Turtle Bommie - Coral Sea

Esquina Norte, right on the northernmost bend of the reef, offers a mellow dive. You follow a natural channel formed by chunky coral heads, dropping from about 8 meters down to 22 at its deepest. It’s a good spot to drift along, keeping an eye out for cubera snappers and the occasional ray gliding by. We've also spotted cobia and jacks here, often cruising the edges of the channel. The shallower sections, around 8 to 12 meters, are where you’ll find some really impressive brain corals and giant elkhorn formations. Visibility usually hovers around 14 meters, making it a comfortable dive for most levels.

Location
Coral Sea, Australia, Australasia
Coordinates
-23.899000, 152.402900
Type
reef

Best Time to Dive in Coral Sea

The warmest water temperatures in Coral Sea occur in March, averaging 28.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 21.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.9°C
  • February: 28.3°C
  • March: 28.3°C
  • April: 27.2°C
  • May: 25.0°C
  • June: 23.0°C
  • July: 21.6°C
  • August: 21.2°C
  • September: 22.3°C
  • October: 24.3°C
  • November: 26.3°C
  • December: 27.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Coral Sea

Nearest Dive Centres to Turtle Bommie

Marine Life in Coral Sea

Home to 120 recorded species including 73 reef fish, 30 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Turtle Bommie

Based on average water temperature of 25.2°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth for diving at Turtle Bommie?
The maximum depth for diving at Turtle Bommie is 15 meters. This relatively shallow depth makes it an accessible site for various experience levels, including snorkellers and scuba divers.
What kind of marine life and coral can divers expect to see at Turtle Bommie?
Turtle Bommie is renowned as a turtle cleaning station, where divers can observe both green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. These magnificent creatures are often seen interacting with cleaner wrasse. As a reef dive, you can expect to see the associated reef ecosystem. For more information on marine life, visit our wildlife database.
Is Turtle Bommie considered a difficult dive site, suitable for beginners?
Turtle Bommie is classified with an intermediate difficulty level. While it is accessible to both snorkellers and scuba divers, its intermediate rating suggests it's best suited for divers with some prior experience rather than absolute beginners.
When is the best time of year to dive Turtle Bommie for optimal conditions and turtle sightings?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year for optimal conditions or peak turtle sightings at Turtle Bommie. We recommend checking our When to Dive section for general guidance on the Coral Sea region.
Do I need to be a certified diver to experience Turtle Bommie?
To experience Turtle Bommie as a scuba diver, you will need to be a certified diver. However, the site is also accessible to snorkellers, offering an alternative way to observe the marine life without scuba certification.
What are the typical water conditions and currents like at the Turtle Bommie dive site?
At Turtle Bommie, divers can expect an average visibility of 13 meters. The provided data does not include specific information regarding typical water temperatures or current conditions for this site.