Meet the site
Hutchison Shoal is one of the northern Moreton reefs that few divers ever get to see, because it demands the kind of calm, clear day that South East Queensland only delivers a handful of times a year. Supercat Charters describes it as surrounded by deep and spectacular drop-offs, caves and ravines, rising from about 30 m to within 3 m of the surface, and says it requires nearly perfect weather conditions. Nigel Marsh groups it with Roberts Shoal, Brennan Shoal and Gotham City as the northern reefs, noting strong currents and depths suited to advanced divers. The shoal's appeal is its topography and its fish. Drop-offs and ravines cut into the reef, with caves where wobbegongs and crayfish shelter, and the open-ocean position brings masses of pelagic fish: trevally, kingfish, mackerel and barracuda schooling off the edges. Tropical growth on the shallower rock supports reef fish and smaller life such as nudibranchs. Visibility is typically 15-30 m. Because it is rarely visited, Hutchison is lightly fished by divers' standards and the fish are less wary than at busier sites. For most divers it is a special-occasion dive: something to book onto when an operator announces a northern reefs day in a winter high-pressure system, rather than a site to plan around. Private-boat divers need local marks, a good forecast and experience in currents. For divers based in Brisbane, it sits in the same family as Roberts and Brennan shoals to the south: granite and coffee-rock structure, open-ocean exposure and a fish population that reflects the lack of pressure. It is best dived as a first, deeper dive of the day, followed by a shallower reef such as Flinders on the way home.
What you might see
Schooling pelagics (trevally, kingfish, mackerel, barracuda), wobbegongs, crayfish, reef fish, nudibranchs, tropical corals and sponges
Location
Offshore shoal north-east of Cape Moreton surrounded by deep drop-offs, caves and ravines, one of the northern Moreton reefs.
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Manly or Scarborough boat harbours.
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
supercatcharters.com.aumarinelife.org.aunigelmarshphotography.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.