Meet the site
Keswick Island is a largely national-park island in the South Cumberland group with a small residential settlement and a ferry link to Mackay. The Marine Life Network describes Connie Bay, near the ferry terminal, as having 'a good coral garden which is popular as a beginners dive', with various coral patches on a silty bottom and visibility often around 10 m. These are easy, shallow dives suited to newer divers and snorkellers: coral patches of hard and soft corals, reef fish, and chances of turtles and rays, with whales passing in winter. The silty bottom means good buoyancy control matters to keep visibility, and visibility itself depends on the tide – Mackay's large tidal range makes neap tides and slack water the best times. Nearby Wigton Island is also noted for coral gardens, and the Egremont Passage between Keswick and St Bees can offer drift snorkels for experienced swimmers, though currents there are strong. Keswick's appeal is its quiet: there is no dive shop, and divers need to bring their own gear and fills from Mackay, but the island offers independent shore diving from holiday accommodation. Ferry timetables determine how long visitors have on the island, so day-trippers should plan dives around the ferry and the tide together.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Keswick Island – Connie Bay & Basil Bay is recorded as Shore/Rock Platform in Mackay. The listed access is shore or 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.
- 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 Keswick Island – Connie Bay & Basil Bay 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 Keswick Island – Connie Bay & Basil Bay 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
Hard and soft coral patches, reef fish, turtles, rays, nudibranchs; humpback whales passing in winter
Location
Fringing coral gardens in the bays of Keswick Island, including Connie Bay near the ferry landing, a popular beginners' dive.
Facilities nearby
Mackay Marina and Mackay Harbour boat ramps (fuel, parking, cafes); Keswick Island has holiday houses and limited services; St Bees has a small private homestead area only. Air fills in Mackay.
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.