Meet the site
Fitzroy Reef is the largest reef in the Bunker Group, a 3,650-hectare drying ring reef enclosing a large, deep lagoon of 6-10 m. The lagoon is navigable by yachts through a narrow entrance, and it is one of the most popular anchorages in the southern Great Barrier Reef for cruising boats seeking shelter. For divers, it offers around a dozen sites of varying depth and difficulty, from novice to experienced. Named sites in the lagoon include The Keyhole, Sharky Ledge, Rainbow Wall and Neil's Peak, and the sheltered Blue Lagoon area, about 6 m deep, has plenty of small bommies with nudibranchs, cod, shrimp, seahorses, clownfish, lionfish, groupers, eels and schools of fish. The lagoon and reef flat are important feeding areas for turtles, supporting an estimated 1,000 green, 100 hawksbill and 100 loggerhead turtles. The lagoon diving is shallow and sheltered, ideal for relaxed dives and snorkelling directly from an anchored boat. Outside the lagoon, the reef edge offers deeper sites, and the south-east gardens (a separate entry) have been used as a shallow second dive by trips from Heron Island. The remains of a historic steamer, thought to be the SS Pacific (1903), lie on the reef flat in the south-west corner and are more a reef walk than a dive. Fitzroy suits divers of all levels on a private or chartered boat, and it is an ideal base for exploring the northern Bunker reefs. The entrance must be negotiated with care and good light. Anchor on sand patches, never on coral.
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 Reef Lagoon is recorded as Reef in Lady Musgrave & Bunker Group. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). 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.
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 Reef Lagoon 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 Reef Lagoon 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, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (about 1,200 resident), nudibranchs, cod, shrimp, seahorses, clownfish, lionfish, groupers, eels, schooling fish, reef sharks, manta rays (outer edges)
Location
The largest reef in the Bunker Group (3,650 ha drying ring reef) with a large, navigable 6-10 m lagoon holding about 12 dive sites, including the sheltered Blue Lagoon; a major turtle feeding area.
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
marinelife.org.auladymusgraveexperience.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.