Shiprock Aquatic Reserve features a stunning marine environment, with a wide range of marine flora and fauna. Along with the strong currents, unblemished oceanic waters, and complex rocky areas underwater, this environment creates a diverse environment, populated by a wide range of marine plants, invertebrates, and fish. The site is a wall dive with a maximum depth of 18m. There are about 130 species of fish, various species of algae and invertebrates such as worms, snails, crustaceans and colourful sponges, in this relatively small area (approximately 2 hectares). These critters inhabit the thousands of crevices, small, submerged caves, and bommies. During the summer months, tropical species arrive at the Reserve after a long journey traveling down from Queensland on the East Australian Current (of Nemo fame). The strong tidal currents mean that it can only be dived when there's slack tide and to get the best visibility, it is recommended to only dive when the tide is high.