Meet the site
Totem is one of the Agincourt sites on the Scuba IQ roster, named for its centrepiece: a prominent coral spike rising from the seafloor like a totem pole. Scuba IQ notes that the main feature is deep enough to be reserved for certified divers, while the surrounding coral garden, full of anemones, makes the site enjoyable for everyone. Pinnacles like this on the outer ribbon reefs act as fish magnets. The spike stands alone above the sand, so current flowing past it carries plankton to the corals and fish that cling to its sides, and the vertical structure offers shelter to everything from tiny gobies to large groper. Expect clouds of anthias and chromis over the upper parts, sea fans and soft corals growing out into the flow, and reef fish sheltering in holes and crevices. The garden around the base is the other half of the site. Anemones cover large patches of the reef, each with resident clownfish, and the shallow depth means it is well lit, colourful and easy to explore. This is where snorkellers and newer divers spend their time, and where certified divers finish their dive after ascending from the spike. Scuba IQ does not publish a maximum depth; the depth restriction on the spike suggests its base is beyond the range allowed for discover-scuba divers (12 m), and certified divers should follow the guide's depth plan. As with all Agincourt sites, visibility is typically 15–30 m and the reef lies within Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zoning. Totem suits certified divers who enjoy pinnacle dives and photographers who want vertical structure against blue water, while the anemone garden gives the site broad appeal. It is a good example of the smaller, less-publicised sites that small-group operators use to spread divers across the Agincourt complex.
What you might see
Anemones and clownfish, anthias, chromis, sea fans, soft corals, reef fish
Location
A prominent coral spike rising from the seafloor on the Agincourt complex, with an anemone-filled coral garden around it.
Facilities nearby
Departs Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Wharf Street, Port Douglas – car parking, toilets, cafes and restaurants at the marina; dive shops in town for gear hire and air
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
scubaiq.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.