Meet the site
Olive Point is the northern tip of Middle Island, a small national park island close to Great Keppel, and it offers a shallow coral garden dive that complements the old observatory site on the island's southern side. The site takes its name from the olive sea snakes that are seen here regularly and that are, as the local guides point out, harmless unless harassed. The coral gardens extend from the shoreline down to about 8 m, with a mix of branching, plate and massive corals interspersed with sand channels. Reef fish are plentiful, including damsels, wrasse, parrotfish and butterflyfish, and turtles are often seen resting on the bottom or feeding along the reef edge. The site is simple to navigate and stays shallow, making it well suited to new divers, refresher dives and snorkellers, and to long, relaxed dives with plenty of light for photography. Sea snakes will often approach divers out of curiosity, rising to look at their masks before returning to the bottom; the best approach is to keep still and let them lose interest. Olive Point is not one of the Keppels' showpiece dives, but it is a dependable reef in sheltered conditions and a good place to become comfortable with the region's snakes before visiting sites such as Egg Rock or Half Tide Rock, where they are also common. Divers who want a longer day can combine Olive Point with the observatory site on the opposite side of the island, since both are only minutes apart by boat and the two reefs show slightly different coral communities. The site also works as a snorkel from the boat on calm, clear days.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Olive Point (Middle Island) is recorded as Reef in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands. 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.
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 Olive Point (Middle Island) 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 Olive Point (Middle Island) 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
Olive sea snakes, turtles, branching and plate corals, damselfish, wrasse, parrotfish, butterflyfish, nudibranchs
Location
Shallow coral gardens (3-8 m) off Olive Point on the northern side of Middle Island near Great Keppel, named for the olive sea snakes regularly seen there.
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.auvisitcapricorn.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.