Meet the site
360 is a Passions of Paradise site on Thetford Reef, named for its swing mooring, which allows the catamaran to turn through a full circle with the wind; that makes it a reliable choice on days when the breeze is variable. The mooring sits in a lagoon surrounded by coral, and the operator describes it simply as a stunning lagoon, with bommies at 12-18 m offering swim-throughs and pinnacles for divers, while snorkellers float over the tops of the bommies. Schools of grazing fish, surgeonfish, parrotfish and rabbitfish move across the reef in groups, and the bommies carry the full Thetford mix of hard corals, soft corals and anemones. Thetford is known for giant clams, turtles, stingrays and moray eels, and for Napoleon wrasse that cruise the lagoon, and all are possible here. The layout is compact and easy to navigate, with the bommies spaced so that divers can visit several in one tank without long swims over sand. Depths are moderate and there is little current, so the site suits new and returning divers as well as snorkellers, and the sandy floor keeps the site bright for photography. Passions added the neighbouring site East Meets West, on the eastern end of the reef, in 2016. Divernet and other guides sometimes confuse 360 on Thetford with a site of the same name on Moore Reef described by Diveplanit; they are different places. For many Passions guests it is the first reef they see, and the calm lagoon is a gentle place to settle in before a deeper second dive elsewhere on the reef.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
360 (Thetford Reef) is recorded as Reef in Cairns. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is 360 (Thetford Reef) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book 360 (Thetford Reef) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Surgeonfish, parrotfish, rabbitfish, Napoleon wrasse, giant clams, turtles, stingrays, moray eels, anemonefish, hard and soft corals
Location
Passions of Paradise swing mooring in a lagoon on Thetford Reef, about 45 km east-south-east of Cairns, surrounded by coral and bommies at 12-18 m.
Facilities nearby
Departs Reef Fleet Terminal / Marlin Marina, Cairns: toilets, cafes, paid parking; dive gear, tanks and lunch supplied on board
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
passions.com.aucairnsdiveadventures.com.audiveplanit.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.