Meet the site
Clipper and Super Cat are two adjoining moorings on Saxon Reef, and Divers Den notes that its divers navigate the reef wall and offshore bommies here. The name is shared with a pair of moorings on Norman Reef, which confuses some visitors; the two are separate sites on different reefs, and the names presumably date from boats that once used them. At Saxon the site is known for its fish: Divers Den describes different types of anemonefish and a large school of diagonal-banded sweetlips, a friendly green sea turtle that lives on the reef, and the notorious titan triggerfish. Titans are large, territorial triggerfish that defend their nests aggressively during the breeding season, charging and occasionally biting divers who swim over the nest, so the guide will point out where it lives and divers should swim away horizontally rather than up if challenged. Bottlenose dolphins occasionally appear in the colder months. The wall is covered in hard and soft corals, and the offshore bommies provide shelter for the sweetlips school and for coral trout, cod and moray eels. Depths are moderate and the conditions usually calm, so it suits Open Water divers, and snorkellers can see the top of the wall and the turtle. The combination of a reliable sweetlips school, a resident turtle and the chance of dolphins makes it one of the more consistently rewarding Saxon moorings. It is often combined with Twin Peaks or Sandra's on the same day. Visibility is typically 12-20 m, and the sweetlips are usually easiest to find sheltering on the down-current side of the 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.
Clipper & Super Cat (Saxon Reef) is recorded as Wall in Cairns. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Clipper & Super Cat (Saxon 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 Clipper & Super Cat (Saxon 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
Diagonal-banded sweetlips (school), anemonefish (several species), resident green turtle, titan triggerfish, bottlenose dolphins (winter, occasional), coral trout, cod, moray eels
Location
Pair of neighbouring moorings on Saxon Reef, about 55 km north-east of Cairns, along the reef wall with offshore bommies.
Facilities nearby
Departs Reef Fleet Terminal / Marlin Marina, Cairns: toilets, cafes, paid parking; dive gear, tanks and lunch supplied on board
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
diversden.com.auaustraliantraveller.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.