Meet the site
Pixie Pinnacle is the Ribbon Reefs' signature pinnacle dive and one of the densest concentrations of life on the whole Great Barrier Reef. The bommie is small, only about 15 m across, and rises from 30 m to just below the surface between Ribbon Reefs No. 9 and 10. The classic dive is a slow spiral from base to top, and it is often done twice on a trip because there is too much to see in one go.
The top is covered in dense Acropora and swarmed by purple and orange anthias and sergeant majors. Between 5 and 8 m an overhang shelters large pink gorgonian fans and soft corals. Down the sides, numerous dark nooks hold lionfish, leafy scorpionfish, stonefish, pipefish, mantis shrimp, porcelain crabs and feather stars with commensal shrimps and squat lobsters. A torch reveals the flame file shell, the so-called disco clam, whose mantle edge flashes with light. Several anemonefish species live on the pinnacle, including Great Barrier Reef, pink, red-and-black and spinecheek.
Out in the blue, big-eye and blue-spotted trevally, chevron barracuda, unicornfish, fusiliers and batfish circle, and whitetip reef sharks and rays pass by. Flowery cod lurk deeper and female Maori wrasse visit. Black coral, lace coral and gorgonians grow on the lower flanks.
Mike Ball's photographers' guide recommends wide-angle in the middle of the day and macro in the morning or late afternoon, and says split shots are possible on most low tides. It suits intermediate divers comfortable with open-water ascents and a possible current.
What you might see
Purple and orange anthias, sergeant majors, big-eye and blue-spotted trevally, chevron barracuda, fusiliers, unicornfish, batfish, whitetip reef sharks, flowery cod, Maori wrasse, leafy scorpionfish, lionfish, stonefish, pipefish, flame file shell, mantis shrimp, porcelain crabs, nudibranchs, anemonefish (four species), gorgonian fans, black coral
Location
A small isolated pinnacle about 15 m across rising from 30 m to just below the surface between Ribbon Reefs No. 9 and 10.
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.comspiritoffreedom.com.audive-the-world.commikeball.commikeball.commorrisnautical.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.