Meet the site
Three Sisters on Michaelmas Reef is a Silverswift site and is not to be confused with the better-known Three Sisters on Milln Reef. Silverseries describes three isolated coral outcrops, bommies, that rise to the surface like a city skyline, located at the back of the reef and separated from the main lagoon, with depths to 15-20 m and visibility of 15-20 m. The image of a skyline is apt: from below, the three towers stand up from the reef slope into the bright surface water, with space between them for fish to school. Schools of barracuda and trevally, and sharks, patrol around the bommies, and in the deeper areas coral trout and snapper hold station near the base. On the bommie faces, branching and plate corals and extensive hard-coral cover host nudibranchs, sea stars and moray eels, which peer from holes. Because the bommies are separated from the main lagoon, the water around them tends to be clearer than in the lagoon itself, and the site feels more like an outer-reef dive than its location, closer to Cairns than the outer reefs, might suggest. Michaelmas Reef is a Marine National Park (Green) Zone, so fish populations are protected from fishing. The dive is straightforward: circling each of the three towers in turn, with depths easily adjusted to the group. It suits Open Water divers and is a good option when operators want a more sheltered or closer site than Flynn or Milln. The bommie tops, reaching the surface, can be seen by snorkellers in calm conditions.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Three Sisters (Michaelmas 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 Three Sisters (Michaelmas 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 Three Sisters (Michaelmas 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
Barracuda schools, trevally, reef sharks, coral trout, snapper, nudibranchs, sea stars, moray eels, branching and plate corals
Location
Three isolated bommies rising to the surface 'like a city skyline' at the back of Michaelmas Reef, separated from the main lagoon, about 40 km north-east of Cairns.
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
silverseries.com.auparks.qld.gov.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.