Meet the site
Pinnacle Reef is a private mooring about 1 km offshore from Green Island used exclusively by Ocean Free, a small sailing vessel operated by Cairns Premier Reef and Island Tours that carries a maximum of 25 guests. The operator describes a stunning coral garden with corals, clams, fish, stingrays and green and hawksbill turtles, and pairs it with a visit to Green Island on the same day. Because only one small boat uses the mooring, the site is quiet and the coral shows little diver damage, which is a contrast with the busier beach sites on Green Island itself. The reef consists of coral pinnacles and patches rising from a shallow sandy bottom, forming a coral garden that is ideal for snorkelling and for introductory and newly certified divers. Giant clams sit among the coral, blue-spotted stingrays rest on the sand, and turtles, both greens and the smaller, hook-beaked hawksbills, are regularly seen. The reef fish community includes parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish, butterflyfish and anemonefish. Depths are modest, and published detail on the site is limited to the operator's description, so the depths given here are estimates. Like other reefs close to Cairns, visibility is lower than on the outer reef, typically 8-15 m, and it drops after heavy rain. The site suits people who prefer a small-group sailing day with a relaxed pace over a large pontoon or fast catamaran. Exact coordinates of the mooring are not published. Stinger suits are advisable from November to May, as on all reefs near Cairns.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Pinnacle Reef (Green Island) is recorded as Reef in Cairns. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Pinnacle Reef (Green 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 Pinnacle Reef (Green 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
Green and hawksbill turtles, blue-spotted stingrays, giant clams, parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish, hard corals
Location
Private mooring about 1 km offshore from Green Island, 27 km north-east of Cairns, over a coral garden used exclusively by the Ocean Free sailing boat.
Facilities nearby
Departs Reef Fleet Terminal / Marlin Marina, Cairns: toilets, cafes, paid parking; dive gear, tanks and lunch supplied on board
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
cairnspremierreefislandtours.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.