Meet the site
Half Tide Rock is an outcrop off Great Keppel Island's northern coast that breaks the surface around mid tide, giving it its name. Underwater it forms a small rocky reef reaching about 12 m, draped in soft corals and dotted with anemones and their resident fish. The site's attraction is the density of colour on a compact structure. Soft corals grow thickly on the rock faces, and the anemones hold clownfish and anemone shrimp. Reef fish congregate around the rock, and olive sea snakes are frequent visitors, foraging in the cracks. The dive usually consists of circling the rock at a couple of depths, which makes navigation simple, but divers should be aware that the shallow top attracts surge when swell is running and that tidal flow along the north coast can pick up. It is best dived close to slack water in south-easterly conditions. Half Tide Rock suits Open Water divers comfortable with a bit of current and makes a good macro and soft-coral photography dive. It is less often visited than the southern and western sites, so it tends to feel quiet. It should not be confused with Halfway Island, south of Great Keppel, which older listings sometimes group with it. The rock is a navigation hazard for boats at mid to high tide, so dive boats approach carefully and anchor on sand some distance away. Because published information on this site is limited, divers should rely on the operator's briefing for current conditions, likely currents and the best side of the rock on the day.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Half Tide Rock (Great Keppel Island) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- 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 Half Tide Rock (Great Keppel 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 Half Tide Rock (Great Keppel 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
Soft corals, anemones, clownfish, anemone shrimp, reef fish, olive sea snakes, nudibranchs
Location
A rocky outcrop off Great Keppel Island's northern coast reaching about 12 m, covered in soft coral and anemones.
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.