Summer Bay is one of the shallow coral gardens that Mike Ball's photographers' guide describes on the southern Ribbon Reefs, between Ribbon Reefs No. 2 and 3 near Flare Point. It is not on every itinerary, but when conditions are calm it is one of the prettiest easy dives on the southern Ribbons and a favourite for photographers who like bright, colourful hard coral.

The guide describes hard-coral gardens with Acropora in every colour and large Porites boulders, with new coral growth appearing after the cyclone damage of the mid-2010s. Blue-green chromis crowd the Acropora colonies, and medium-sized giant clams with varied mantle colours are scattered through the garden. The standout animal is the cuttlefish: several individuals are usually present, and they are often seen laying eggs among the branching coral, a behaviour that allows close, patient observation.

Because most of the interest is in the top few metres, bottom times are long and light is excellent. Mike Ball's guides recommend calm days for the best results and the lowest tides for split shots with the reef flat and sky in one frame. The garden also suits snorkellers, and the shallow depth means it works well as a final dive of the day or a relaxing dive after deeper pinnacles such as Steve's Bommie.

Away from the coral heads, expect whitetip reef sharks and lagoon rays on the sand, parrotfish, surgeonfish, damselfish and wrasse over the reef, and turtles passing through. It suits divers of every level, including those on their first liveaboard. Exact coordinates are not published; the site lies close to Flare Point, and crews choose between the two depending on conditions and which gardens are in best shape at the time.

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 Summer Bay on some southern Ribbon Reef itineraries.

Divers enter by giant stride from the dive deck at the mooring and descend the mooring line. The coral garden lies close to the mooring between Ribbon Reefs No. 2 and 3, near Flare Point, so it is dived and snorkelled from the boat.

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. Summer Bay is a shallow garden best on calm days; the lowest tides suit split-level photography.

Descend the mooring to about 8–10 m and cruise slowly through the Acropora and Porites gardens looking for cuttlefish and clams, keeping in the 3–8 m range. The whole dive doubles as a long safety stop.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions (Spoilsport) – occasional on Ribbon Reef itineraries.