Steep Point

Meet the site

Steep Point is a headland on the east coast, about 370 m south of Lily Beach and close to Low Point, according to gazetteer data.

As the name suggests, the headland is steep, and the island's shoreline in general drops quickly into deep water – the reef fringing the east coast is narrow and gives way to a steep slope and wall within a short distance of the cliffs. Expect hard coral on the reef top, sea fans and whips on the wall, reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, triggerfish and groupers, and pelagics along the edge – trevally, reef sharks and, in the wet season, possibly whale sharks and mantas. The east side of the island receives far fewer dives than the north, so the reef is likely to be in excellent condition.

The east coast is exposed to the south-east trades for most of the year, when this point will be rough and surge-swept. The only realistic window is on calm days during the wet season, when the monsoon swell affects the north coast and the operators move east. A point like this also accelerates currents.

Steep Point is best described as an exploratory site for experienced divers joining a special east-coast trip. Confirm with the operators whether they dive it before planning around it. The shore is cliffs and rock platform, with no practical shore entry for divers.

What you might see

Hard corals, sea fans, whips, butterflyfish, angelfish, triggerfish, groupers, trevally, reef sharks; seasonal whale sharks and mantas possible

Location

Headland on the east coast just south of Lily Beach; steep reef edge and drop-off dived only by boat on calm days.

Facilities nearby

Departs Flying Fish Cove jetty/ramp.