

Best for advanced divers, 25-400m, boat entry, mild current.
Dart Reef is a remote oceanic wall site in the Coral Sea, featuring a dramatic drop-off that begins at 25 metres and extends to depths exceeding 400 metres. This site is strictly for advanced divers due to the significant decompression obligations and deep-water environment. Visibility is exceptional, ranging from 30 to 100 metres. While currents are generally mild, they can shift, and divers must manage risks including nitrogen narcosis and decompression. Access is exclusively by boat, located 110 kilometres from the shore. Divers should carry a surface marker buoy and redundant dive computers to navigate the challenging conditions of this deep-water reef.
-17.41667, 148.18333
September through January brings the most reliable visibility and the best chance of hammerhead and manta ray encounters, so plan your trip accordingly. Always dive Dart Reef with a surface marker buoy and a redundant dive computer given the decompression obligations at depth.
Access to Dart Reef is only possible via liveaboard vessel from ports in Queensland such as Cairns. It is a remote oceanic reef system far from the mainland.
Expected in this region. No sightings logged here yet.
Depth
25-400m
Visibility
30-100m
Skill Level
Advanced
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
22-26°C
Current
Mild
Best Time
Jan, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
The wall at Dart Reef begins at 25 metres and plunges to depths beyond 400 metres.
No, Dart Reef is intended for advanced divers only due to its extreme depth and decompression requirements.
Dart Reef is a remote site located 110 kilometres from the shore and requires boat access.
The best months to dive Dart Reef are September, October, November, December, and January.
Diving at Dart Reef in Coral Sea Reefs requires the following certifications: Advanced, Deep. Always dive within your training limits.
A 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at Dart Reef in Coral Sea Reefs. Water temperatures range from 22°C to 26°C.
The best months to visit Dart Reef in Coral Sea Reefs are September, October, November, December, and January. Conditions outside these months can still be good but are less predictable.
Dart Reef in Coral Sea Reefs typically has mild currents that most divers can handle comfortably.
Visibility at Dart Reef in Coral Sea Reefs typically ranges from 30 metres to 100 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.