Saxon Reef
Protected Area
Michaelmas and Upolu Cays
Why dive here
With 154+ marine species recorded in the area - including hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tiger sharks and napoleon wrasse - Saxon Reef offers some of Great Barrier Reef's richest reef diving. Water ranges 24-30°C, warmest January, February, March.
Saxon Reef is one of those spots we always point people towards when they ask about the Outer Reef. It’s got a real mix of topography, from gentle slopes to some dramatic drop-offs, keeping things interesting even on repeat dives. We’ve had some cracking drifts along its eastern edge, just soaring over huge gardens of staghorn coral, the light playing through the branches. Look closely in those areas for Greensnout Parrotfish munching away, their colours really pop against the blues. What we particularly love about Saxon is the consistent visibility, usually 20m plus, which makes spotting those cruising whitetip reef sharks much easier. Keep an eye out for Johnston Island Damsels darting around the brain corals; they're tiny but spirited. Our favourite time to hit Saxon is mid-morning, just as the sun is getting high, illuminating all those stony corals. It’s a cracker of a dive for anyone who appreciates healthy coral architecture and a good chance to spot some reef sharks.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 30 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Saxon Reef
Saxon Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Saxon 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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