Cape Kri dive site — world record schooling fish

Cape Kri

World's Most Biodiverse Dive Site

Sloping reef extending from the northeastern tip of Kri Island. In 2012, Dr. Gerald Allen documented a world-record 374 reef fish species on a single 90-minute dive here. The biomass is the defining feature.
Depth
5–40m
Current
Moderate–very strong
Certification
AOW required
Visibility
15–30m typical

Site Profile

Cape Kri is a sloping reef at the NE tip of Kri Island. The dive begins on the current-exposed point, descending to 30m to observe patrolling grey reef, whitetip, and blacktip sharks in the blue. As you ascend, you drift along a steep slope covered in hard corals and massive barrel sponges. The sheer biomass is the primary feature — vast, dense schools of yellow-fin barracuda, bigeye trevally, and fusiliers obscure the reef itself.Tasselled wobbegong sharks (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) rest under table corals at 5–10m. A reef hook is essential equipment here.

Dive Plan

  1. 01

    Negative entry at the point

    Drop into the current split at the NE corner of Kri. Descend immediately to avoid being swept over the reef.

  2. 02

    Hook in at 25–30m

    Set your reef hook against the slope. Observe patrolling sharks and the wall of fish in the blue.

  3. 03

    Drift along the slope

    Release the hook and drift along the reef. The schools open and close around you. Watch the slope for resting wobbegongs.

  4. 04

    Safety stop on the shallow reef

    Multi-level ascent through 10–5m. Coral garden + bait balls + final wobbegong scan.

Key Species

Grey reef shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Napoleon wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Schooling barracuda
Sphyraena qenie
Wobbegong shark
Eucrossorhinus dasypogon
Bargibant's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus bargibanti
Bigeye trevally
Caranx sexfasciatus

Dive Cape Kri

Cape Kri is the centerpiece of every Dampier Strait itinerary. Reach out for vessel options and tidal-optimized dive scheduling.