Meet the site
Alcyonaria Point takes its name from the old term for soft corals (Alcyonaria), and 100 Magic Miles confirms the name is apt: colourful soft corals grow on the wall at around 10 m. The guide describes a ledge that drops vertically into a wall penetrated by numerous gullies and small caves, reaching about 18 m, with large wrasse, cod and sweetlips among the fish life and visibility of 3–15 m. It is one of the more structured dives among the Hook Island fringing reefs. The shallow ledge, dominated by plate corals, is excellent snorkelling when the current is slack; below, the wall and its gullies give divers vertical relief and places to look for crayfish, eels and resting fish. The soft coral band at 10 m is the photographic highlight. The drawbacks are current and anchoring. The guide warns that current becomes a problem at mid-tide, and the drop-off makes anchoring difficult, so boats usually drop and collect divers. The site is exposed to northerlies and to strong south-easterlies. For Open Water divers comfortable with a little current, Alcyonaria Point is a rewarding wall dive and a change from the sandy bays; for snorkellers, the plate-coral ledge is superb on the right tide. Its exact position on Hook Island is not given in the source, and coral condition after Cyclone Debbie has not been documented, so confirm details with operators. As at most Whitsunday wall sites, a surface marker buoy is sensible: if the current picks up, divers can drift along the wall, deploy the buoy and be collected by the boat rather than fighting back to a fixed point.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Alcyonaria Point (Hook Island) is recorded as Wall in Whitsundays & Bowen. 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.
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 Alcyonaria Point (Hook Island) 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 Alcyonaria Point (Hook Island) 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
Soft corals (alcyonarians), plate corals, large wrasse including Maori wrasse, cod, sweetlips, crayfish, moray eels, reef fish
Location
Headland on Hook Island where a vertical ledge and wall, cut by gullies and small caves, drops to 18 m with colourful soft corals at 10 m.
Facilities nearby
Departures from Coral Sea Marina and Port of Airlie (Airlie Beach) and Hamilton Island marina; air fills, hire and courses at Airlie Beach dive centres. No facilities at the bays.
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
100magicmiles.com100magicmiles.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.