Meet the site
Banana Bommie is a Tusa Reef Tours site on Michaelmas Reef, which the operator describes as a well-protected coral patch behind a large sand cay. Tusa lists turtles, parrotfish, surgeonfish, reef sharks and manta rays among the marine life, and describes Michaelmas Reef as a whole as offering coral gardens and tranquil waters in a sheltered sandy lagoon protected from wind, suitable for both snorkelling and diving. The large sand cay referred to is Michaelmas Cay, whose seabird colony can be seen and heard from the mooring. Sheltered behind it, the bommie and its surrounding patch reef are calm on most trade-wind days, which gives Tusa a good option when the outer reefs are rough. The coral patch is a mix of hard corals, branching and plate forms, with soft corals and anemones, and the bommie provides a focal point for fish: schools of surgeonfish grazing across the coral, parrotfish scraping at it, and small reef sharks cruising the edges. Turtles are common on Michaelmas, and manta rays are occasionally seen passing along the reef, particularly in winter when they move through the Cairns reefs. The water is shallow to moderate in depth and there is little current, so the site suits snorkellers, introductory divers and Open Water divers alike. Because Michaelmas Reef is a Marine National Park (Green) Zone, fish are protected and relatively unafraid. Published depth information is not available, so the figures here are estimates, and exact coordinates for the bommie are not published. Visibility is typically 10-18 m.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Banana Bommie (Michaelmas 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 Banana Bommie (Michaelmas 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 Banana Bommie (Michaelmas 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
Turtles, parrotfish, surgeonfish, reef sharks, manta rays (occasional), anemonefish, damselfish, hard and soft corals
Location
Well-protected coral patch behind a large sand cay on Michaelmas Reef, about 40 km north-east of Cairns; a Tusa Reef Tours site.
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
tusareeftours.com.auparks.qld.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.