Meet the site
Seringapatam Reef is an egg-shaped atoll of about 55 km², with a narrow reef rim enclosing a deep lagoon, large boulders on its edges and sandbanks on the west side. It was found by Captain Edwin Courtenay on 23 August 1839 and named after his ship. Like Scott Reef, it rises steeply from 400–500 m, and it shares Scott Reef's history of severe bleaching.
Few recreational divers have visited; expect pristine-feeling walls, pelagics and sharks, and a total dependence on the expedition vessel.
Kimberley diving context: the Kimberley coast between Broome and Wyndham is one of the least-dived coastlines in Australia. Huge tides (up to 10–11 m), turbid inshore water, saltwater crocodiles around the islands and rivers, and large sharks mean that inshore diving is generally discouraged by experienced local boaters, and expedition cruise ships mostly offer snorkelling or Zodiac excursions rather than scuba. The serious diving is offshore, on atolls and island reefs far from river run-off, visited on a handful of liveaboard departures a year from Broome or Darwin. Medical help is many hours away; divers should be conservative and carry DAN or equivalent evacuation cover.
Planning notes: Advanced Open Water certification is recommended and the site is rated advanced. Expect to spend most of the dive around 18 m, with a maximum of about 40 m. It can only be reached on a multi-day expedition or liveaboard, so it is usually one of several sites dived on the trip and choices are made by the crew on the day. Currents are significant, so timing around the tide is part of the plan. Best season: September–November (calmest window). Traffic: remote/expedition only.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Seringapatam Reef is recorded as Reef in Broome & Kimberley. 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.
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 Seringapatam Reef 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 Seringapatam 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
Reef sharks, pelagics, turtles, reef fish, hard corals
Location
Egg-shaped oceanic atoll (~55 km²) in the Timor Sea 23 km north-east of North Scott Reef, with a narrow rim enclosing a deep lagoon.
Facilities nearby
None – remote; all services on the vessel.
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
en.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.