The Snake Pit is a small, isolated patch reef in the lagoon between Lizard Island and Ribbon Reef No. 10, and it is famous for one thing: olive sea snakes. Dozens of the reptiles live on the reef, and they are notoriously curious, swimming up to inspect divers and their reflections in masks and camera ports. Spirit of Freedom describes it as an isolated reef between Lizard Island and #10 Ribbon Reef, with depths of 10–30 m.

Mike Ball's photographers' guide is frank that the site is not known for coral, which was badly affected by the 2014–15 cyclones. The appeal is animals. Resident green turtles use shallow sections of the reef for cleaning, sea snakes are scattered throughout, and the south-east section attracts large schools of fusiliers, chevron barracuda and surgeonfish. It is one of the only places on the Ribbon Reefs where schooling longfin bannerfish are found. In winter large schools of eagle rays pass through, and in summer dense swarms of glassfish draw in predators.

Sharks are frequent: leopard, grey and whitetip reef sharks are regular, and there are rare sightings of guitar sharks, bull sharks and great hammerheads. For macro, look for glass shrimp, crinoid shrimp, squat lobsters and anemonefish. Lizard Island Resort lists olive sea snakes, manta rays, reef sharks, eagle rays and seasonal whales.

Visibility is lower than elsewhere on the Ribbons, often 7–15 m, and currents can be strong, so this is a site for experienced divers comfortable in open water with no reef wall to follow. Photographers should expect backscatter. Those who get the conditions come away with some of the most memorable animal encounters of a Ribbon Reef trip.

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 the Snake Pit only in good conditions.

Divers enter by giant stride from the dive deck at the mooring and descend the mooring line. Lizard Island Resort offers it only as a private charter for advanced divers. The reef is small and exposed, so boats anchor or hold station nearby and drop divers directly over the top of the patch reef.

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. The Snake Pit has no reef to shelter behind and is dived only in light winds; strong currents are common and visibility (7–15 m) is lower than on the outer Ribbons because it sits inside the lagoon.

Descend straight to the top of the patch reef at 10–14 m, then work the south-east edge where the fish schools gather, staying close to the reef to stay out of the current. Watch the shallow cleaning sections for turtles and sea snakes. Ascend on the reef edge with an SMB; safety stop in open water.

Spirit of Freedom – occasional stop on Ribbon Reef itineraries in calm weather; Mike Ball Dive Expeditions – occasional; Lizard Island Resort – advanced divers by private charter only.