Liveaboard Diving in Ribbon Reef

What To Expect On A Ribbon Reefs Liveaboard

Liveaboards to Ribbon Reefs will visit this famous chain of ten spectacular reefs in an isolated part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They are located north of Cairns and form a 120-kilometer string of turquoise water and coral, which can only be explored properly by a liveaboard cruise to Ribbon Reefs. Lying on the outer edges of the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 50 - 100 kilometers from the Queensland shore in the Coral Sea, the reefs here thankfully have very little human contact, which has ensured that they can support an outstanding range of biodiversity and marine life for divers and snorkelers.

There are dozens of unique dive sites within the Ribbon Reefs, and as a result will be sure to please every level of diver, from the curious novice open-water diver to the keenest underwater photographers. Your Australian liveaboard trip will likely be in this area for at least a few days, allowing you to jump into many of the different sites on offer, where you'll be sure to witness as many of the GBR's 1500 fish and 400 coral species as possible. Much of this life will be encountered in warm shallow waters, and in fact, you'll rarely be diving deeper than 20 meters, which means more time underwater! Needless to say, the visibility is great all year round.

What You Can See

The abundance of life and diversity at Ribbon Reefs does mean that there is something for everyone. You can find it here whether your interest lies with fancy corals, large fish, or macro life. Divers regularly come across sharks and rays at Steve's Bommie (ask your guide how this name came about!) while gliding in between schooling Trevally and Barracuda. In the Australian winter, it's not uncommon to see some beautiful dwarf minke whales here, and depending on your choice of liveaboard dive cruise itinerary, it may be possible to participate in the monitoring and research associated with these wonderful mammals.

Divers move on to wonder at the array of hard corals at Acropolis, frequented by uncountable amounts of small fish - which, as ever, will attract their large, graceful, awe-inspiring predators.

A liveaboard trip here will enable you to view the beautiful olive sea snake, only found in a handful of places along the GBR. Aptly named Snake Pit is where divers can see these curious creatures - don't worry if they come close for a look - make sure you have your camera!

Every liveaboard diving cruise visiting this area of the Coral Sea will stop at the famous Cod Hole, where the resident family of massive Potato Cod will bring a smile to every group member, especially when they are happy to pose for a photograph as well!

Getting To Ribbon Reef

The reefs here are located a long way from the coast of Queensland, far beyond the reach of any day trip. Therefore, the best way to experience what this stunning area of the Coral Sea has to offer is by liveaboard from Cairns. Liveaboard.com has several boats and operators to choose from, each with a specific itinerary lasting a comfortable 3 - 7 days.

Cairns is situated in the northeast corner of Queensland and is the most common port for departing Australian liveaboard diving cruises to the Great Barrier Reef. The airport is well-connected internationally, offering direct flights to and from overseas. If diving the GBR forms the only part of your Australian holiday, you'll likely be able to fly directly into Cairns, although if not, there are regular daily flights from the likes of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

Most liveaboard operators will offer a complimentary pick-up service from your accommodation and often drop you off afterward.


Ribbon Reef Diving Reviews

  • 9.4 Superb
  • 128 Verified Reviews
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • sheryl R
  • United States United States

Fun Ribbon number three our last dive was beautiful and colorful wonderful hard coral

Diving Ribbon Reef in November on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Danny B
  • United States United States

I enjoyed Ribbon Reef but in the future would probably go on a live aboard that goes to some of the outer reefs. I understand that being onboard for just 3 days limits the amount of areas you can go to in that time frame.

Diving Ribbon Reef in January on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Preston H
  • United States United States

We dove Norman and Saxon reefs.

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Ocean Quest

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Michael S
  • United States United States

Two sites like Steve Bommie and light house Bommie were fantastic.

Diving Ribbon Reef in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Sherry W
  • United States United States

First time I've seen sea snakes.

Diving Ribbon Reef in June on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Elizabeth S
  • United States United States

So educational and filled with a variety of everything. I really liked each spot had its own ecosystem.

Diving Ribbon Reef in July on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Phillip M
  • United States United States

Uniformly excellent. We enjoyed all of the sites visited, though the most outstanding were the Snake Pit and Steve's Bommie.

Diving Ribbon Reef in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Albert T
  • United States United States

Ribbon Reef was amazing particularly the night dives...watching the hunting Sharks and Trevalies

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Vernon J
  • United States United States

The first day the visibility was only about 30 feet but it improved. You can not control the sea.

Diving Ribbon Reef in November on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Russell H
  • United States United States

All of the sites we stopped at were unique and was great to experience.

Diving Ribbon Reef in November on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Faith R
  • United States United States

Ribbon Reef was gorgeous. I loved the variety of the dives and the pinnacles in particular.

Diving Ribbon Reef in January on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Steven W
  • United States United States

Above average. Very nice dive sites.

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Zachary R
  • United States United States

We had perfect weather so it was such a great experience to see so much fish diversity at so many different sites. I was also surprised as to how each site featured different groups of fish rather than constantly seeing the same thing over and over again.

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Darrell S
  • United States United States

It was fabulous and the colors were amazing.

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Roy H
  • United States United States

Awesome and exciting. I have learned so much from each dive. The water was calm, warm, and clear. A multitude of things to see.

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Denise B
  • United States United States

Most sites were good, easy enough to navigate first time in and plenty of life to see.

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Clarissa Y
  • United States United States

These were beautiful dive areas.

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jessica S
  • United States United States

Beautiful coral, Diverse Fish, lots of marine life

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Alex T
  • United States United States

cloudy visibility but amazing diversity of life

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ashley H
  • United States United States

We dove Saxon Reef and it was great!

Diving Ribbon Reef in April on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Dave B
  • United States United States

Great. Lots of small life and periodic sightings of larger life too.

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Eric L
  • United States United States

The Ribbon Reef was awesome. The dive guides were able to point out some of the best subjects for photography and video.

Diving Ribbon Reef in June on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Joel H
  • United States United States

Wonderful views and wildlife

Diving Ribbon Reef in July on the Ocean Quest

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Gwendalyn P
  • United States United States

We enjoyed all the reefs. Each had its own personality. Things to see and experience.

Diving Ribbon Reef in August on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Art S
  • United States United States

Incredible wildlife- sharks, turtles, and countless varieties of fish and coral.

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Ocean Quest

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Rachel C
  • United States United States

Great animals and visibility

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jayne S
  • United States United States

Very good. Lot's of small fishes, some turtles. Visibility was great. Night dive spectacular-although the boat lights should be off after the divers are out of the water.

Diving Ribbon Reef in November on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Anne D
  • United States United States

We never encountered any other divers. The crew adjusted the dives to give us the best possible experience.

Diving Ribbon Reef in December on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jillian L
  • United States United States

The coral cover in the coral gardens was just incredible

Diving Ribbon Reef in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kendra R
  • United States United States

Wonderful! Loved the ribbons. Beautiful coral.

Diving Ribbon Reef in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Robert B
  • United States United States

It was awesome, but recommend using a guide. Navigation was a little confusing without a compass.

Diving Ribbon Reef in December on the Ocean Quest

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Sabrina H
  • United States United States

Very beautiful but some challenge with current, some coral destruction!

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Diana M
  • United States United States

Also spectacular. It was especially rewarding to experience the rebirth of the areas that had been devastated by either storms or the crown of thorns starfish. Coral gardens that demonstrate one of the main reasons to scuba dive!

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Steven E
  • United States United States

Ribbon reef offered a variety of marine life. Steve’s bommie was a highlight

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Nicholas W
  • United States United States

Ribbon reefs had excellent coral, tons of reef life, and also some Pelagius. Covered every base, and the visibility got quite clear (~ 40 meters)

Diving Ribbon Reef in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Dennis T
  • United States United States

Visibility was a little less but still good. Coral was beautiful.

Diving Ribbon Reef in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tristan C
  • United States United States

BEAUTIFUL! Amazing to see the reef in such health!

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christopher C
  • United States United States

Each Ribbon site has its special attractions. They are varied enough to all be interesting and loaded with things to see.

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Carsten A
  • United States United States

very nice! lots of colorful coral, so many beautiful fish

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Roger V
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Ribbon Reefs are beautiful, especially Steve's Bommie and Pixie Pinnacle

Diving Ribbon Reef in July on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Keryn A
  • Australia Australia

Stunning. I would love to be able to say the names of all the beautiful sea life that I saw, but I am only new to diving and not very knowledgeable in that area. All I can see is that it was stunningly beautiful.

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Bruno P
  • Portugal Portugal

Like swimming in an aquarium!

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Michael B
  • New Zealand New Zealand

Fantastic diversity of fish and plants. Someone forgot to tell the turtles to find us!

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Anna M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

It was lass colourful than I had expected bit everything that was full of colour was a joy to see.

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Myriam G
  • Switzerland Switzerland

all very nice. Top reef and very nice underwater experience.

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spoilsport

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Dan P
  • Australia Australia

Ribbon reef was spoilt with marine life and the reef was thriving

Diving Ribbon Reef in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ben L
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great, warm 30°c water means you only need to wear t-shirt and shorts, no need for a wet suit if you don't want to wear them. At all dive sites, we were the only dive group and the vast majority of the time you and your buddy do not bump into anyone else during the dives.

Diving Ribbon Reef in January on the Spoilsport

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Raian D
  • Italy Italy

Beautiful sites, lots of fish life.

Diving Ribbon Reef in January on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Francesco T
  • Philippines Philippines

very good marine life but poor visibility

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Peter B
  • Germany Germany

Perfect. No damages and some of the diving spots did not see a diver for more than 2 years

Diving Ribbon Reef in June on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Duncan H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Excellent, the Bommies were really interesting. The coral looked healthy

Diving Ribbon Reef in June on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ailin K
  • Taiwan Taiwan

I enjoyed the easy pinnacle diving. Easy and pretty.

Diving Ribbon Reef in July on the Ocean Quest

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jun G
  • China China

Amazing diving, great underwater sceneries, biosphere and visibility

Diving Ribbon Reef in July on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Terence K
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

V pretty, many nudibranchs

Diving Ribbon Reef in August on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Rick M
  • Canada Canada

We saw some fantastic turtles and Steve’s Brommie was the best because of all the Steve’s we had on board 😂😉I loved the orangutan crab and of course Nemo. Then the Huge Bull shark came to see me,somewhat scary but so cool at the same time😎

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jun C
  • China China

Good, coral health varries at locations, but lots of fish life

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Shawn L
  • South Korea South Korea

Generally great experience. The farther to the North (Ribbon Reef 9-10), the better overall experience with more corals and more diverse marine life.

Diving Ribbon Reef in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Auguste H
  • France France

It was nice, and a good starting point. The night dive was also particularly interesting.

Diving Ribbon Reef in August on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Catherine A
  • Canada Canada

Good, Steve's Boomie was the highlight

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Kerri H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Wondeful to see so much of the reef in good health.

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Barry P
  • Canada Canada

Turbulent seas but fantastic dive memories, sea life not impacted by surface waves:)

Diving Ribbon Reef in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Michelle K
  • Netherlands Netherlands

So many things to see, just beautiful

Diving Ribbon Reef in June on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Kathryn C
  • New Zealand New Zealand

Beautiful pinnacles with huge coral formations and colourful reef fish

Diving Ribbon Reef in July on the Spoilsport

  • 7.6 Good
  • Anna S
  • Russia Russia

Nice shallow playgrounds for all to enjoy

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 7.6 Good
  • Anna S
  • Russia Russia

Very good. Stone fish, cuttle fish, wobbegong, whitetip reef sharks, scorpion fish... just to name a few.

Diving Ribbon Reef in September on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Amy M
  • Australia Australia

Great variety of aquatic life

Diving Ribbon Reef in January on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Francis R
  • Belgium Belgium

Perfect spots, great sea life,

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ellie D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Stunning (we had fantastic conditions) with beautiful pinnacles and coral walls.

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jennifer V
  • Canada Canada

Great. Lots of Great Coral and marine life.

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Matthew H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Good. Lovely coral gardens with huge shoals of fish. Great night dive.

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Amie J
  • Australia Australia

Amazing coral and lots to see

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Allison S
  • Australia Australia

Ribbon Reef was pretty good, but we were diving this after the Coral Sea - so a little skewed :)

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spoilsport

  • 7.2 Good
  • Chris B
  • Australia Australia

Ok. Viz at 7am was cloudy with low sun. Bleaching was not evident to me, I spent considerable time in the shallows studying stag and plate corals. All in good condition, plenty if colour. Bring a torch for cloudy days.

Diving Ribbon Reef in June on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Gary V
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

It didn't quite live up to my expectations but on the whole it was rather excellent.

Diving Ribbon Reef in December on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.2 Superb
  • William S
  • Canada Canada

Lots of healthy coral which made me happy

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spoilsport

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Pieter S
  • South Africa South Africa

Diving varies from great to average due to visibility issues.

Diving Ribbon Reef in March on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Simon F
  • Canada Canada

Ribbon reef was 10/10 sharks rays eels. Even the whole cast of nemo came to say hello.

Diving Ribbon Reef in April on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • heike F
  • Germany Germany

promised shark sighting and turtle was the encore, drift diving from the tender was perfect

Diving Ribbon Reef in May on the Spirit of Freedom

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kieran V
  • Australia Australia

Beautiful reefs with a good variety of sites.

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • David F
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

I lovely coral also plenty of cuttlefish

Diving Ribbon Reef in October on the Spoilsport

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jacqueline C
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Good, but not great viz in February.

Diving Ribbon Reef in February on the Spirit of Freedom