Meet the site
Andy's Postcard is a pinnacle on Ribbon Reef No. 5. Morris Nautical, which runs a Ribbon Reef itinerary, describes it as a pinnacle featuring hard corals, lionfish, nudibranchs, octopus and schooling trevally and barracuda. It is listed on Mike Ball Dive Expeditions' Cod Hole–Ribbon Reefs itinerary map among the southern Ribbon Reef sites with Clam Beds, Steve's Bommie and Flare Point, and a ScubaBoard trip report from the Nimrod Explorer liveaboard mentions it as a pinnacle-style dive with diverse marine life.
The name suggests a picture-perfect scene, and the pinnacle format matches other celebrated sites on the Ribbons such as Steve's Bommie and Pixie Pinnacle: a coral column rising from sand, with hard corals on the top, overhangs and crevices on the flanks, and schooling fish circling in the blue. Trevally and barracuda schools provide the action, while lionfish and octopus are among the resident critters. Nudibranchs are common on the coral.
Published details are thin. The site does not have its own page in the Mike Ball or Spirit of Freedom guides, and depths here are estimates based on comparable Ribbon Reef pinnacles. Expect the usual southern Ribbons fauna: anemonefish, fusiliers, sweetlips, whitetip reef sharks, turtles and, in June and July, the chance of dwarf minke whales, which are regularly encountered around Ribbon Reef No. 3 nearby.
It suits intermediate divers comfortable ascending in open water. Anyone booking a southern Ribbons itinerary can ask whether it is on the plan. It deserves a better write-up than currently exists, and divers who log it can help by recording depths and highlights.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Andy's Postcard is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Ribbon Reefs & Lizard Island. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Andy's Postcard suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Andy's Postcard through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Hard corals, lionfish, nudibranchs, octopus, schooling trevally and barracuda, anemonefish, fusiliers, sweetlips, whitetip reef sharks, turtles
Location
A coral pinnacle on Ribbon Reef No. 5, listed on Mike Ball's itinerary map among the southern Ribbon Reef sites.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
morrisnautical.aumikeball.comscubaboard.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.