Meet the site
Angel Bommie is a Divers Den site on Hastings Reef, next door to Blue Lagoon. Divers Den describes a shallow sandy bay surrounded by coral, with staghorn coral covering the bottom and sea stars scattered throughout, and a shallow bommie to the south of the mooring whose far edge drops into deeper water. Banded angelfish, which presumably give the site its name, and anthias populate the area. It is an easy and attractive dive. The bay is shallow and bright, and the staghorn thickets on its floor are full of damselfish, chromis and juvenile fish that dart into the branches as divers pass. Blue linckia and other sea stars stand out against the sand and coral. The bommie provides the dive's focal point: its top is shallow enough for snorkellers, its sides are covered in hard and soft corals with anthias swarming around them, and on its far side the reef drops away so certified divers can go deeper. Hastings' broader residents, turtles, small reef sharks, butterflyfish, giant clams and schools of humphead parrotfish, may all be seen. The layout, shallow bay and nearby bommie make it well suited to new divers, snorkellers and training dives, while the deep edge adds interest for experienced divers. Because Blue Lagoon is adjacent, the two are sometimes combined on a single dive. Visibility is usually 12-20 m, and the bay is at its best on the top half of the tide. Blue Lagoon, the Divers Den site next door, adds coral terraces and walls if the group wants a longer swim.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Angel Bommie (Hastings 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 Angel Bommie (Hastings 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 Angel Bommie (Hastings 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
Banded angelfish, anthias, sea stars (including blue linckia), staghorn coral, damselfish, chromis, turtles, small reef sharks, butterflyfish, giant clams, humphead parrotfish
Location
Divers Den site adjacent to Blue Lagoon on Hastings Reef, about 50 km north-east of Cairns: a shallow sandy bay ringed by coral with a staghorn floor and a bommie to the south.
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
diversden.com.aucairnsdiveadventures.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.