Mantis Reef
Protected Area
Mitirinchi Island
Why dive here
With 154+ marine species recorded in the area - including hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tiger sharks and napoleon wrasse - Mantis Reef offers some of Great Barrier Reef's richest reef diving. Water ranges 24-30°C, warmest January, February, March.
Mantis Reef offers a classic Outer Reef experience, with a focus on substantial coral formations. You'll find plenty of hard corals here, creating a labyrinth of swim-throughs and overhangs to explore. It's a solid choice for divers who appreciate reef structure over specific pelagic encounters, and it generally provides a relaxed drift along the main wall. We think it's a good introduction to the sheer scale of the Great Barrier Reef.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 30 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Reviews for Mantis Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Mantis Reef
Mantis Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Mantis Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-15.65, 145.72) (5km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
26°C
80°F · Range: 24.5–29°C
Current Speed
30.07 cm/s
Direction: S (183.8°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.057 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
35.08 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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