Meet the site
The Pinnacles is one of the named moorings on Moore Reef listed by Australian Traveller, together with The Lagoon, Coral Gardens, The Drop Off, Shark Alley, Turtle Bay and 5 Ways. Cairns Dive Adventures counts sixteen moorings on Moore and describes it as a massive horseshoe-shaped reef, with a large deep wall on its eastern side, used by semi-submarines, and a protected western side for snorkelling. Published detail for the individual Pinnacles mooring is thin, so the pinnacle and drop-off moorings are described together here. The Pinnacles are coral towers rising from the reef slope, giving the vertical relief and shelter that concentrate fish, and The Drop Off and Shark Alley, as their names suggest, lie on steeper sections of the reef edge where whitetip and grey reef sharks patrol. Dive the World describes Moore's coral as rock formations covered in hard and soft corals, with staghorn thickets interspersed with gullies, and notes that the reef functions as a nursery for the surrounding area, with juvenile fish everywhere. Expect friendly Maori wrasse, which Moore is known for, large schools of jacks and trevally, turtles, juvenile barracuda, butterflyfish and angelfish in pairs, sweetlips, lionfish and nudibranchs, with plenty of macro subjects for photographers. Depths reach about 28 m at the base of the drop-offs, while the pinnacle tops are shallow enough for snorkellers. It is a sound, varied dive for all levels, but divers should expect the specific mooring to vary with the operator. Check with your operator which of these moorings they use. Visibility on Moore is typically 12-18 m, a little less than on the reefs further out, and the pinnacles are at their best on a rising tide when cleaner water floods across the reef from the east.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
The Pinnacles (Moore Reef) is recorded as Pinnacle/Bommie 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 The Pinnacles (Moore 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 The Pinnacles (Moore 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
Maori wrasse, trevally and jacks, whitetip and grey reef sharks, turtles, juvenile barracuda, butterflyfish, angelfish, sweetlips, lionfish, giant clams, nudibranchs
Location
Group of pinnacles and drop-off moorings on Moore Reef, about 47 km east of Cairns; Moore has 16 moorings used by pontoon and day-boat operators.
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
cairnsdiveadventures.com.auaustraliantraveller.comdive-the-world.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.