Ribbon Number Two Reef
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.
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.
Reviews for Ribbon Number Two Reef
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)
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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