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Queensland · Reef

Credlin Reef

Mackay's best outer reef – walls, canyons and plateaus with barracuda schools, sharks and turtles in 15–25 m visibility.

MackayBoat (multi-day/liveaboard)
YouDive mascot illustration; not a photograph or site map

Mascot illustration — not a photograph or site map.

Depth
5–30 m
Certification
Advanced Open Water
Access
Boat (multi-day/liveaboard)
Dive type
Reef
Region
Mackay

Depth describes the recorded site range, not a recommended dive depth. Certification is a recorded recommendation; suitability depends on your planned route, training, experience and current conditions.

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Location & map

Approximate area

Area reference only. The exact dive location has not been confirmed. This map is for orientation, not marine navigation or an entry-point recommendation.

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Meet the site

Credlin Reef was, in the Marine Life Network's words, the 'most popular dive site of the Mackay region', with at least ten well-known dive sites, excellent visibility and excellent fish and invertebrate life. In its heyday it was served by day trips to a pontoon; today it is occasionally visited by charter vessels and liveaboards, and is dived as part of long-range trips from Mackay. Scuba Down Under describes the underwater terrain as dramatic coral walls, deep canyons and expansive plateaus, with vertical drops and steep slopes encrusted with hard and soft corals and natural channels that guide divers through the reef. Depths range from 10 to 30 m, visibility 15–25 m, and water temperature 24–28 °C. Big-fish life is a feature: white-tip and grey reef sharks, large schools of chevron or great barracuda, resident green and hawksbill turtles, and trevally, tuna and mackerel in the deeper channels. The reef was damaged by Cyclone Hamish in 2009, and the Marine Life Network reported it as recovering. Because it lies so far offshore, the main threats to a trip are weather and current rather than coral condition. Strong tidal and oceanic currents sweep the reef, and surface conditions can be rough given its exposure. Credlin suits Advanced divers comfortable with currents and depth. It is the Mackay region's best outer-reef dive, but with no regular operator it takes planning and a capable vessel to reach. For divers based in Mackay, it offers genuine outer-reef diving without travelling north to the Whitsundays.

What you might see

White-tip and grey reef sharks, chevron/great barracuda schools, green and hawksbill turtles, trevally, tuna, mackerel, coral trout, hard and soft corals

Location

Outer Great Barrier Reef reef about 100 km north-east of Mackay, historically the most popular dive reef of the Mackay region.

Facilities nearby

Departures from Mackay Marina / Mackay Harbour (fuel, parking, cafes). Nearest air fills in Mackay.

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

scubadownunder.commarinelife.org.au

Record updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.