Meet the site
Cracker Jack is a small, deep pinnacle near Ribbon Reef No. 5 that rises from about 40 m, with vertical walls covered in soft corals, black coral trees and purple elephant-ear sponges. Mike Ball's crew usually run it as the first dive of the day, when divers are fresh and can handle the depth, and the photographers' guide warns that the lighting is darker than on most Ribbon Reef sites.
The walls are the main attraction. Soft corals in purples and oranges hang from every surface, the elephant-ear sponges are large and photogenic, and black coral trees grow on the deeper flanks. The top of the pinnacle sits at about 10 m, so there is no shallow reef to linger on; this is a dive for moving slowly up the walls.
In late summer dense aggregations of glassfish crowd the pinnacle, drawing in big-eye trevally and fusiliers that sweep through the clouds. Purple and orange anthias are always present. Leafy scorpionfish and coral cods sit on the walls, and pygmy seahorses live on fans below 24 m. Macro subjects include mantis shrimp, cleaner shrimp and nudibranchs.
Cracker Jack appears on Mike Ball's Ribbon Reef and Far Northern Reefs itineraries. It suits advanced divers comfortable with depth, lower light and an open-water ascent, and photographers who want soft-coral wide-angle or deep macro. A torch helps to bring out the colours of the soft corals and sponges, which look muted without artificial light at depth. Nitrox extends the useful time on the deeper walls, and conservative planning is wise because the rest of the day's dives follow.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Cracker Jack is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 Cracker Jack suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Cracker Jack 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
Soft corals, black coral trees, purple elephant-ear sponges, glassfish (late summer), big-eye trevally, fusiliers, purple and orange anthias, leafy scorpionfish, coral cods, pygmy seahorses (24 m+), mantis shrimp, cleaner shrimp, nudibranchs
Location
A small, deep pinnacle with vertical walls rising from about 40 m near Ribbon Reef No. 5.
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.commikeball.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.