Meet the site
Cod Spot is the headline dive of the Muiron Islands and is often called the most impressive dive near Exmouth. It lies about 100 m off South Muiron, a limestone reef of ledges, overhangs and bommies on a sandy floor at roughly 14–20 m, and it takes its name from the giant potato cod that live there. These metre-plus groupers approach divers closely and are the site's signature encounter.
The reef is also a manta cleaning station. Reef manta rays come in to hover over coral heads while cleaner wrasse pick them over, and patient divers who stay low and still can watch them circle for long periods. Winter and spring are the most reliable months for mantas around the Muirons. Beyond the headline animals the reef hosts clouds of golden cardinalfish in the overhangs, emperor, batfish, catfish, reef sharks, cleaner shrimp, nudibranchs, and green and hawksbill turtles resting under coral.
The Muirons sit in a World Heritage marine management area and before 2025 were known for dense hard and soft coral, gorgonians and sponges. The 2024–25 marine heatwave hit the northern Ningaloo region hard, and Dive Ningaloo paused all Muiron diving from August 2025 to reduce pressure on the reef. Some other operators continue to run Muiron trips when the weather allows; expect bleached or dead hard coral while the fish and big animals remain.
Cod Spot suits Open Water divers comfortable with a boat dive and some current. Visibility averages 5–20 m and is at its worst around the autumn coral spawn and plankton blooms, which are also what bring mantas and whale sharks into the area.
What you might see
Giant potato cod, reef manta rays (cleaning station), golden cardinalfish, emperor, batfish, catfish, whitetip and grey reef sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, cleaner shrimp, nudibranchs, soft corals and sponges; dolphins and humpback whales in season
Location
Limestone reef about 100 m off South Muiron Island, the best known of the Muiron dive sites, with resident potato cod and a manta cleaning station.
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Exmouth Marina (toilets, fuel, parking) or Bundegi ramp; air fills in Exmouth.
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
australiascoralcoast.comdiveningaloo.com.auaussiemarineadventures.com.ausaltandcharcoal.cotravel2next.comexploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.