Meet the site
Tennis Court takes its name from a level, open patch of white sand that looks like a court from the surface, ringed by coral bommies and reef. It is one of the nine named moorings on Flynn Reef and is used mainly by Pro Dive Cairns on its liveaboard itineraries, where it provides a change of pace from the walls and pinnacles elsewhere on the reef. The dive is essentially an edge dive: most of the interest is where the coral meets the sand. Blue-spotted lagoon rays and cowtail stingrays rest on the sand, garden eels sway in colonies further out, and goatfish and sand-sifting gobies work the bottom. Around the perimeter, bommies of hard coral host the usual Flynn mix of fusiliers, parrotfish, butterflyfish, damsels and coral trout, and turtles often rest on the sand or at the base of the coral. Moray eels are common in holes on the bommies. Because the site is open and fairly shallow it is bright, easy to navigate and good for divers working on buoyancy or navigation skills, and for photographers who want rays and sand-dwellers against a clean background. At night the sand comes alive with hunting cuttlefish, crabs and shrimp, and sleeping fish tuck into the bommies. It is not one of Flynn's headline sites, and published detail is thinner than for Coral Gardens or Tracey's, but it is a pleasant, relaxed dive and rounds out a multi-dive stay on the reef. Snorkellers can see rays and turtles from the surface in good light.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Tennis Court (Flynn Reef) 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 Tennis Court (Flynn 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 Tennis Court (Flynn 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
Blue-spotted lagoon rays, cowtail stingrays, garden eels, goatfish, gobies, turtles, moray eels, fusiliers, parrotfish, butterflyfish, coral trout
Location
Flat sandy area bordered by coral on Flynn Reef, about 57 km east of Cairns; one of the named Flynn moorings.
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
prodivecairns.comcairnsdiveadventures.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.