies fishing overhead; they’re pretty fearless and will often dive right near you. It's not about big pelagics here, but about the sheer density and diversity of reef life in a dynamic, shallow environment – a genuine privilege to witness up close.
Safety Notes
Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.
Reviews for Snorkeling in the Rip
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Snorkeling in the Rip
Snorkeling in the Rip Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Snorkeling in the Rip, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
27.22°C
81°F
Current Speed
13.15 cm/s
Direction: W (261.3°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.189 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
34.03 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
Book a dive trip in Christmas Island
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near Snorkeling in the Rip
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
