Ocean Safari - Great Barrier Reef

The team at Ocean Safari are all about getting you out to the reef, quickly, without the fuss of bigger boats. We love their smaller, zippy RIBs – they cut the travel time down significantly, meaning more actual dive time on some really cracking northern sites. Our favourite trip with them involves a morning dash out to the Tongue Reef area, specifically the Agincourt Reef bommies. You’ll find these towering structures just off the edge of the continental shelf, often with decent currents bringing in the bigger pelagics. We’ve seen everything from reef sharks cruising past to schools of trevally so thick they cast shadows on the sand. We’d suggest heading out with them early in the dry season, June to August. The water temperature is still comfortable, around 24-25°C, but the visibility tends to be at its best, pushing 20-25 metres consistently. The zodiac ride itself is pretty exhilarating, catching some air over the chop if it’s a bit breezy. This isn’t a centre for slow, sedate dives; it's for divers who want to maximise their time underwater and appreciate the efficiency of a smaller operation. The guides are genuinely passionate, pointing out everything from nudibranchs on the coral to turtles resting under ledges. Just remember to pack light; space on the boats is tight, but that’s part of the charm.

Location: Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Australasia
Coordinates: -16.087248, 145.462550
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.oceansafari.com.au
Certification Agencies: ["PADI"]
Courses: PADI Resort [padi:22245]
Address: The Boardwalk Cafe, Cape Tribulation Road, Cape Tribulation Queensland 4873, Australia

Dive Sites Near Ocean Safari

Ocean Safari provides access to 15 dive sites in Great Barrier Reef.

Admiralty Anchorage (reef)
Agincourt Reef - 5-25m (reef)
Agincourt Reef No. 1 - Trigger Fish City (reef)
Agincourt Reef No. 4 - The Point - 5-25m (reef)
Agincourt Reefs (reef)
Agincourt Reefs (reef)
Alexandra Reefs (reef)
Atkinson Reef (reef)
Aylen Patch (reef)
Baines Patches (reef)
Baines Patches (reef)
Barracuda Pass (drift)
Bashful Bommie (reef)
Bashful Bommie (reef)
Batt Reef (reef)

Other Dive Centres in Great Barrier Reef

Best Time to Dive in Great Barrier Reef

The warmest water temperatures in Great Barrier Reef occur in February, averaging 29.5°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 25.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 29.4°C
February: 29.5°C
March: 29.2°C
April: 28.4°C
May: 26.9°C
June: 25.8°C
July: 25.1°C
August: 25.0°C
September: 25.4°C
October: 26.6°C
November: 27.7°C
December: 29.0°C

Marine Life in Great Barrier Reef

Home to 163 recorded species including 88 reef fish, 61 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 1 starfish, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Marine Life

thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) - Sharks & Rays
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
Cauliflower coral (Pocillopora damicornis) - Hard Corals
Lineated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Great Barrier Reef

Based on average water temperature of 27.3°C, currents 17 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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