Cracker Jack is a small, deep pinnacle near Ribbon Reef No. 5 that rises from about 40 m, with vertical walls covered in soft corals, black coral trees and purple elephant-ear sponges. Mike Ball's crew usually run it as the first dive of the day, when divers are fresh and can handle the depth, and the photographers' guide warns that the lighting is darker than on most Ribbon Reef sites.

The walls are the main attraction. Soft corals in purples and oranges hang from every surface, the elephant-ear sponges are large and photogenic, and black coral trees grow on the deeper flanks. The top of the pinnacle sits at about 10 m, so there is no shallow reef to linger on; this is a dive for moving slowly up the walls.

In late summer dense aggregations of glassfish crowd the pinnacle, drawing in big-eye trevally and fusiliers that sweep through the clouds. Purple and orange anthias are always present. Leafy scorpionfish and coral cods sit on the walls, and pygmy seahorses live on fans below 24 m. Macro subjects include mantis shrimp, cleaner shrimp and nudibranchs.

Cracker Jack appears on Mike Ball's Ribbon Reef and Far Northern Reefs itineraries. It suits advanced divers comfortable with depth, lower light and an open-water ascent, and photographers who want soft-coral wide-angle or deep macro. A torch helps to bring out the colours of the soft corals and sponges, which look muted without artificial light at depth. Nitrox extends the useful time on the deeper walls, and conservative planning is wise because the rest of the day's dives follow.

Liveaboard only (or fly-dive via Lizard Island). Mike Ball Dive Expeditions' Spoilsport and Spirit of Freedom depart Cairns (Trinity Wharf / Marlin Marina) in the evening and steam north overnight, roughly 12–14 hours and 200–250 km, to reach the Ribbon Reefs by morning; some itineraries fly Cairns–Lizard Island (about one hour, scenic flight along the coast) and board or disembark there. Trips run 3–7 nights and include Cracker Jack, usually as the first dive of the day.

Divers enter by giant stride from the dive deck at the mooring and descend the mooring line. The pinnacle stands in deeper water near Ribbon Reef No. 5; boats moor close by and divers descend straight to the walls.

The Ribbon Reefs sit on the edge of the continental shelf and take the full south-east trade wind from April to October. Lagoon-side moorings stay diveable in 20–25 knot SE winds, but reef-front sites and passes need lighter winds; liveaboards shelter behind the reefs overnight. September to December is usually calmest.

Tidal flow through the gaps between the Ribbons is strong on springs, so exposed pinnacles are timed for slack water. December to April brings rain, lower visibility and cyclone risk; box jellyfish and Irukandji are possible November to May. Cracker Jack is a deep open-water pinnacle, dived in light to moderate winds near slack water; light is dim on the walls, so it is scheduled early in the day while divers are fresh.

Descend directly to 25–30 m (24 m+ for pygmy seahorses) and circle the base of the pinnacle once, then spiral upward along the vertical walls, checking the sponges and soft corals. Finish on top at about 10 m and complete the safety stop on the line.

Nitrox useful to extend bottom time at 24–30 m; plan conservatively as it is often the first of several repetitive dives.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions (Spoilsport) – Ribbon Reef and Far Northern itineraries, usually the first (deep) dive of the day.