Meet the site
The Sticks is one of the drift sites on Bougainville Reef.
The name may refer to sea whips, the long, stick-like gorgonians that grow straight out from steep walls in current, or to the remains of a navigation structure; Bougainville carries a navigation light. Neither explanation is confirmed in the sources consulted. What is clear is that it is a wall drift in the clear oceanic water that makes Bougainville special; visibility of 20–40 m is typical, and on the best days it is more.
The wall falls away from the reef edge into deep water. As at other Bougainville wall sites, divers can expect grey reef and whitetip sharks along the drop-off, rays passing, and schools of trevally, snapper and unicornfish. Soft corals and sea fans grow on the face, with anthias and butterflyfish around them. Dogtooth tuna and barracuda may appear from the blue.
The Sticks suits intermediate divers comfortable with drift technique and open-water ascents. As Bougainville usually gets only a day on a Coral Sea itinerary, it is dived occasionally, and the crew will choose between the drift sites depending on the direction and strength of the current. Precise location and depth range are not published.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Sticks (Bougainville Reef) is recorded as Drift 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.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 The Sticks (Bougainville 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 The Sticks (Bougainville 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 and whitetip reef sharks, rays, trevally, snapper, unicornfish, dogtooth tuna, barracuda, anthias, butterflyfish; soft corals, sea fans, sea whips
Location
A drift-dive site on the walls of Bougainville Reef, known for exceptional visibility.
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
dive-the-world.commarinelife.org.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
