Explore Norman Reef

Norman Reef, nestled within the vibrant Great Barrier Reef of Australia, offers an unparalleled diving experience that draws enthusiasts worldwide. Accessible via a scenic boat charter from Cairns, this dive site promises crystalline waters and a rich tapestry of marine life. Divers can explore shallow coral gardens teeming with colorful fish, intricate swim-throughs and caves, as well as dramatic walls and drop-offs that provide a sense of adventure and discovery.

One of the highlights of diving at Norman Reef is the opportunity to encounter an array of fascinating marine creatures. Sea turtles glide gracefully alongside divers, while blue-spotted rays and moray eels make their stealthy appearances. The reef’s vibrant ecosystem also includes giant clams, spangled emperors, red bass, and batfish. For those seeking a bit of exploration, a small wreck lies quietly, adding an element of the mysterious past to the underwater journey. Each dive reveals a unique facet of this diverse and dynamic seascape, making Norman Reef a must-visit destination for divers of all levels.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Fingers, Norman Reef

Perfect for beginners and advanced divers, Fingers is a shallow cove making it well protected from the elements. The reason the site is named fingers is from a Birdseye view it looks like the fingers of a hand, the fingers themselves sit to the South-West of the site and can get quite deep.

17,030
Logs
3,323
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Norman Reef - Playgrounds

On the southern part of Norman Reef, we have Playgrounds and Shark Mountain. Playgrounds for more beginner divers and Shark Mountain for a bit more advanced divers. Beautiful coral reef and bommies to explore.

9,375
Logs
2,896
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Troppos, Norman Reef

Sitting at the most Northern point of Norman Reef is the hidden gem Troppos. Troppos is Beginner friendly as it has a lovely shallow sandy lagoon with lots of nooks and crannies to explore, but also has a deep scenic reef wall with a sloping sandy bottom, perfect for any Advance diver wanting to gain some depth.

3,626
Logs
1,448
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Central, Breaking Patches

Offers a lovely shallow wall with picturesque beauty, making it an easy site to navigate. Shallow sand patches are perfect for skills and macro diving. The western wall does offer a little more depth but is also known to have some strong currents coming through.

1,632
Logs
729
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Split Bommie, Hastings Reef

The name of this site comes form its many bommies that exist away and split off from the reef. It is located at the southern end of Hastings Reef and offers shallow waters, ideal for snorkeling and beginner divers.

2,780
Logs
1,289
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Hastings Reef Blue Lagoon

Wall feature up to 20m deep, shallow on top. It has a sandy patch where you can see heaps of sea cucumbers. It is a really good site to find small and interesting things around.

784
Logs
405
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Hastings Reef - Coral Gardens

Large wall with different entries. One of them will lead you to the Coral Gardens where you can see stunning corals and Giant Clams. You also can find a couple of bommies where you will see the coral trees from Reef Restoration.

4,327
Logs
1,809
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Tree Peaks - Saxon Reef

Dive site for all different levels. It is call tree peak because an old tree underwater and corals had grown all over it. It is a beautiful place in the shallows with hips of colours to enjoy.

2,099
Logs
805
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Hastings Reef - Fish Bowl

Right at the edge of Hasting Reef, south part, Fishbowl has a nice coral wall that offers a variety of diving and snorkeling experiences. An abundance of fish at its shallowest is what gives it its name. Easy navigation with the wall makes it a great dive site for new and advanced divers.

664
Logs
442
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Evolution, Saxon Reef

This site is made up of a collection of coral bommies, where you can find many different features. It is a good dive for all the levels, being around the shallows will surprise you with the incredible marine life that you can find.

1,394
Logs
728
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Saxon Reef Magic Wall

Shallow wall, goes about 15m deep with scattered bommies in the deeper sand. Heaps of small caves that hides eels and octopus. Recommended from beginners to advanced divers.

1,391
Logs
812
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★★ Norman Wildside - Central

Wall feature dive that goes to 25m depth. Great place for macro photo. Really shallow on top of the reef were you can do your safety stop while looking for some Epaulette sharks.

436
Logs
186
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Norman Reef Pontoon

This site has a few beautiful bommies where you can find small caves. This is an easy and shallow dive for everyone. You also have the option to go into the reef that is full of marine life in the shallows.

412
Logs
283
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Table Top

Table Top is a huge, beautiful bommie situated on Norman Reef. This bommie is famous for its beautiful plate corals on the top and diversity of marine life. It is a deep dive normally with a current. On the top of the bommie the maximum depth is around 5 m.

369
Logs
240
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
13.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Norman Reef - Caves

Amazing dive site with heaps of swim through for experienced divers. Big drop off plenty of marine life. Full of shallow areas for beginner divers with little caves and holes around to explore.

2,682
Logs
1,172
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Norman Reef

Norman Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef, offers a diverse range of dive sites for enthusiasts. Among the top sites is "The Caves," known for its intricate swim-throughs and vibrant coral formations. Divers can explore these formations during both day and night dives, where they might encounter the fascinating behavior of nocturnal marine life. "Shark Mountain" is another popular site featuring thrilling encounters with various shark species and large schools of fish. For wreck dive enthusiasts, the "Norman Express" offers an exciting exploration opportunity, showcasing remnants of a past era teeming with marine life. Shore dives are limited but provide easy access for those preferring to stay close to the coast, while liveaboard options offer access to more remote areas of the reef, ensuring a balanced diving experience. Whether going for the vibrant coral gardens or the adrenaline-pumping wreck dives, Norman Reef promises unforgettable underwater adventures.

The best Months to dive in Norman Reef

Norman Reef offers diving conditions suitable for year-round exploration, with water temperatures ranging from 24°C–29°C/75°F–84°F. This ensures comfortable dives regardless of the season. Visibility remains consistently good, typically between 15 and 30 meters/49 and 98 feet, making it ideal for experiencing the vibrant marine life and coral formations.

While diving is possible throughout the year, the best conditions occur during the dry season from May to November, when calmer seas and lighter winds are prevalent. The wet season, from December to April, may bring stronger currents and increased winds, slightly reducing visibility. However, these factors rarely hinder diving opportunities, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy the reef no matter the time of year.

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