Anemone City is a group of five large coral pinnacles in the centre of the Flinders Reefs lagoon. Marinelife.org.au describes the pinnacles as covered in purplish football anemones with clownfish, pink hydroids, and crevices throughout the complex. The name reflects the density of anemones, which cover large areas of the pinnacles and give the site an unusual texture and colour.

Because the pinnacles are inside the lagoon, the site is more sheltered than the outer walls, and currents are generally gentle. The pinnacles rise from the lagoon floor and are close enough together to visit several on one dive. Crevices cut through the complex, sheltering fish and invertebrates, and the tops of the pinnacles are shallow and bright.

The anemones host clownfish (anemonefish) in large numbers, and pink hydroids add colour. Expect the usual lagoon reef fish: damselfish, anthias, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish and wrasse, with whitetip reef sharks, turtles and groupers likely. Macro subjects include anemone shrimps, porcelain crabs and nudibranchs.

Anemone City suits divers of every level and is a good choice when weather makes the outer walls uncomfortable. It also makes a relaxed contrast to the deep pinnacle at Watanabe Bommie and the sheer walls at China Wall and Cod Wall. Depths and coordinates here are estimates, as they are not published. The site has not been confirmed on current operator itinerary pages, so it may be dived only occasionally, but its sheltered lagoon position makes it a useful fallback on a Flinders trip when the trades blow.

Liveaboard only, from Townsville. Mike Ball's Spoilsport visits Flinders on its 7-night Yongala & Coral Sea expedition (depart Breakwater Marina, Townsville, Thursday evening, finish in Cairns) and the 10-night Coral Sea Odyssey; the overnight crossing is about 140 nautical miles (260 km), passing Myrmidon Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Private expedition yachts anchor behind the main sand cay in about 30 m over sand.

Anemone City is inside the lagoon, so it is more sheltered than the walls; boats anchor or moor nearby.

The Flinders Reefs lie about 250 km off the Queensland coast, roughly 140 nautical miles north-east of Townsville, beyond the outer Great Barrier Reef. The crossing is made overnight through open ocean and is uncomfortable in SE trades over about 20 knots (common June–August). The main sand cay gives some shelter from the trades, and the lagoon pinnacles are more protected than the outer walls.

Currents can be strong through the reef gaps and over the mid-reef bommies. September–December usually gives the calmest seas and 40 m-plus visibility; December–April is cyclone season.

Descend beside one of the pinnacles, work around it at 12–18 m looking into crevices, move to the next pinnacle, and finish high on the pinnacles among the anemones for a long safety stop.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions (Spoilsport) – 7-night Yongala & Coral Sea (Townsville–Cairns) and 10-night Coral Sea Odyssey, a few departures a year; otherwise private expedition yachts only.