Io Reef

Best months: Mar–Jul

Protected Area

Repulse

Why dive here

With 113+ marine species recorded in the area - including dugongs, grey reef sharks, humpback whales, sea turtles and tiger sharks - Io Reef offers some of Coral Sea's richest reef diving. Water ranges 25-30°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeMar–Jul

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeDugongs, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales, Sea Turtles and Tiger Sharks · 113+ species recorded

Water25-30°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterReef dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Io Reef, out in the Coral Sea, offers a straightforward look at a healthy outer reef system. We’ve found good visibility here on most trips, letting you appreciate the sheer scale of the coral structures. It’s primarily a drift dive, best suited for those comfortable with some current, letting you glide past schools of fusiliers and the occasional reef shark patrolling the drop-offs. Come for the wide-angle reef scape rather than specific macro finds.

Today05:3718:0512h 28m daylightGolden hour 17:36

Reviews for Io Reef

Conditions

Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Io Reef

Io Reef Ocean Conditions

Monthly averages for Io Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-16.5, 148) (0km away)