The Rip

The Rip is a break in the reef at the eastern end of Direction Island where water pushed over the reef flat by the swell funnels back out through a narrow gap, and the current is strong enough to carry a snorkeller along the channel without any swimming. Reef sharks, trevally and turtles work the flow. You go in at the top, drift, and get out at the sand at the bottom.

What you actually see

• The drift - a current strong enough to carry you along the channel.
• The reef sharks - the blacktips and whitetips working the flow.
• The trevally - the schooling fish holding in the current.
• The exit sand - the beach at the bottom where the drift ends.

When to go

April to October is drier with steadier conditions. The current depends on the swell and the tide. Big swell makes it unsafe.

Honest expectations

The current is genuinely strong and this is not for weak swimmers; people get into difficulty here. Conditions must be checked before going in and exits identified first. There is no supervision of any kind.

Nearby

Cossies Beach is west, and Home Island is southwest.