Cairns (departure) / Horn Island (Torres Strait)
17 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Cairns (departure) / Horn Island (Torres Strait) →Queensland
Diving in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
North of Lizard Island the Great Barrier Reef is almost unvisited. Great Detached Reef, Raine Island (the world's largest green turtle rookery), Tijou Reef and the Cod Hole's remote northern equivalents are dived only by a few liveaboards each October and November, when the wind drops and the boats can make the long passage. Expect walls, big sharks, untouched coral and no other boats.
Custom YouDive mascot art inspired by Queensland. An imaginative illustration, not a photograph or map of this destination.
Your bearings, in a minute
Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait at a glance
Start with the local site mix, explore the map and find people to ask about your trip.
- Explore
- 24 site records
- Recorded settings
- Reef · Wall · Wreck
- Map coverage
- 24 locations to explore
- Plan with local help
- Meet the listed operators
Directory counts describe published records, not bookable trips. Location confidence is shown separately in the map list. How we check information →
Sources, authorship and review status
Prepared by YouDive editorial with AI assistance. No firsthand visit, equipment test or instructor review is implied.
Independent specialist review: pending. We publish a reviewer’s name, qualifications, date and exact review scope only after the review has actually happened.
Who can contribute and how reviews work →Find your bearings
Explore Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait on the map
Compare where the recorded sites sit, then open a site to read its access and source notes. Locations are for orientation, not marine navigation or entry instructions.
24 matching records · 24 with a map location · 0 without a usable position.
Aladdin's Cave (Far Northern GBR)
Reef · 5–40 m
Approximate area
Auriga Bay (Southern Small Detached Reef)
Reef · Not recorded
Approximate area
Big Woody (Great Detached / Wood Reef)
Reef · Not recorded
Approximate area
Boulder Reef (Cooktown)
Reef · 2–20 m
Approximate area
Cat Reef
Wall · 5–40 m
Approximate area
Catchers Mitt (Tijou / Cat Reef)
Reef · Not recorded
Approximate area
Creech Reef
Reef · Not recorded
Approximate area
Endeavour Reef
Reef · 2–20 m
Approximate area
Great Detached Reef
Wall · 5–40 m
Approximate area
HMAS Warrnambool wreck
Wreck · Up to 25 m
Approximate area
HMS Pandora wreck
Wreck · 30–33 m
Approximate area
Horn Island WWII sites
Aircraft Wreck · Not recorded
Approximate area
The local notebook
Where should you start in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Use the actual places attached to the local records to narrow your research. These are recorded nearby towns and areas, not verified departure points or accommodation recommendations.
Thursday Island / Horn Island
5 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Thursday Island / Horn Island →Cooktown
2 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Cooktown →Different outings to look into
| Local example | Recorded nearby place | Recorded access | Follow the evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horn Island WWII sites | Thursday Island / Horn Island | Shore or Boat | Recorded source ↗ |
| Three Mile Opening (TMO) | Cairns (departure) / Horn Island (Torres Strait) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Recorded source ↗ |
| The Pinnacles (Great Detached Reef) | Cairns (departure) / Horn Island (Torres Strait) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Aladdin's Cave (Far Northern GBR) | Cairns (departure) / Horn Island (Torres Strait) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Recorded source ↗ |
How to use this shortlist
Choose the named outing that interests you first. Compare its recorded place and access with your accommodation plans, then obtain the actual meeting address and schedule from the provider. The site links show the underlying depth, location confidence and source notes. Similar town names or map positions do not establish that two outings can be combined in a day.
A closer look at Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Get a feel for the diving
Our Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait directory currently includes 24 published site records. The largest recorded category is reef (11 records). Use the mix below to decide what you would like to read about first.
Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait: what’s in the directory?
A visual guide to recorded site types. Counts show coverage, not popularity or current availability.
Source: published YouDive directory records for Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait. Bars use the same scale within this graphic; the longest is the largest category, not 100% of the destination.
A few local records to compare
Start with Horn Island WWII sites, Three Mile Opening (TMO), The Pinnacles (Great Detached Reef). These are examples from different recorded categories, not a recommended route or a list of the best sites. Open each record for its sources, map and review notes.
| Site | Recorded type | Access | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horn Island WWII sites Details need confirmation | Aircraft Wreck | Shore or Boat | Depth not recorded |
| Three Mile Opening (TMO) Details need confirmation | Drift | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Depth not recorded |
| The Pinnacles (Great Detached Reef) Details need confirmation | Pinnacle/Bommie | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | 4–40 m |
| Aladdin's Cave (Far Northern GBR) Details need confirmation | Reef | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | 5–40 m |
How the recorded depths compare
A dot shows a recorded maximum. A line joins the recorded minimum and maximum when both are available. These are site descriptions, not target depths or certification limits.
The table above contains the same depth values. Depth alone cannot establish suitability, and records may require correction. Source: the linked site records.
Find your little corner of Queensland
A Queensland dive holiday starts with a more useful question than “Which reef?”: where will your actual day begin? Use the local records below to explore the setting, then connect that idea with a departure and the time you have available.
Choose the outing before the room
A mainland departure, an island stay and a multi-day boat trip have different rhythms. Write down the exact activity you want, who is joining and whether everyone plans to dive. Ask about meeting and return times before building accommodation and transfers around a promotional reef name. On a mixed trip, find out what non-divers can actually book on the same departure.
Give each day a job
Keep arrival, equipment fitting and your main diving outing visible as separate parts of the plan. If you hope to complete training during the trip, put the course schedule alongside the travel schedule. A free morning on a holiday calendar does not establish that a course session or reef departure will fit into it. Leave the unanswered details in your notes until the provider confirms them.
Make room for the unexpected
Compare the value of the whole outing, including guiding, equipment, meals and transfers. Ask what happens if the itinerary changes and which alternatives might be offered. That gives you something practical to compare between quotes. Seasonal research helps you choose dates; the actual departure still depends on current arrangements and the people operating the trip.
Three conversations worth having before you book
Mainland boat day
Which meeting point and return time apply?
Match transport to the actual departure.
Island-based stay
Which transfers and diving are separate bookings?
Keep each booking and payee visible.
Multi-day trip
Which sites are possibilities rather than promises?
Read the itinerary-change terms.
From “that looks lovely” to a plan
Make Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait your kind of dive trip
Find your starting point, meet the local options and keep your ideas together. You do not need to have the whole trip worked out yet.
Where are you on your diving journey?
I’m just getting started
Find out how a first course works, compare your options and get comfortable asking questions.
I’m ready to explore more
Connect your next outing with useful reading and a conversation about the right training and support.
I’m thinking about teaching
Explore the professional pathway and prepare better questions for a training centre.
These are learning paths to explore, not prerequisites for every local site. Confirm the actual course, instructor and your readiness with the provider.
People to talk to about Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
These profiles are based in the region or have a sourced link to one of its sites. Shown alphabetically, not as a quality ranking. Ask about the specific trip or course you want.
Listed in this region
Cooktown Reef Charters
Cooktown
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Source-linked to a site in this region
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
Cairns
A long-running expedition liveaboard operation associated with Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea itineraries, including minke whale season trips.
Meet this operator →Source-linked to a site in this region
Professional Dive Services
Brisbane
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Source-linked to a site in this region
Spirit of Freedom
Cairns
An expedition liveaboard associated with Ribbon Reefs, Osprey Reef and Coral Sea itineraries.
Meet this operator →Let’s put the pieces together
Start with the place and your questions. Add dates and prices once you have spoken with the people running the trip.
Open my trips
Creates a new trip with this destination, useful reading and starter questions. Saved on this browser; export a backup from My trips.
THE LOCAL PLANNING BRIEF
Understand the options around Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
What this regional directory records Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 24 published site records in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait. The recorded categories include reef (11), wall (4), wreck (4), aircraft wreck (2). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Use the Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait site cards to compare recorded access and depth, then open the individual pages for the map accuracy and source notes. Sites grouped in a region are not necessarily close enough to combine in one day.
Research operators in Queensland →Ask before booking
- Which port and vessel will run our trip?
- Is the named reef a likely itinerary or a confirmed destination?
- What changes if our island transfer or boat departure moves?
Save the answers with the contact name and date. Separate confirmed arrangements from items still waiting for a reply.
Record your trip questions →Questions, answered
How do I choose a dive in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 24 published records are research options, not a list of trips available today. Match the plan to your training, recent experience and the operator’s current requirements.
When should I visit Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait for diving?
Choose dates with a provider who runs the activity you want, then discuss seasonal patterns, recent conditions and alternative itineraries. A generic best-month claim cannot establish the conditions at your exact site or guarantee a wildlife encounter.
Can I use these maps to enter or navigate a dive site?
No. Recorded and approximate map positions support orientation only. Confirm the exact access, permissions, meeting point and route with the responsible local provider or manager.
Regional planning context: Tourism and Events Queensland — accessing the Great Barrier Reef ↗. Directory counts come from published YouDive records. Individual site claims remain subject to their source and review notes.
Dive sites in this region
Search within Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait, or narrow the list to a recorded dive type. Open a site for its map, sources and access notes.
24 matching site records. Listings do not confirm current access or availability.
QLD
Wreck
WreckFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
HMS Pandora wreck
The 1791 wreck of the Bounty-hunting frigate HMS Pandora – a permit-only historic shipwreck at 30–33 m.
QLDWreck
WreckFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
RMS Quetta wreck
A coral-encrusted 1890 royal mail steamer teeming with fish, often compared with the Yongala – dived only at slack water.
QLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Endeavour Reef
The reef where Cook's Endeavour ran aground in 1770 – a remote, historic mid-shelf reef off Cooktown.
QLDWall
WallFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Great Detached Reef
Remote 46 km shelf-edge reef system with steep gorgonian walls, pinnacles from 60 m and pristine coral.
QLDWreck
WreckFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
HMAS Warrnambool wreck
Intact 1947 WWII corvette on its port side in 25 m – the only RAN ship lost to a mine.
QLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Raine Island
The world's largest green turtle rookery – dozens of turtles per dive and a chance of tiger sharks on pristine outer reef.
QLDWall
WallFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Tijou Reef
Remote shelf-edge walls with large fans, soft corals and pelagics.
QLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Aladdin's Cave (Far Northern GBR)
Soft-coral walls and coral gardens, paired with the Stanley Island rock-art excursion.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Auriga Bay (Southern Small Detached Reef)
Sheltered checkout dive on Southern Small Detached Reef at the start of far-north expeditions.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Big Woody (Great Detached / Wood Reef)
Reef peninsula with a cave, soft-coral walls and a current-swept point.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Boulder Reef (Cooktown)
Almost undived reefs off Australia's closest mainland port to the Great Barrier Reef.
Details need confirmationQLDWall
WallFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Cat Reef
Remote fan-covered walls with pelagics beside Tijou Reef.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Catchers Mitt (Tijou / Cat Reef)
Hard-coral gullies full of fish on the remote Tijou/Cat reefs.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Creech Reef
Shelf-edge reef with upwellings drawing pelagics, sharks and mantas.
Details need confirmationQLDAircraft Wreck
Aircraft WreckFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Horn Island WWII sites
Scattered B-17 bomber debris in the tidal shallows off a WWII airfield – history rather than scenery.
Details need confirmationQLDAircraft Wreck
Aircraft WreckFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Japanese Zero wreck (Hammond Island)
A 1942 Japanese Zero fighter in 4 m off Hammond Island – rare WWII aviation history in the shallows.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Mantis Reef
Little-documented far-northern expedition reef.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Pirate's Cove (Far Northern GBR)
Soft-coral walls on a rarely visited far-northern reef.
Details need confirmationQLDWall
WallFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Pussy Galore (Tijou Reef)
A particularly beautiful fan- and whip-covered wall on the remote Tijou/Cat reefs.
Details need confirmationQLDPinnacle/Bommie
Pinnacle/BommieFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
The Pinnacles (Great Detached Reef)
Twin pinnacles from 60 m to 4 m and 14 m – silvertips, barracuda and a chance of whale sharks.
Details need confirmationQLDDrift
DriftFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Three Mile Opening (TMO)
Shelf-edge upwellings with schooling pelagics, sharks and mantas around a maze of bommies.
Details need confirmationQLDDrift
DriftFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Torres Strait Outer Reef Channels
Fast tidal channels and fringing reefs of the southern Torres Strait islands – experienced, locally guided diving only.
Details need confirmationQLDReef
ReefFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Turmoil (Great Detached Reef)
Vast hard coral fields sloping to 30 m on remote Great Detached Reef.
Details need confirmationQLDWreck
WreckFar Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Volga wreck
Rarely visited iron-ship debris field in the shallows, patrolled by schooling fish.
Details need confirmation