Clam Gardens
Clam Gardens lies in the gap between Ribbon Reefs No. 4 and 5 (called Ribbon Reef 4 1/2), about 125 km north-north-east of Port Douglas. The reef drops from about 5 m to 40 m or more on a gradual sandy slope with small coral bommies from 35 m up to the reef edge. Boats attach a temporary mooring to dead coral at 5 m; divers drop to about 30 m and work shallower into the current, passing giant clams (some over a metre), Moorish idols and a few whitetip reef sharks. The position in the source is written in an irregular format, so the coordinate is approximate. Located in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park: Green (no-take) zones allow diving without a permit, but fishing and collecting are prohibited; tourism operators hold the park permits and the environmental management charge is passed on through the operator. Check the current zoning map before any non-operator visit.
Facts
- Region: Great Barrier Reef North
- Area: Southern Ribbon Reefs
- Depth: 5–40 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef, wall, drift
- Coordinates: -15.3971, 145.763 (approximate)
- Highlights: giant clams, whitetip reef sharks, Moorish idols, small bommies
- Tips: No permanent mooring; dive with the current and turn back around the 15-minute mark.