Scuba Diving Great Barrier Reef

Ribbon Reefs: Pixie Pinnacle

Situated between Ribbon Reefs #9 and #10, the Pixie Pinnacle is another of the Great Barrier Ribbon Reef's signature dive sites. It's only 15m in diameter, but is so renowned that it's visited by all the dive boats. The amount of marine life packed onto this pinnacle is simply amazing.

You start your dive by descending to the base of the pinnacle and slowly work your way back in an upward spiral. The base always warrants a look across the sandy bottom as on occasion a cruising white tip reef shark and ray can be spotted. Keep an eye on the blue on the way up, as schooling fusiliers, trevally, barracudas, batfish and mackerel are a likely sight.

Various types of shrimps, nudibranchs and pipefish inhabit Pixie Pinnacle and, with numerous overhangs with lots of dark little nooks and crannies, a torch, even on day dives, is a "must have" accessory. In one crevice there lives an electric clam and your guides may leave a torch at the spot for you to peer in and see this marvel at work. Do look out for stonefish resident on the pinnacle and remember to watch where you put your hands when you're looking for interesting critters.

As you slowly wind your way up this chimney, there are all sorts of interesting sights to keep any eye out for. Sunshine coral with delightful little crystal shrimps, and anemones with spinecheek or orangefin anemonefish, make great photographic subjects, as does the occasional sluggish flowery cod.

Pixie Pinnacle is home to large quantities of fairy basslets, so much so that it seems as if a pink cloud envelopes the pinnacle at some points, making pictures of other critters difficult to take. Rounding one bend, you will soon see a riot of colouful fish hanging in the current. Blue dash fusiliers, fairy basslets, anthias and more all enjoying the bounty of food swept through by the Coral Sea current. Enjoying the smaller fish of the Great Barrier Reef are red bass and particularly trevallies that swoop around at break-neck speed to gobble up the least fortunate.

Towards the top of the pinnacle, hard and soft coral cover is outstanding and includes black coral. Gorgonian fans, sponges, lace coral and yellow turret coral are all represented and in pristine condition. Anemones, occupied by residents clownfish, are ever present, with a keener eye required to spot cohabiting prawns and crabs.

In many places, moray eels can be seen peering out from their lairs, as well as hunting lion fish and resting peacock groupers.

Pixie Pinnacle Reef Basics: Pinnacle dive
Depth: 5 - 40m
Visibility: 20 - 30m
Currents: Moderate
Surface conditions: Usually calm, can be choppy
Water temperature: 25 - 30°C
Experience level: Beginner - intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 180 km north-east of Port Douglas
Access: Australia liveaboards

• Cairns tourist information

View a map of:
• Great Barrier Reef  -  Australia

• Scuba diving vacation enquiries

Back to Ribbon Reef diving sites index