Vertical Gardens is described by Mike Ball's guides as one of the best sites on the Ribbons, and it is rarely visited because the weather so seldom allows it. Two steep walls descend from a shallow reef flat with a large sloping bay between them. The north-eastern wall, which the guides compare to North Horn at Osprey Reef, carries spectacular gorgonian fans and soft corals in bright reds, pinks, oranges, yellows and golds. Spirit of Freedom describes a sheltered recess with undulating soft corals and a wall to 40 m, accessible in October–November when winds shift north-west.

The list of animals is long. Pygmy seahorses live on fans at about 36 m on the north-eastern wall. Manta rays pass in summer afternoons, and large Maori wrasse, diagonal-banded sweetlips, moon and emperor angelfish, adult palette surgeonfish, wobbegong, epaulette and whitetip reef sharks, fusiliers, unicornfish, midnight snapper and red-tooth triggerfish are all regular. Orange and purple anthias pour off the walls. Near the mooring attachment, true clownfish and palette surgeonfish live side by side, earning the spot the nickname of the Nemo-and-Dory corner. On the reef flat and walls look for three Nembrotha species, leopard blennies, spotted crouchers, flame hawkfish and orangutan crabs.

Mike Ball's guides often dive it two or three times when they get the chance. Strong currents are common, and the advice is to stay in place and let the life come to you. It is best suited to advanced divers comfortable on a deep wall in current, and anyone who gets the chance to dive it should take it, because the next calm window may be months away.

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 Vertical Gardens only when the wind allows.

Divers enter by giant stride from the dive deck at the mooring and descend the mooring line. The site is exposed to the south-east trades and can be moored only in north-westerly or very light south-easterly winds, typically in October–November, so it is a bonus dive rather than a fixture.

Vertical Gardens faces the prevailing south-east trades and is off-limits for about 85% of the year. It can be dived only in north-westerly or very light south-easterly winds, most often in October–November when the trades ease. Strong currents are common along the walls, and summer plankton lowers visibility.

Box jellyfish and Irukandji are possible November to May, and December to April is cyclone season. When it is on, dive it early in the day before any sea breeze builds, and expect the crew to move off quickly if the wind swings back to the south-east.

Descend the mooring to the reef flat, drop onto the north-eastern wall and descend to your planned depth (pygmy seahorses on the fans at about 36 m for advanced divers). Stay in one area if the current is running and let the fish come to you, then ascend along the wall into the bay and finish on the reef flat.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions (Spoilsport) – Ribbon Reef and Coral Sea itineraries from Cairns, several departures a month; Spirit of Freedom – 3-, 4- and 7-night trips from Cairns/Lizard Island, weekly – only when winds are NW or very light SE (roughly 15% of the year).