Meet the site
Cigar Reef is one of the stranger sites in the marinelife.org.au Rottnest guide: a reef that rises to about 15 m from a 26 m sandy bottom and is described as a good place to find odd creatures. The guide also warns that it is an area of odd currents with variable visibility, cold currents even in summer and strange thermoclines. Those conditions probably explain both the unusual life and the site's low profile - it is not a charter site and very little else has been written about it.
The mixing of water masses around the north-west of Rottnest, where the warm Leeuwin Current meets cooler inshore and upwelled water, can bring species that are not seen on the sheltered reefs, and the sand around the base is worth searching for rays, flathead and other bottom dwellers. The reef itself supports the usual limestone-reef fish and sponges.
The guide lists the same GPS coordinates as North Point Hole, which is probably a transcription error, so the position here is left blank; confirm it with local divers before planning. The site suits experienced divers with their own boat who enjoy exploratory diving and can cope with thermoclines and changing current. Carry a thicker suit or hood than the surface temperature suggests, and plan conservatively for 26 m on air.
For most visitors it is a curiosity rather than a destination, but for macro enthusiasts willing to put in the effort, the unusual finds are the attraction. A torch is useful even in daylight.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cigar Reef is recorded as Reef in Rottnest Island. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- 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 Cigar Reef 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 Cigar Reef 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
Unusual and out-of-range species reported; sponges, reef fish, rays and flathead on the sand
Location
Reef rising to about 15 m from a 26 m sandy bottom off the north-west of Rottnest, known for odd currents, thermoclines and unusual creatures.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.