Meet the site
Big Softy takes its name from the large soft corals that cover its wall, and it is one of the drift sites in the Lizard Island Resort outer-reef rotation. The resort describes a wall drift with varied reef topography between 10 and 30 m, with tropical reef fish, grey and blacktip reef sharks and seasonal manta rays.
The wall is sheer in places and broken by cracks, crevices and small ledges that are worth inspecting as the current carries you past. Soft coral trees in shades of pink, purple and cream grow out from the face where the water flow is best, along with sea whips and gorgonians. Above the wall the reef top supports hard coral and schools of small reef fish.
Because it is dived with the tide, Big Softy is an easy way to cover distance, and the combination of soft coral and pelagic traffic makes it a good wide-angle dive. Grey reef sharks cruise the drop-off, blacktips patrol the shallows, and in the cooler months manta rays sometimes pass along the wall. Expect fusiliers, surgeonfish, triggerfish, parrotfish and trevally.
Information on the site is limited to the resort's description, and its exact position is not published. It suits divers with some drift experience who are comfortable ascending under an SMB away from a mooring line, and the crew will usually brief a specific entry point and direction depending on the tide. For divers staying at Lizard Island it adds a wall and soft-coral dive to a program otherwise built around the Cod Hole and nearby bommies.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Big Softy is recorded as Wall 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Big Softy 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 Big Softy 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
Grey and blacktip reef sharks, manta rays (seasonal), fusiliers, surgeonfish, triggerfish, trevally, parrotfish; large soft corals, sea whips, gorgonians
Location
Outer reef wall north-east of Lizard Island near the northern end of the Ribbon Reefs; exact position not published.
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
lizardisland.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.