Meet the site
Yanks Jetty on the western side of Orpheus Island has a Second World War story: it served as a degaussing station, where allied ships were demagnetised to protect them from magnetic mines. Today the old jetty, with a pontoon-supported floating section, sits at the northern end of the beach below Hazard Bay beside a QPWS campground, and it is one of the most accessible dives in the Palm group. The North Queensland Underwater Explorers Club describes depths of 4–8 m under and around the jetty, depending on the tide. Resident fish have grown inquisitive through years of visitors – fusiliers, jacks, diamond fish and sergeant majors crowd around the pylons – and within 50 m of the jetty lie coral bommies, anemones with their fish, and giant clams. The jetty structure itself is encrusted with sponges and corals and offers shade that attracts schooling fish. Because it is so easy to reach – a beach entry for campers and a short hop for boats – Yanks Jetty is popular with day-trippers, campers and guests from Orpheus Island Lodge, which runs snorkelling and introductory dives in the island's shallows. It is a sheltered site in the typical south-east trades, with little current, and suits snorkellers, children and new divers. Zoning is Marine National Park, with the Conservation Park zone starting at Hazard Bay, so check the boundaries before fishing, and watch for no-anchoring areas. It is best at mid to high tide, when the extra water makes the jetty and bommies easier to explore. For anyone camping on Orpheus, it is the obvious night dive, with crustaceans and sleeping fish around the pylons.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Yanks Jetty (Orpheus Island) is recorded as Jetty/Pier in Townsville & Magnetic Island. The listed access is shore or boat. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
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 Yanks Jetty (Orpheus Island) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Yanks Jetty (Orpheus 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
Fusiliers, jacks, diamond fish, sergeant majors, giant clams, anemones and anemonefish, coral bommies, sponges
Location
Old jetty with a pontoon-supported floating section at the northern end of the beach below Hazard Bay on Orpheus Island's western side.
Facilities nearby
Yanks Jetty QPWS campground (composting toilet, tables, gas BBQ; camping permit required). No facilities on Pelorus (self-sufficient bush camping). Orpheus Island has three QPWS campgrounds (composting toilets, tables, gas BBQs), the luxury Orpheus Island Lodge (guests only) and the James Cook University research station (not open to the public). Nearest air fills in Townsville (Adrenalin, Pleasure Divers) or at the lodge for guests.
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
nquec.org.auorpheus.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
