Great Barrier Reef, Australia

    Ribbon Number Two Reef

    Best months: Feb–Mar

    Why dive here

    With 154+ marine species recorded in the area - including hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tiger sharks and napoleon wrasse - Ribbon Number Two Reef offers some of Great Barrier Reef's richest reef diving. Water ranges 24-30°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeFeb–Mar
    WetsuitNo wetsuit needed, or a rash guard
    Marine lifeHammerhead Sharks, Sea Turtles, Tiger Sharks and Napoleon Wrasse · 154+ species recorded
    Water24-30°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Ribbon Number Two, part of the legendary Ribbon Reefs, stands out for us, and not just because of the name. It’s got a real classic Great Barrier Reef feel, but with a few unique twists. We love dropping in on the outer edge, letting the gentle current carry us along the wall. The wall itself is incredible, a solid tapestry of Montipora and Table corals, with huge Staghorn formations dominating the shallower sections. You'll often find big schools of Yellow Spotted Trevally here, swirling like a silver tornado, and if you keep an eye out, the occasional Emperor or Golden Wrasse adds a splash of colour. The real draw, though, is the sheer density of coral. It’s not just big stuff; the intricate details of the Chinese Lettuce and Thin Birdsnest corals are fantastic. Visibility here is usually excellent, making it a dream for photographers. We'd suggest aiming for a mid-morning dive; the light hitting the reef at that time really makes the colours pop. It's a relaxed drift, perfect for anyone who wants to just soak in the scale and beauty of a healthy barrier reef.

    Safety Notes

    Strong currents typical this month (avg 30 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.

    Today05:5318:1512h 22m daylightGolden hour 17:47

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Ribbon Number Two Reef

    Ribbon Number Two Reef Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Ribbon Number Two Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-15.65, 145.72) (5km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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