Meet the site
Fitzroy Island is a steep, rainforest-covered continental island about 29 km from Cairns and only 4 km off the mainland, and it is the only reef island near Cairns where certified divers can simply walk in from the beach and dive the fringing reef. Welcome Bay, on the sheltered western side where the ferries arrive, has the resort, the jetty, the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and the island's dive shop, run by Cairns Dive Centre, which hires full gear to certified divers and offers guided beach dives, introductory dives and PADI courses. Its website highlights abundant macro life and seasonal sightings of manta rays, humpback whales and schooling barracuda. The reef in the bay is a typical inshore fringing reef: seagrass and sand close to the beach, where green turtles graze, giving way to a coral fringe with hard and soft corals and a gentle slope into deeper water. Snorkel guides note that the coral nearest the beach has suffered some damage and that the bay is best at high tide. Clownfish, parrotfish, wrasse, rays and turtles are the most common sightings, and Fitzroy has a giant-clam research history, so clams are well represented. Because the island is close to the mainland, visibility is modest, often 5-10 m, and it drops after rain. The site's strengths are access and flexibility: no boat, unlimited time and the chance to dive several times a day during a stay. It suits new divers, snorkellers and anyone wanting a relaxed, independent shore dive in the tropics. White Rock and Nudey Beach, the island's other shore sites, have their own entries.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Fitzroy Island is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Cairns. 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.
- 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 Fitzroy 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 Fitzroy 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
Green turtles, clownfish, parrotfish, wrasse, rays, giant clams, reef fish, soft and hard corals; manta rays, humpback whales (winter) and barracuda schools seasonally
Location
Fringing reef in Welcome Bay on the sheltered western side of Fitzroy Island, a continental island about 29 km south-east of Cairns (4 km off the mainland); shore dives from the main beach beside the resort and jetty.
Facilities nearby
Fitzroy Island Resort: dive shop (Cairns Dive Centre), gear hire, toilets, showers, cafe, bar, restaurant, camping ground, Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, snorkel and stinger-suit hire (Fitzroy Island Sports Hub)
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
cairnsdive.com.auen.wikipedia.orgcuriouscampers.com.ausunlover.com.augreatbarrierreefdiving.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.