Meet the site
Bongaree Jetty was built in 1912, when the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company brought day-trippers by steamer from Brisbane to Bribie Island; it was the island's front door until the bridge opened in 1963 and remains a much-loved landmark on the Bongaree foreshore. It sits on the Pumicestone Passage, the narrow channel between Bribie Island and the mainland, and is primarily a fishing and sightseeing jetty. No dive-specific guide to the jetty was found during research, and it is best regarded as an occasional local shore dive. Like other South East Queensland jetties, the interest lies on and around the pylons, where oysters, sponges and ascidians provide shelter for small fish and invertebrates. Divers can expect bream, whiting, flathead and baitfish around the jetty, with the chance of nudibranchs, crabs, shrimps and octopus among the growth and debris, and rays on the sand. The Pumicestone Passage is also a feeding area for dugongs and turtles, and dolphins are regularly seen. Pelicans famously wait at the jetty for scraps from anglers. The key issue is the tide. The passage runs strongly, so dives must be timed around high-tide slack, when the water is also at its clearest. Visibility is generally modest, a few metres on a good day, and it deteriorates quickly on the ebb and after rain. With parking, cafes and parks immediately beside the jetty, it is an easy site to check out, but expectations should be kept modest. It suits local divers after a quick critter dive rather than visitors.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Bongaree Jetty (Bribie Island) is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Brisbane & Moreton Bay. The listed access is shore. 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
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 Bongaree Jetty (Bribie 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 Bongaree Jetty (Bribie 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
Bream, whiting, flathead, baitfish, rays, nudibranchs, crabs, shrimps, octopus; dugongs, turtles and dolphins in the passage; pelicans
Location
Historic 1912 jetty at Bongaree on the western (Pumicestone Passage) side of Bribie Island, about 1 hour 15 minutes north of Brisbane.
Facilities nearby
Foreshore parking under Norfolk pines, toilets, playgrounds, cafes and restaurants on Welsby Parade; no dive shop on the island confirmed – bring filled tanks.
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
weekendnotes.comaccessible.visitmoretonbayregion.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.