Osprey Reef

Osprey Reef is an isolated ribbon reef in the Coral Sea, well off the main Great Barrier Reef system northeast of Cairns, rising from very deep water and only reachable by liveaboard given the distance offshore. It is best known for its steep walls dropping into blue water and for reliable shark sightings, including grey reef and whitetip reef sharks, with the site called North Horn a particular draw for shark feeds and aggregations. Divers have also reported manta rays passing through the area. Visibility is typically very good given the open ocean location far from coastal runoff, and depths at the various sites around the reef range from shallow reef top down past recreational limits along the drop offs. It is rated an advanced dive, given the exposure to current and the offshore setting.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• Grey Reef SharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchosReported here · unconfirmed
• Spotfin SquirrelfishNeoniphon sammaraReported here · unconfirmed
• Blotch-necked MorayGymnothorax margaritophorusReported here · unconfirmed
• Checkerboard WrasseHalichoeres hortulanusReported here · unconfirmed
• Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatusReported here · unconfirmed
• Manta rayManta rayReported here · unconfirmed