Meet the site
The Herald Cays are two small, vegetated sand cays in the central Coral Sea, part of the former Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve, now within the Coral Sea Marine Park and the Coringa-Herald and Lihou Reefs and Cays Ramsar Site. Marinelife.org.au describes the reserve, which also includes the Magdelaine Cays and Coringa Islets, as home to 745 species of molluscs and 400 species of fish, with green turtles nesting from November to April.
The cays are among the most isolated places in Australia. Parks Australia notes that the reserve holds the marine park's last remaining stands of Pisonia grandis forest, and North East Cay has been closed to the public to protect it. Seabirds nest in large numbers across the reserve.
Diving here is expedition diving in the truest sense. Specific dive sites are not named in the sources consulted.
The Herald Cays suit experienced, self-sufficient divers on well-equipped vessels. The main attractions are isolation, pristine habitat and wildlife, including turtles and seabirds, rather than any particular underwater feature. Visitors must follow Parks Australia's island access guideline, cleaning equipment and footwear, carrying no soil or seeds, and running vessel pest control, to protect the cays from introduced species.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Herald Cays is recorded as Island in Coral Sea. 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.
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 Herald Cays suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Herald Cays 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 (nesting Nov–Apr), reef sharks, groupers, trevally, diverse reef fish (about 400 species recorded in the reserve), molluscs (745 species), seabird colonies ashore
Location
Two vegetated cays on reefs in the former Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve in the central Coral Sea, roughly 350 km north-east of Townsville.
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.auaustralianmarineparks.gov.auaustralianmarineparks.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
