Meet the site
Tijou Reef is a long outer reef on the far-northern shelf edge, described by Spirit of Freedom as remote and largely unexplored, with varied underwater landscapes and strong oceanic currents. Mike Ball's Northern Exposure expeditions dive Tijou and neighbouring Cat Reef for wall dives adorned with colourful fans and soft corals, with barracuda, rays, sharks and turtles; the named sites Pussy Galore and Catchers Mitt are listed separately. The outer face of Tijou drops steeply into deep water, and currents sweep along it. This creates ideal conditions for filter feeders: gorgonian fans, whip corals and soft corals line the walls, some very large. Gullies cut into the reef, lined with hard corals and sheltering fish. The pelagic life is a highlight – schools of barracuda, trevally and mackerel, grey reef sharks patrolling, and eagle rays gliding past. The reef is also visited on Mike Ball's Far Northern Reef Exploratory, which combines the Coral Sea with the Far Northern Reefs. Its remoteness means it is dived by only a few boats a year. The currents can be strong and the walls deep, so operators require Advanced certification or equivalent experience. Visibility is typically excellent, often 20–30 m or more. Tijou Reef suits experienced divers looking for wall dives in pristine conditions. It is one of the far-northern reefs where divers can still feel they are exploring. The reef is named after a crew member of Captain Bligh's open-boat voyage in 1789, which passed through the area after the mutiny on the Bounty.
What you might see
Grey reef sharks, barracuda, trevally, mackerel, eagle rays, turtles, gorgonian fans, whip corals, soft corals
Location
A long, remote outer ribbon reef on the far-northern shelf edge off Cape York, known for wall dives with fans, soft corals and pelagics.
Facilities nearby
None – expedition liveaboard only (Spoilsport/Spirit of Freedom provide air, nitrox, meals, cabins).
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.commikeball.comspiritoffreedom.com.aumikeball.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.