Lady Elliot Island · Australia · Pinnacle · Reef
Scattered Bommies
Loose bommie field in 14–19 m that rays and sharks cross
Area photo: Christo.j.brown · CC BY-SA 4.0
A group of small coral formations on the sand between the Severance wreck and Lighthouse Bommie, dived in 14 to 19 m. The scattered heads pull in manta rays, Queensland grouper, leopard sharks, shovel-nosed sharks and several kinds of stingray, with lionfish holding on the coral itself.
Where it is and how deep
24.1121° S, 152.7093° EPublished position for this site.
Site maps published elsewhere
The dive
The site sits between the Severance wreck and Lighthouse Bommie, and unlike either of those it is not one structure but a scatter of small coral formations spread across the sand. You descend into 14 to 19 m and move between the heads, so the dive is a series of short stops rather than one continuous wall or bommie circuit.
Each formation holds its own life. Lionfish sit up on the coral, stingrays of several kinds work the sand between the heads, and Queensland grouper, leopard sharks and shovel-nosed sharks are all seen crossing the open ground. Manta rays come through here too, so it pays to look up and out into the blue as often as down at the coral.
Because the interest is spread out, the useful approach is to stay low over the sand and let the animals come to the heads rather than chasing across the site. Work back towards the shallower end of the range as the dive runs down and finish above the bommies.
Marine life and season
- Manta rays
- Stingrays
- Groupers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Lady Elliot Island: Mantas peak May–Aug when cooler water brings them in; humpbacks pass Jun–Oct and turtles nest Nov–Mar.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Scattered Bommies?+
The site runs from 14 to 19 m across a group of small coral formations on the sand. It sits between the Severance wreck and Lighthouse Bommie on the western side of the island.
What sharks and rays are seen at Scattered Bommies?+
Manta rays, leopard sharks, shovel-nosed sharks and many varieties of stingray are all reported here, along with Queensland grouper. The animals move between the scattered coral heads rather than holding at one spot.
Sources
- Dive Sites & Map — Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (Internet Archive)
- Scattered Bommies - Lady Elliot Island — Scubago
More dive sites in Lady Elliot Island
Pinnacle
A manta cleaning station beside a coral-covered Admiralty anchor
Cave & cavern
An L-shaped cave in from 14 m and out of the wall at 22 m
Coral garden
Shallow coral regrown since the 1992 cyclone, and a strong night dive
Cave & cavern
A twin-entrance overhang at 24 m below a 16 m cleaning station
Pinnacle
The island's main manta cleaning station, in 14 m of water
Reef
Branching coral gardens in 5–12 m with three turtle species
Wreck
The island's only wreck, coral-grown at 21 m since 1999
Pinnacle
Resident leaf scorpionfish on bommies at 18 m
Similar dives elsewhere
A rock formation named for a sunken ship that isn't there
Deep sponge reef and fur seals on Tasmania's hardest pinnacle
Bombies at 5 to 15 m where mantas come in to feed
Two pinnacles on a 16-metre plateau, with a wall dropping to 60 metres