Meet the site
Predators Playground is a shallow site at Holmes Reef that marinelife.org.au describes as the main shark-feeding area, using a floating cage, at about 9 m, with small bommies nearby. It dates from the era when several Coral Sea operators ran regular shark feeds at Holmes, Flinders and Osprey. Today the best-known feed is at North Horn on Osprey, and no current operator material describing a feed at Holmes was found.
The setting is a sandy area at around 9 m with small bommies, a practical arrangement for a feed because divers can settle on or around the sand with good light and the sharks can be seen clearly as they arrive. A floating cage, presumably holding bait, was the centrepiece. Grey reef, whitetip and silvertip sharks are the likely species, as they are at other Coral Sea feed sites, and potato cod and trevally commonly join such feeds.
Without a feed, the site is a shallow, easy dive over sand and small bommies. Expect garden eels, whitetips resting on the sand, turtles, and the usual reef fish around the bommies. Visibility at Holmes is typically 20–40 m.
Shark feeding in the Coral Sea Marine Park requires specific authorisation, and this record should not be read as implying that feeds continue here. Divers interested in a shark feed should book an Osprey itinerary for North Horn. The entry is retained for completeness because the site is historically documented, and it should be updated if current information becomes available. As a plain shallow dive it is a pleasant, low-effort option between deeper wall dives.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Predators Playground (Holmes Reef) is recorded as Reef in Coral Sea. 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.
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 Predators Playground (Holmes 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 Predators Playground (Holmes 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
Grey reef, whitetip and silvertip sharks (historically at feeds), potato cod, trevally, turtles, garden eels, reef fish
Location
A shallow sandy area at about 9 m with small bommies on Holmes Reef, historically the main shark-feeding area using a floating cage.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
