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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Cod Hole location page.
Overview
An isolated coral tower on Ribbon Reef Number 3 that climbs from a 30 m sand floor to within 5 m of the surface. Schools of bigeye trevally, fusiliers and yellow-lined snapper rotate around the pinnacle in dense columns while macro hunters search the crevices for leafy scorpionfish, stonefish, longnose hawkfish and peacock mantis shrimp. Anemonefish defend host anemones near the summit and grey, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks patrol the deeper edges. A memorial plaque to Steve, the free diver the site is named after, sits near the base at about 25 m.
Briefing note
Marine park fees apply and are usually included in liveaboard pricing. Stonefish at this site are camouflaged on the pinnacle wall; do not hand hold on the reef and watch fin placement near the base. Currents are usually mild but can pick up on a turning tide, in which case the lee side of the bommie offers shelter and concentrates the fish schools.
What you'll see
10 species curated- year-roundBigeye trevally
- year-roundYellow-lined snapper
- year-roundLeafy scorpionfish
- year-roundReef stonefish
- year-roundLongnose hawkfish
- year-roundPeacock mantis shrimp
- year-roundWhitetip reef shark
- year-roundGreen sea turtle
- year-roundCinnamon clownfish
- seasonalDwarf minke whalePeak: Jun · Jul
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Feb | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
| Mar | 27–29 °C | 20–30 m | mild |
| Apr | 26–28 °C | 25–35 m | mild |
| May | 25–27 °C | 25–35 m | mild |
| Jun | 23–25 °C | 25–40 m | moderate |
| Jul | 22–24 °C | 25–40 m | moderate |
| Aug | 22–24 °C | 25–40 m | moderate |
| Sep | 23–26 °C | 25–35 m | mild |
| Oct | 24–27 °C | 25–35 m | mild |
| Nov | 26–28 °C | 20–30 m | mild |
| Dec | 27–30 °C | 15–25 m | mild |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Macro lens or torch — The pinnacle is a top critter dive on the Ribbon Reefs; leafy scorpionfish, stonefish and longnose hawkfish reward a close inspection lens or pocket torch.
- Dive computer with logbook room — A typical liveaboard schedule stacks four to five dives a day; surface intervals on the boat are short and Steve's is often dived twice on the same itinerary.
Next step
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