Blizzard Ridge

Blizzard Ridge is a coral ridge within the Lighthouse Bay sanctuary zone at the northern tip of the North West Cape, approximately 1 kilometre offshore from the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

Overview

The site is a single elongated coral ridge sitting on a sandy bottom at 12–15 metres, and takes its name from two phenomena: on windy days, disturbed sand creates low-visibility blizzard-like conditions, while on calm days the ridge attracts such dense schools of reef fish that divers find themselves engulfed in swirling curtains of baitfish — another kind of blizzard.

Blizzard Ridge is consistently cited as one of Ningaloo’s top fish-density dive sites. Confirmed species at the site include white-tip reef sharks, olive-headed sea snakes, giant moray eels, large groupers, rock cod, surgeonfish, pipefish, parrotfish, and anemones. On calm days, feeding frenzies involving mackerel, trevally, and tuna break out as predators work the abundant glassfish schools. Leopard sharks rest on the sand adjacent to the ridge.

The site sits within Lighthouse Bay alongside The Labyrinth and Gullivers, and is typically dived as part of a double-dive boat trip from Exmouth. Conditions within the sanctuary zone are generally mild, though surface chop can affect the ride out. Suitable for all certified diver levels.

Note on previous data: The coordinates previously recorded for this site (-22.7, 113.6667) were incorrect, placing this site near Coral Bay. Corrected coordinates (-21.8008, 114.1237) are sourced from the PADI dive site directory and match the confirmed location near Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, Exmouth.

Site Information

• Location: Lighthouse Bay, Ningaloo Marine Park, Exmouth, Western Australia (northern tip of North West Cape)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 15 meters
• Visibility: 5–20 metres (weather and sand disturbance dependent)

Sources: PADI — Blizzard Ridge Lighthouse Bay, Dive Ningaloo — Lighthouse Bay, Scuba Diving Magazine — Five Incredible Dives at Ningaloo, Greatest Dive Sites — Blizzard Ridge. Last updated 2026-06-18.