Meet the site
Four Mile Reef is a low patch of reef on sand roughly 3 nautical miles off the coast between Bargara and Elliott Heads. It is a modest site in terms of topography – the reef rises only a few metres above a sandy seafloor at about 13 m – but it has two things going for it. First, it usually has better visibility than the coastal shore dives, because it sits outside most of the runoff that clouds the inshore water after rain. Second, it lies on the path of the manta rays that move along the Bundaberg coast in winter, and marinelife.org.au lists mantas among its regular visitors.
Resident life is typical of the Bundaberg offshore reefs: cod, bannerfish, angelfish and butterflyfish around the reef, turtles resting and feeding, and rays on the surrounding sand. The low profile means the fish tend to stay close to the reef, so a slow circuit is more productive than swimming away across the sand. Sponges and soft corals cover much of the rock.
The site is not dived commercially on a regular basis and there is little published detail beyond the marinelife.org.au summary and the GPS mark. It is best treated as a local boat dive for divers with their own vessel, or an alternative on a calm day for a club charter. It is shallow enough for Open Water divers and gives long bottom times, and a winter visit on a clear day with a manta pass would be memorable. On an average day it is a pleasant, easy reef dive rather than a destination in itself.
Pair it with Hoffman's or Barolin Rocks for a shore dive in the afternoon, or with Cochrane Artificial Reef if you want a second boat dive with more structure.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Four Mile Reef (Bargara) is recorded as Reef in Bundaberg & Agnes Water. The listed access is boat. 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.
- 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 Four Mile Reef (Bargara) 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 Four Mile Reef (Bargara) 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
Cod, bannerfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, turtles, stingrays, sponges and soft corals, manta rays (winter)
Location
Low reef on sand about 3 nautical miles off the Bargara/Elliott Heads coast, with clearer water than the inshore sites.
Facilities nearby
Departure: Burnett Heads or Elliott Heads boat ramps (parking, toilets)
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.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.