The increase in climate change-related disturbances, such as storms and bleaching events, is leading to the expansion of coral rubble beds in reef ecosystems. Understanding mechanisms of coral recruitment in rubble beds is important to predict their recovery. Previous studies have investigated recruitment across depths and exposures on coral reefs using settlement tiles, but few studies examine recruitment onto natural substrates such as rubble. This study aimed to determine the impact that depth and wave exposure have on coral recruitment onto rubble using experimentally-stabilised rubble pieces, mimicking a stable rubble bed. These were deployed at shallow (4-7m) and deep (8-12m) areas of two sites at Heron Reef spanning an exposure gradient. We found an interactive effect between depth and exposure on recruit abundance. Abundance was higher at shallow compared to deeper areas of both sites. Yet, there was greater disparity between depths at the more sheltered location. The effect of depth is most likely driven by increased light levels at shallow depths, fostering macroalgal growth and competition with recruits. Shallower sites may also be more impacted by sediment-laden water flowing off the reef flat as the tide recedes. This study contributes to an increased understanding of the processes impacting coral recruitment in rubble beds across environmental gradients, which is essential as reefs degrade.