Meet the site
Long Bommie is a satellite reef rising from about 25 m beside the main body of Opal Reef. Wavelength, which visits it for snorkelling, notes that it is being monitored for the recovery of its plate corals after cyclone damage, which makes it an interesting site for anyone curious about how the reef heals. Satellite reefs like this stand apart from the main reef, so they catch the tidal flow and attract fish. The bommie's sides and top were once covered in large plate corals; cyclones can shatter such plates, leaving rubble, but fast-growing Acropora species can recolonise within a few years if conditions are favourable. Divers visiting today can see the recovery in progress – young plates and branching colonies re-establishing on the old reef structure – alongside surviving massive corals, soft corals and sea fans. The fish life benefits from the bommie's isolation. Expect schools of fusiliers and anthias over the top, trevally and other predators hunting in the current, and reef sharks cruising around the base. Turtles are common on Opal and are frequently seen resting or feeding on bommies. The depth range – from near the surface to around 25 m – makes the site suitable for divers of all levels, with deeper sections for experienced divers and the top for snorkellers and beginners. Current can run past the bommie, so divers should be prepared to stay in its lee if necessary. Visibility is typically 15–30 m. Long Bommie is a good site for divers interested in reef ecology and recovery, and it offers the classic bommie dive profile – start deep, spiral up – that makes navigation straightforward. Ask the guides about the monitoring programme; Wavelength's marine biologists track changes at the site.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Long Bommie (Opal Reef) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie in Port Douglas. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Long Bommie (Opal Reef) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Long Bommie (Opal Reef) 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
Recovering plate and branching Acropora corals, massive corals, sea fans, fusiliers, anthias, trevally, reef sharks, turtles
Location
A 25 m satellite reef (bommie) off Opal Reef, being monitored for plate coral recovery after cyclone damage.
Facilities nearby
Departs Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Wharf Street, Port Douglas – car parking, toilets, cafes and restaurants at the marina; dive shops in town for gear hire and air
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
wavelength.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.