Steve's Bommie
Steve's Bommie sits just inside the entrance between Ribbon Reefs No. 2 and 3, on the Ribbon Reef 3 side, about 117 km north-north-east of Port Douglas. The bommie is about 10 m square on top and 60 m square at the base, and a circuit round the base takes about 20 minutes. Sand at about 30 m (to 35 m further out) surrounds it, with hard and soft corals, gorgonians and sea whips, plus clown and titan triggerfish, whitetip reef sharks and large rays over the sand. The mooring is on the shallow northern side. McFadyen notes it was reportedly once called Temple of Doom and was renamed after a divemaster who died in a snorkelling accident. 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: 5–35 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: low
- Type: reef, pinnacle
- Coordinates: -15.5017, 145.7879
- Highlights: bommie 10x10 m top, gorgonias, clown triggerfish, titan triggerfish, whitetip reef sharks
- Tips: Start at 27 to 30 m and rise gradually; watch gas and no-decompression time on the deep start.