Rolly’s Reef
Protected Area
Kia
Why dive here
With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Rolly’s Reef offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.
Rolly’s Reef is about a twenty-minute boat ride west of Papatura, a good option if you’re staying up that way. It’s an overhanging wall, and we always find it’s easier to just drift along with the current, whichever way it’s running. Go in the morning if you can, the sun really lights up the reef then, otherwise, it can be a bit shady later in the day. You’ll see plenty of the larger reef fish here, think Red Bass and Coral Trout, even some curious reef sharks occasionally. There are a few nice swim-throughs too. Max depth is 24m, and on an average day, visibility runs around 9m. Just keep an eye on the wind, it can kick up a bit of swell if it’s blowing in the wrong direction.
Typical Rolly’s Reef Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Rolly’s Reef
Rolly’s Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Rolly’s Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-9.03, 159.16) (58km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–30.5°C
Air Temperature
27°C
80°F
Wind Speed
3.74 m/s
7.3 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.5 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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