Critters and Creatures
Below is a guide to some of the animals we find on our dive sites.
In general, Osprey Reef is best for pelagics, sharks, manta rays and other big fish, whilst the Ribbon Reefs contain a diverse array of macro critters such as nudibranchs, scorpionfish, pipefish, seahorses, turtles and snakes.
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- A tiny Pygmy Seahorse hides on a fan on the Ribbon Reefs
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- Pipefish. Found on the Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef (Photo by: Stephen Colquitt)
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- Sharks cruise the walls at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. (Photo by: Troy Mayne)
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- Gobies hover close to burrows in the sand. Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef (Photo by: Todd Winner)
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- Ornate Ghost Pipefish. Breeding is in April / May. Ribbon Reefs (Photo by: David Tinson)
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- Halimeda Ghost Pipefish. Well-camouflaged and hard to spot. Ribbon Reefs (Occasional)
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- Both scalloped and great hammerheads – occasionally seen at Osprey.
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- Leaf Scorpionfish. Ribbon Reefs
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- Scorpionfish are well-camouflaged amongst coral rubble. Ribbon Reefs.
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- Listed as endangered. Ribbon Reefs
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- Manta Rays at Osprey Reef
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- Dwarf Minke Whales migrate along the Great Barrier Reef over winter. Ribbon Reefs. (Common Jun-Jul)
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- Curious and friendly olive sea snakes are fairly easy to find at Lighthouse Bommieon the Ribbon Reefs.
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- Well-camouflaged and ornate. On various forms of soft coral Ribbon Reefs.
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- Drifts with weed on sandy bottoms. Ribbon Reefs
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- Lacy Scorpionfish, beautiful but hard to find! Ribbon Reef and Osprey Reef
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- Plenty of turtles on the Ribbon Reefs.
