Meet the site
5 Ways is a Passions of Paradise site on Moore Reef. It consists of several coral bommies linked by five different swim-throughs, which gives the site its name, and the operator notes an average depth of about 12 m inside the swim-throughs, with great coral cover. The swim-throughs are the attraction: each is a short passage through or between coral heads, open enough for relaxed passage and lit from above, so divers can move from one to the next along a natural circuit without long swims over sand. Snorkellers enjoy watching divers pass beneath them and can see the bommie tops clearly. Moore Reef as a whole acts as a nursery for the surrounding area, and 5 Ways is full of juvenile fish sheltering in the coral, along with cardinalfish and glassfish in the darker passages, parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish on the bommie faces, and larger residents such as coral trout, sweetlips and the friendly Maori wrasse Moore is known for. Turtles are common on the reef, and whitetip reef sharks may rest in the passages. Good buoyancy is important: the swim-throughs are narrow enough that a careless fin kick damages coral or stirs sediment, so divers should keep their gauges and hoses tucked in and follow the guide in single file. With modest depths and a straightforward layout, it suits Open Water divers and is a fun, varied dive. It is often paired with a coral-garden site elsewhere on the reef on Passions' two-site days. Visibility is typically 12-20 m, and the swim-throughs are most photogenic around the middle of the day when light penetrates the passages.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
5 Ways (Moore Reef) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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 5 Ways (Moore 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 5 Ways (Moore 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
Juvenile reef fish, cardinalfish, glassfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, coral trout, sweetlips, Maori wrasse, turtles, whitetip reef sharks
Location
Passions of Paradise mooring on Moore Reef, about 47 km east of Cairns, over several bommies linked by five different swim-throughs.
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.audive-the-world.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.