Meet the site
First Bommie is a Silverswift site in a protected lagoon on Norman Reef. Silverseries describes a coral garden and a separate, deeper coral bommie outcrop with swim-throughs, depths of 1-15 m and visibility of 10-15 m, and a long list of residents: anemonefish, angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, rabbitfish and damselfish; bottom-dwelling species; giant clams, sea cucumbers and stingrays; and sea turtles, cod, coral trout and sweetlips. It is essentially two dives in one. The coral garden is very shallow, in places only a metre deep, and ideal for snorkellers and introductory divers; the light is strong, the coral colourful and the fish abundant. The bommie outcrop, a short swim away, rises from slightly deeper water and is pierced by swim-throughs, giving certified divers some structure and depth. Stingrays rest on the sand around the outcrop and turtles are regularly seen, while cod, coral trout and sweetlips shelter under the bommie's overhangs. Giant clams and sea cucumbers dot the lagoon floor. Because it is in a lagoon, the water is calm and there is little current, which makes the site particularly suitable for new divers, families and people doing their first reef dive; the trade-off is somewhat lower visibility than on Norman's outer walls. For experienced divers it is a relaxed site, good for photography in the shallows and for a gentle end to a day that has included deeper dives elsewhere on the reef. The lagoon is at its best around high tide, when the coral garden has enough water over it for snorkellers to float comfortably above the coral without risk of touching it.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
First Bommie (Norman Reef) is recorded as Reef 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 First Bommie (Norman Reef) 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 First Bommie (Norman 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
Anemonefish, angelfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, rabbitfish, damselfish, giant clams, sea cucumbers, stingrays, sea turtles, cod, coral trout, sweetlips
Location
Protected lagoon site on Norman Reef, about 58 km north-east of Cairns, with a shallow coral garden and a separate deeper bommie outcrop with swim-throughs (1-15 m).
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
silverseries.com.auaustraliantraveller.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.