Meet the site
Circle of Life is a southern Ribbon Reef mooring shown on Mike Ball Dive Expeditions' Cod Hole–Ribbon Reefs itinerary map, grouped with Steve's Bommie, Flare Point, Blue Lagoon and Fish Market. Like several moorings on that map, it has no published site description in the operator's guides or the other sources consulted, so its depth, layout and highlights are not documented. It should not be confused with the Circle of Life Memorial Reef, an artificial memorial reef project elsewhere, which is unrelated.
The name hints at a ring-shaped reef or bommie cluster, or perhaps a site where a full cross-section of reef life can be seen in one dive. On the southern Ribbons, reef types range from shallow Acropora gardens (Flare Point, Summer Bay) to isolated pinnacles with schooling fish (Steve's Bommie, Temple of Doom), so the site could be either. Divers can expect the general fauna of the area: anthias and chromis over the coral, fusiliers, snapper and trevally, sweetlips and groupers, whitetip reef sharks, turtles, cuttlefish and a good range of nudibranchs and small crustaceans.
Conditions match the rest of the southern Ribbons, with 15–30 m visibility, mostly gentle currents on the lagoon side, and dwarf minke whales around Ribbon Reef No. 3 in June and July.
This record is provisional. Ask the cruise director for the route and depth if it appears on the day's plan, and update the entry when better information is available. For planning purposes, treat it as an occasional alternative mooring rather than a headline site, and keep the usual margins on depth and gas until the profile is known.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Circle of Life is recorded as Reef 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.
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 Circle of Life suitable for my certification?
The record lists 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 Circle of Life 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
Expected southern Ribbon Reef fauna: anthias, chromis, fusiliers, snapper, trevally, sweetlips, groupers, whitetip reef sharks, turtles, cuttlefish, nudibranchs
Location
A named Mike Ball mooring on the southern Ribbon Reefs, shown on its itinerary map near Blue Lagoon and Fish Market; 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
mikeball.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.