Two Towers

Meet the site

Two Towers is a pair of coral bommies near the southern end of Ribbon Reef No. 10, rising from about 25 m to within 5 m of the surface, with a deeper coral ridge beside them. Spirit of Freedom lists a 25 m base and 5 m apex, and it is a regular stop on both Spirit of Freedom and Mike Ball itineraries.

The site shows the Ribbon Reefs' recovery from the 2014–15 cyclones better than most. Mike Ball's photographers' guide notes that the deeper slopes were severely impacted, but the tops of both towers carry dense new Acropora growth in every colour, and they now rank among the best places on the Ribbons for young branching coral. On the south-east side is a large colony of Pavona clavus (column coral), whose top hosts colonies of red-and-black anemonefish.

The animal life is dependable. Several fully grown giant clams sit among the coral, resident green turtles are almost guaranteed, and olive sea snakes are regular. Yellow-lined snapper and fusiliers school around the towers, large moray eels live in the crevices, and spotted lagoon rays and bull rays rest on the sand. In winter eagle rays cruise the western and southern edges. Reef sharks, nudibranchs, anemonefish and mantis shrimp complete the picture.

Because it is compact and shallow, Two Towers suits divers of all levels and is excellent for long, relaxed dives and photography, particularly wide-angle shots of coral-topped pinnacles in afternoon light. It pairs well with neighbouring Lighthouse Bommie, and crews often schedule the two back to back, with Two Towers as the shallower, easier second dive of the morning.

What you might see

Green turtles (resident), olive sea snakes, giant clams, yellow-lined snapper, fusiliers, large moray eels, spotted lagoon rays, bull rays, eagle rays (winter), reef sharks, red-and-black anemonefish, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp

Location

Twin coral bommies near the southern end of Ribbon Reef No. 10, close to Lighthouse Bommie.