

Christmas Tree Bommie is a Queensland boat dive that rewards intermediate divers willing to work with variable visibility and moderate currents. The site runs from 8 metres down to 35 metres, putting the deeper sections firmly into decompression-aware territory, so plan your bottom time accordingly. Crinoids are a defining feature here, and the site's name likely reflects their feathery, branching presence across the structure. Keep an eye out for cuttlefish and schools of yellowback fusilier in the water column, and slow your pace on the reef itself where yellow leaf scorpionfish and lionfish both blend into the background with uncomfortable effectiveness. September through November offer the most reliable conditions.
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Visibility can shift quickly here, so if conditions look poor at depth on your descent, it's worth pausing to reassess rather than pressing on. Brief yourself on lionfish and yellow leaf scorpionfish before entry, as both are easy to miss and easy to touch by accident.
The site is located on the remote Ribbon Reefs and is accessible only via liveaboard dive boats, typically departing from Cairns or Port Douglas.
General hazards for the Great Barrier Reef apply.
Depth
8-35m
Visibility
15-30m
Skill Level
Intermediate
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
27-29°C
Current
Moderate
Typical Dive
50 min
Best Time
Sep, Oct, Nov
Yes, Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas is a boat-access-only dive site. You will need to book with a local dive operator or charter a boat to reach it.
Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas is best suited for divers with some experience. You should be comfortable with your buoyancy and have logged at least 10 to 20 dives.
Diving at Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas requires the following certifications: Open Water, Advanced. Always dive within your training limits.
A rashguard or 2mm shorty is recommended for diving at Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas. Water temperatures range from 27°C to 29°C.
Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas is home to yellowback fusilier, cuttlefish, yellow leaf scorpionfish, and crinoids. Marine life sightings vary by season and conditions.
The best months to visit Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas are September, October, and November. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas has depths ranging from 8 metres to 35 metres.
A typical dive at Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas lasts approximately 50 minutes. Actual dive time depends on depth, air consumption, and conditions.
Yes, night diving is available at Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas. Night dives often reveal different marine life including nocturnal creatures. Always dive with proper lighting and a buddy.
Expect moderate currents at Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas. Good buoyancy control and some drift diving experience is helpful.
Visibility at Christmas Tree Bommie in Port Douglas typically ranges from 15 metres to 30 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.