reef

Log This Dive

Irving Reef

Irving Reef, out in the Coral Sea, is one of those places that feels properly remote. You’re often the only boat for miles, and that seclusion translates into some seriously healthy reef. We love hitting the shallows here for a drift, letting the current carry us over enormous tables of staghorn coral. The light plays through them beautifully, creating these pockets of electric blue and purple. Keep an eye on the surface, too. We’ve had White-bellied Sea Eagles circle overhead, and the terns, especially the Great Crested and Lesser Crested, are always putting on a show. Underwater, the bludger trevally tend to hang out in schools, looking for an easy meal, and the golden trevally are often right there alongside them. It’s not about huge pelagics here, more about the intricate health of the reef and the density of the smaller fish. We’d suggest going early in the morning; the light is softer and the reef colours just pop. It’s a site for divers who appreciate pristine coral gardens and a sense of true wilderness.