Dive and Snorkel Sites
Diving and snorkelling in the area can be done either around the Whitsunday Islands, or further out to sea on the Barrier Reef proper. The quality of the reef and wildlife is better for the latter.
Whitsunday Island Dive Sites
Bird Island
Visibility: 2-12 metres
Diving depth: 2-15 metres
Bottom: Rock in the shallows down to 6-8 metres, then dropping off to coral rubble and silty sand.
This site very open to currents; best to plan a drift dive or stay close to the island. Interesting rock formations down to 8 metres; shallow caves, ledges and gullies. Not a lot of coral, but the fish life can be quite good with large cod, sweetlip and trevally.
Snorkelling: Only mediocre.
Black Island (West Reef)
Visibility: 2-10 metres
Diving depth: 3-12 metres
Bottom: Small, scattered coral heads on a silty sand bottom gently sloping from the beach to 15 metres.
An easy shore dive (as the majority of interesting corals are very near the shore) from the northwestern corner of Black Island. Fish life rather small, but colourful. Current can be strong offshore, particularly near the northern end of the beach.
Snorkelling: Yes, but a bit deep at high tide.
Border Island (Cataran Bay)
Visibility: 2-12 metres
Diving depth: 2-12 metres
Bottom: Good hard coral cover in shallow water to 6 metres with patches of sand. Below 6 metres predominantly small coral heads, coral rubble and silty sand.
Best diving on either side of entrance into bay. Coral reefs are relatively shallow, dominated by large beautiful plate coral. From the top of reef a small wall drops down to 6 metres. Scattered coral bommies continue down to 12 metres. Plenty of gullies and ledges to explore. Fish life average, though some larger sweetlip and cod can be found under the ledges. Inside the bay, current is minimal; however, beware strong currents at the entrance, particularly off the northwest tip.
Snorkelling: Coral very shallow, making for easy snorkelling.
Haslewood Island (Waite Bay)
Visibility: 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 3-18 metres
Bottom: Very good coral cover with scattered small bommies and sand patches in shallow water gradually sloping from 3 metres to 6 metres. Good wall down to 12-18 metres then coral rubble and silty sand. Very diverse dive site. A maze of interesting coral bommies in shallow water from 6 metres. Good quality coral. A descent wall dive from 6 metres to as deep as 18 metres on reef edge. Again, good coral cover, plenty of gullies and ledges to explore. Good fish life of all sizes. Watch for manta rays in the winter months, May to September. Current is not normally a problem except during spring tides. Bay is open to south-easterlies. Can only be dived during light winds or northerlies.
Snorkelling: Best in shallows near beach, though is also very good for the intrepid snorkeller who prefers something a bit deeper on the reef edge.
Hayman Island (Blue Pearl Bay)
Visibility: 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 3-18 metres
Bottom: Best coral cover in shallow water off southern beach. Scattered bommies with silty sand bottom at 5-18 metres, dropping off to coral rubble and silty sand below 18 metres.
Best dive off southern beach, near Castle Rock. Shallow coral ledge (2-3 metres) dropping off as descent wall to 10-15 metres. Wall is cut with narrow canyons and caves - makes for some great exploration. Strong currents near Castle Rock have produced some beautiful gorgonian fans at 8-IS metres as well as numerous whip corals. The shallow water is dominated by the ubiquitous staghorn coral. Plenty of Millepora (stinging coral) around - so be careful. Current quite strong at Castle Rock; best to avoid at all times. Good protection from all winds except north-westerlies.
Snorkelling: Very good off southern beach, near Castle Rock.
Hayman Island (Dolphin Point)
Visibility: 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 5-18 metres
Bottom: Rugged terrain of coral outcrops and huge boulders set on coral rubble and sand.
An unusual dive amongst house-sized rock slabs making for great exploration. Large coral bommies at 5-15 metres add to the diversity of the dive. Excellent large fish life for island diving, including trevally, mackerel, barracuda and the odd shark. This is a relatively deep dive with potential currents near the point. Good anchorage in all but northerly winds.
Snorkelling: Not really. Too deep.
Hayman Island (East Reef)
Visibility: 5-15 metres
Diving depth: 2-12 metres
Bottom: Very good coral cover in shallow water (6-8 metres) cut with numerous small canyons. Small bommies and sand-coral rubble from 8 to 15 metres.
A very pretty shallow dive and snorkel site. The shallow coral cover is dominated by large plates, creating numerous small canyons and ledges which make for interesting exploration. Plenty of small, friendly reef fish. Access to this site is difficult due to its exposure to wind from every direction and to currents. A site for very calm days at slack tide.
Snorkelling: Excellent shallow coral.
Hook Island (Alcyonaria Point)
Visibility: 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 3-18 metres
Bottom: Good coral cover with patches of coral rubble and silty sand.
Excellent coral and fish life, particularly along the shallow ledge that runs along the point to Flat Rock. Plate corals dominate the shallow water. Ledge drops vertically with wall penetrated by numerous gullies and small caves. Many colourful soft corals at 10 metres, hence the site name. Large wrasse, cod and sweetlip found at depth. Current can be a problem, particularly at midtide. Anchorage is difficult due to drop-off. Exposed to northerlies and strong south-easterlies.
Snorkelling: Excellent shallow corals but prone to strong current.
Hook Island (Butterfly Bay)
Visibility: 2-10 metres
Diving depth: 5-12 metres
Bottom: Coral cover with large patches of coral rubble and silty sand.
This popular bareboat anchorage offers coral outcrops with shallow walls. Many small, colourful fish. Best of the bommies is found in the centre of the bay, though difficult to locate at high tide. Tidal currents can be a problem as one moves away from the bay edge towards the centre.
Snorkelling: Only along the bay edge or just off the beach.
Hook Island (Luncheon Bay)
Visibility: 3-IS metres
Diving depth: 3-15 metres
Bottom: Good shallow coral cover to 8-10 metres, coral rubble and silty sand at depth. Large bommie on eastern point.
Interesting terrain along foreshore down to 10 metres, best along eastern side of bay with coral gullies and ledges. Best part of dive is the bommie on the eastern point. Large fish life including wrasse, sweetlip and red emperor. Tidal current on point can be quite strong, particularly at midtide. Open to northerly winds.
Snorkelling: Good coral cover in shallow water on east side of the bay.
Hook Island (Mackerel Bay)
Visibility: 2-10 metres
Diving depth: 2-12 metres
Bottom: Good coral cover in shallow water, dropping off to scattered bommies at 7-12 metres.
A dive that is better at some times than at others depending upon visibility. This is a popular dive site during northerlies when most of the more popular sites are untenable. A relatively shallow dive through a mace of coral bommies, which form shallow canyons, ledges and swim-throughs. The fish life is medium in size and quite good. Exposed to southerly winds.
Snorkelling: Visibility adversely affected by the tide. Best during neap tides.
Hook Island (Manta Ray Bay)
Visibility: 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 3-15 metres
Bottom: Scattered coral bommies with sandy bottom. Below 15 metres mainly silty sand and coral rubble.
Hundreds of small damselfishes make this a top island dive. For years divers have hand-fed the fish of Masts Ray Bay which include some not-so-small Maori wrasse. The terrain is diverse with scattered bommies starting at 10-12 metres and reaching up to within 2 metres of the surface. Acropora corals dominate, with large plates on the top of the bommies and fields of staghorns in the shallow waters near the beach. A small but spectacular coral canyon (10 metres) can be found about 50 metres off the western end of the beach. Manta rays are common in the winter months, May to September. Excellent protection from all winds except the northerlies.
Snorkelling: Very good throughout the bay.
Hook Island (Maureen's Cove)
Visibility. 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 3-15 metres
Bottom: Large coral bommies and sandy bottom at back of cove. Good shallow coral cover with coral rubble and silty sand on eastern side of cove.
There are two dive sites here. At the back of the cove off the western side of the beach, a series of bommies starting at 12-15 metres and rising to within 3 metres of the surface, parallel to the shoreline. Gullies and shallow caves make for an interesting dive. Good medium-sized fish life. Along the eastern edge of Maureen's Cove is another good dive site locally known as the Boulders. Plate corals and other acropora dominate the shallow ledge which drops off as a small wall to
10-12 metres. Best corals, including large gorgonian fans found near the point, but beware of strong currents. Open to northerly winds.
Snorkelling: Best on the east side of the cove (otherwise, becomes too deep).
Hook Island (The Pinnacles)
Visibility: 3-15 metres
Diving depth: 3-18 metres
Bottom: Near solid coral cover in shallow water, breaking up into scattered but dense bommies from 5 to 18 metres. Below 18 metres only coral rubble and sand with the odd small coral head.
Arguably the best dive site in the Whitsunday islands - certainly the best hard corals which compare favourably to the Great Barrier Reef. The best dive would be off the western beach, adjacent to the Woodpile and swim east at a depth of 7-15 metres. Large coral bommies dominate the terrain, reaching nearly to the surface. As usual, acropora corals are everywhere but huge porites corals in the shape of huge boulders and massive towers can also be seen. The fish life is medium in size and average in quality. Masts rays are very common in the cooler months, May to September. In the shallow water, particularly off the western beach, the coral cover is nearly solid, mostly staghorn, with only a few sandy patches. The quality of the corals diminishes the further east one goes (towards the rock pinnacles). This site is open to northerly winds and swell from strong south-easterlies.
Snorkelling: Some of the best in the Whitsundays just off the western beach.
Hook Island (Saba Bay)
Visibility: 2-12 metres
Diving depth: 2-15 metres
Bottom: Good coral cover in shallow water, dropping of to scattered bommies at 7-12 metres
As with Mackerel Bay, this is another popular dive site during northerly winds which can be better at some times than others depending upon visibility. The northern end of the bay is studded with numerous small bommies in relatively shallow water, dropping down to 10-15 metres with scattered bommies among coral rubble and sand. Plenty of shallow canyons, ledges and swimthroughs. The fish are small- to medium-sized and in good numbers. Visibility is adversely affected by tide. Best dives during neap tides. Exposed to southerly winds.
Snorkelling: Interesting bommies on both sides of bay.
Hook Island (Stonehaven Anchorage)
Visibility: 2-10 metres
Diving depth: 2-12 metres
Bottom: Scattered small coral heads with a silty sand bottom.
This site offers interesting shallow diving with lots of small marine life including damselfishes. Christmas-tree worms and nudibranches. The coral heads are small but diverse. The visibility is very much controlled by the tides, but is best during the reaps.
Snorkelling: Only at high tide, as can be quite shallow.
Hook Island (The Woodpile)
Visibility: 4-15 metres
Diving depth: 5-30 metres
Bottom: Rock wall drop-off with scattered deep coral and sandy bottom. The unusual rock formation known as the Woodpile has created the best wall dive in the Whitsunday islands. The wall drops down to nearly 30 metres on the point. Best to start the dive about halfway between the beach and the point. Here the wall is covered in soft corals down to 5-7 metres. Below 7 metres, the wall is somewhat devoid of corals but provides some excellent exploring, with large overhanging ledges and shallow caves. Some fairly large black coral trees can be found between 10 and 15 metres. Back away from the wall is a maze of coral bommies, including some large porite corals. Approaching the point the landscape becomes rather barren due to strong currents - an area to be avoided. This site is exposed to northerlies, and swell from strong south-easterlies can make anchoring quite uncomfortable.
Snorkelling: No.
Langford Island (Langford Reef North)
Visibility: 2-10 metres
Diving depth: 3-15 metres
Bottom: Scattered small coral bommies on sandy bottom, gradually sloping from shore to 15 metres. Below 15 metres mostly coral rubble and silty sand.
A very popular day-trip destination for sailors, snorkellers and divers. Best diving is found on north-western end of beach, where current is strongest at mid-tide. Scattered bommies offer an interesting maze to explore. Some shallow walls at the eastern end of the island. The majority of fish life is small but abundant. Expert to encounter tidal currents at all times except slack water. Reasonable protection from all but the strongest wind condition.
Snorkelling: Just offshore along the beach; best towards the island.
Whitsunday Island (The Gardens)
Visibility: 4-15 metres
Diving depth: 5-15 metres
Bottom: Reasonable coral cover on a gently descending slope with silty sand patches.
Easy, shallow dive just off Hook Island, very near the Underwater Observatory. Coral cover dominated by large plate corals. Plenty of small friendly reef fish looking for a handout. Occasionally, large pelagic fishes will cruise through. Excellent protection in all wind conditions. Current can be a problem during spring tides.
Snorkelling: Watch current during big tides.
Barrier Reef sites
Bait Reef (Gary's Lagoon)
Visibility: 10-20 metres
Diving depth: 4-18 metres
Bottom: Walls forming inlets are solid coral, bottom is sand with scattered, low coral bommies.
An easy site offering two very different dives. The outside edge and entrance into the inlet is a relatively deep dive, 10-18 metres among the low coral bommies and along the wall that forms the edge of Bait Reef. The coral is excellent including soft corals and gorgonian fans. Fish life can be reasonably large with cod, mackerel, barracuda and trout. Once outside the inlet, current can be a problem. Diving within the inlet is easy and relaxing with minimal to no current and 4-12 metres of water. The walls are cut with canyons and deep ledges. Numerous giant anemones at the back of the inlet. Look for wobbegong sharks under the ledges. Good protection in all winds but north-westerlies.
Snorkelling: Very good shallow coral along the edge of the inlet. A 100-metre swim to the east at high tide is a beautiful shallow, unnamed lagoon with a couple of resident reef sharks. Worth the effort.
Bait Reef (Manta Ray Drop-off)
Visibility: 12-30 metres
Diving depth: 3-36 metres
Bottom: Total coral cover in shallow water to 5 metres, wall dropping to 30 metres cut with crevices. From 30 metres down, bottom is made up of coral rubble, sand and scattered coral heads.
Great Barrier Reef diving at its best. A spectacular wall dive from 5 to 30 metres vertical. At the top of the wall is a gorgeous coral garden with a diverse array of hard corals. The wall itself is covered in small colourful soft corals, gorgonian fans, whips and feather stars. The most interesting aspect of the dive is exploring the deep fissures that cut deep into the wall, including a vertical tunnel or chimney, At the base of the wall the bottom continues down and is covered with numerous small coral heads. Between 30 and 35 metres are tall, corkscrew sea whips that reach upwards 3-4 metres towards the surface. The fish life is never-ending, with an array of big and small forms. Schools of fusiliers cruise the drop-off, large wrasse and bumpheaded parrotfish are often seen along the wall, trevally, mackerel, barracuda and sharks come up from the deep and, of course, manta rays. This site is exposed to southerly winds and is very prone to strong currents. Best to dive during slack water, neap tides.
Snorkelling: Excellent coral garden in shallow water but very prone to current.
Bait Reef (Stepping Stones)
Visibility: 10-20 metres
Diving depth: 3-30 metres
Bottom: Very large coral bommies on sand. Behind the Stepping Stones sand often covered by huge thickets of staghorn coral.
The Stepping Stones are a unique feature of Bait Reef. They are made up of 18 or more flat-topped coral pinnacles lined up in a row along the south-west side of the reef. Each pinnacle rises from a depth of 15-25 metres and stops within 1 metre of the surface. The pinnacles are circular in shape and have absolutely vertical sides. Each of the stepping stones is completely covered with coral of all varieties - huge plates on top, soft corals and gorgonian fans on the sides. The stones vary in size from small (15 metres in diameter) to large (50 metres in diameter). Clouds of small colourful tropical fishes swarm around the tops of the stones, while large wrasse, sweetlip, cod, trevally, trout and others cruise the numerous canyons, ledges and caves at depth. Large rays are common, especially manta rays from May to September. Watch the tidal movement as currents are fairly consistent. There are numerous dive sites within the Stepping Stones complex. Some of the highlights are:
• The Maze: located at the southern end of the Stepping Stones, this dive site is literally a maze of canyons, caves and crevices and relatively shallow (5-15 metres). Large fish are often found in the caves and under ledges. Angelfish are also common. Minimum current within the maze;
• Hawaii: this large solitary Stepping Stone is located near the northern end of the chain. It drops to nearly 20 metres on the seaward side. Plenty of big fish life but also plenty of current at mid-tide;
• Cluster of Four: as the name implies, four medium-sized stones in close proximity have created some excellent terrain for exploring - deep canyons and narrow crevices full of whip corals and large fish life. Some current on outside.
• The Lost Stone: at the northern end of the chain, the stones seem to disappear but are actually just deeper, rising to within 5 metres of the surface. Very good fish life, medium- to large-sized. Fairly deep dive, 8-30 metres. Current at mid-tide.
Snorkelling: Excellent shallow coral on top of the Stepping Stones.
Bait Reef (Southern Face)
Visibility: 12-30 metres
Diving depth: 5-30 metres
Bottom: Shallow water dominated by flat terrain completely covered by hard corals with the odd sand patch. Drops away quickly from 5 metres down to 20-30 metres. The slope is cut with numerous gullies with coral rubble and sand bottoms.
This dive is very similar to Gorgonia Hill without as many fans at depth. The numerous deep gullies make for very interesting diving, often filled with a variety of fish life including angelfish, sweetlip, cod and soldier fish. Large turtles, manta rays and some pelagic fishes such as mackerel and barracuda are often seen cruising along the drop-off. Open to southerly winds and current. Best to dive at slack water.
Snorkelling: Excellent.
Fairey Reef (Henry's Bommie)
Visibility: 10-20 metres
Diving depth: 5-15 metres Bottom: Relatively flat, sandy bottom studded with small coral outcrops. Largest bommie cut with ledges and a large cave.
An interesting dive in the lagoon at Fairey Reef, Henry's Bommie is considered to be a premier attraction. The bommie reaches from 12 metres to near the surface. A narrow gap opens into a cave which is worth exploring but beware the small opening. Inside you will find a huge clam, 1 metre across. There is also a resident turtle that is often spotted at night. Circumnavigation of Henry's Bommie is the usual dive plan. Good coral cover and clouds of small tropical fish.
Snorkelling: Excellent with minimal current.
Fairey Reef (Little Fairey Inlet)
Visibillty:10-20 metres
Bottom: Shallow wall at back of inlet dropping to 10 metres, sandy bottom sloping down to 16 metres, studded with small coral outcrops.
Classic dive starting at wall along entrance to inlet, depth 16 metres. Excellent coral cover which tends to degenerate below about 18 metres. Possible to miss inlet if deeper than 16 metres. Swimming along wall and into inlet brings you in contact with very good fish life including brightly coloured angelfish, cod, trout and sweetlip. Plenty of nooks and crannies to explore when going into the inlet, and shallower water (10 metres). Small current should be expected outside the inlet but good protection once inside.
Snorkelling: Excellent along the wall of the inlet. Some current at opening of inlet.
Fairey Reef (The Shoals)
Visibility: 10-20 metres
Diving depth: 5-25 metres
Bottom: Relatively flat, sandy bottom at 6-8 metres backed by a shallow coral wail cut with shallow canyons opening into small lagoons. Eventually drops to 25 metres with small coral bommies on sandy bottom, some coral rubble.
A very 'easy diving site with negligible current at almost all tidal conditions. Swim-throughs into small lagoons make for good exploration. Heaps of giant clams, sea cucumbers and all the small tropical fish. Blue spotted rays. Maori wrasse and the odd reef shark are also common. Average depth is only 8 metres but does drop away to 24 metres. Current can be a problem at depth.
Snorkelling: Quite good, with little current.
Fairey Reef (Tina's Arm)
Visibility: 15-30 metres
Diving depth: 5-30 metres
Bottom: Small bommies extending from coral wall. Bommies and wall bottom out at 20-30 metres, then relatively flat, sandy bottom with coral rubble.
This is one of the prettiest sites on Fairey Reef. Very good coral cover including large porites coral and gorgonian fan, the largest found at 25 metres. Plenty of fish life of all sizes and colours, regular encounters with reef sharks, barracuda and turtles. As with most of the better dive sites, currents can be a problem, best to dive at slack water. However there are plenty of swim-throughs to explore if current poses a problem.
Snorkelling: Excellent, but prone to currents.
Hardy Reef (Fantasea Reef World pontoon)
Visibility: 8-18 metres
Diving depth: 5-18 metres
Bottom: Wall with good coral cover down to 10 metres, cut with numerous shallow curves, canyons and ledges. Below 10 metres, there are steep slopes of coral rubble and sand, with low coral outcrops.
An easy dive, good for exploring the undersides of numerous ledges and caves covered with small, colourful gorgonian fans and soft corals, down to 10 metres. Best hard coral cover found in the shallow water of the reef face down to 5 metres. However, the fish life is where it's at. For years the pontoon has been feeding the locals who are now big and quite friendly. Largest among the residents is a groper coming in at 2 metres in length and nearly 200 kilograms! Large Maori wrasse, trevally, trout and cod are always there to greet the diver. Plenty of small colourful reef fish as well. Good protection in most wind conditions except northerlies. Consistent currents particularly away from the wall. Possibly opt for a drift. Extremely deep water (60 metres) in the channel away from the wall.
Snorkelling: Excellent fish life; some current.
Hardy Reef (The Canyons)
Visibility: 10-20 metres
Diving depth: 3-18 metres
Bottom: Wall cut with caves, tunnels and canyons down to 15 metres, then steep slope of coral rubble and sand.
This dive offers great opportunity to explore an endless maze of tunnels, canyons and shallow caves which start as deep as 15 metres and take the diver right up to the surface. Gorgonian fans often shroud the tunnel entrances and crayfish are common in dark recesses. Large and small reef fish in abundance. One cave is always jammed with 100 or more morwong. Good protection from all but strong northerly winds. Outside of the canyons, current can be quite strong. Very deep water off wall (60 metres) in the channel.
Snorkelling: Current often strong over the reef flat.
Hardy Reef (Shark Alley)
Visibility: 6-15 metres (varies tremendously with tides)
Diving depth: 4-20 metres
Bottom: Wall drops quite steeply; below 20 metres mostly coral rubble.
Plenty of action here, particularly at the bottom of the tide when the waterfalls are running. Sharks are known to cruise this area looking for a feed. White tips and black tips with the odd whaler, hammerhead and even tiger shark. Visibility is often low due to strong currents and outflow from Hardy Lagoon. Generally protected from strong winds of all directions.
Snorkelling: Not recommended.
Hardy Reef (Hardy Reef South)
Visibility: 12-30 metres
Diving depth: 5-30 metres
Bottom: Shallow water dominated by flat terrain completely covered by hard corals and cut by numerous shallow gullies. Some shallow pools with sandy bottom.
The southern face of Hardy Reef, when accessible, offers really spectacular diving, both shallow and deep. The steep slope drops from 3 to 30 metres very quickly and is covered in a variety of hard and soft corals. The numerous deep gullies are often full of fish life, including angelfish, sweetlip, cod and wrasse. Pelagic fishes can be seen off the reef face, including mackerel, trevally and barracuda. Open to southerly winds and current.
Snorkelling: Not recommended.
Line Reef
Visibility: 8-18 metres
Diving depth: 3-25 metres
Bottom: Basically a coral wall with small gullies and deep ledges. Wall drops to 10-15 metres then steep slope of coral rubble and sand.
A good drift dive along a wall full of nooks and crannies. Small, brightly-coloured soft corals, fans and feather stars are common under the ledges. Fish life is medium in size with cod, sweetlip, wrasse, trout and angelfish. Good protection from wind but no protection from current.
Snorkelling: Prone to current; best to drift with current.
Sinker Reef
Visibility: 8-18 metres
Diving depth: 5-30 metres
Bottom: Top of reef covered with staghorn coral (although some fairly extensive anchor damage). Steep walls dominate the sides, with lots of ledges and short caves to explore.
This is a relatively small reef located in the middle of the channel between two very large reefs. Line and Hardy. Watch the current. The dive is similar in character to Line Reef; a good wall dive with nooks and crannies full of small, brightly coloured soft corals, fans and feather stars. Fish life includes cod, sweetlip, wrasse, trout and angelfish.
Snorkelling: Not recommended due to current.