Meet the site
North Bay is described by Scuba IQ as always a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its shallow coral garden for beginners and a stunning drift along the outer reef wall for more experienced divers. It is one of the Agincourt sites that caters to a mixed group – snorkellers, discover-scuba participants and certified divers can all find something to enjoy. The shallow garden is a sheltered bay of hard corals, anemones and small bommies in water just a few metres deep, flooded with light. This is where introductory divers take their first breaths underwater and snorkellers float over clownfish, parrotfish and giant clams. The outer wall offers a different experience. When the tide is running along the reef, guides take certified divers on a drift along the wall, which drops away into deeper water. The current brings plankton and fish: fusiliers stream along the face, trevally hunt, and reef sharks and turtles are common sightings. Drift diving allows you to cover a long stretch of reef with little effort, but requires good buoyancy control and staying close to the guide. Scuba IQ does not publish depths. The garden is shallow (around 3–8 m), while the wall drift is normally run in the 10–18 m band. Visibility is typically 15–30 m. North Bay's flexibility makes it a popular choice for Scuba IQ's small-group trips, which often include a mix of experience levels. It suits everyone from beginners to experienced divers looking for an easy drift on the outer reef. On a typical Scuba IQ day it is used as the first or last of three dives, when the group splits between the garden and the wall.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
North Bay (Agincourt Reef) is recorded as Reef 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.
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 North Bay (Agincourt Reef) 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 North Bay (Agincourt 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
Clownfish, giant clams, parrotfish, fusiliers, trevally, reef sharks, turtles, hard corals
Location
An Agincourt site with a shallow coral garden for beginners and the option of a drift along the outer reef wall.
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
scubaiq.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.