Queensland
Diving in Hervey Bay & K'gari
Hervey Bay is famous for humpback whales from July to October and, for divers, for the artificial reefs and wrecks off Urangan, the Roy Rufus reef and the coral around Big Woody and Round islands. K'gari (Fraser Island) has the Maheno wreck on the beach and surf-side reefs for the adventurous.
THE LOCAL PLANNING BRIEF
Understand the options around Hervey Bay & K'gari
What this regional directory records Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 14 published site records in Hervey Bay & K'gari. The recorded categories include wreck (7), artificial reef (3), reef (2), island (1). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Use the Hervey Bay & K'gari 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 Hervey Bay & K'gari?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 14 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 Hervey Bay & K'gari 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
WreckHervey Bay & K'gari
ex-HMAS Tobruk
Australia's largest military dive wreck – a 127 m landing ship lying on her side, with the shallowest point at 11 m for Open…
Shore/Rock PlatformHervey Bay & K'gari
Gatakers Reef (Point Vernon)
Hervey Bay's easiest shore dive and snorkel: a shallow, coral-rich fringing reef minutes from town.
Artificial ReefHervey Bay & K'gari
Hardie Artificial Reef
Concrete habitat modules near Little Woody Island and K'gari, with schooling fish and resident cod in 10-16 m.
ReefHervey Bay & K'gari
Rooney Point Snail Mounds (K'gari)
Rare vermetid snail mounds at 28-32 m off K'gari's north-western tip, riddled with holes and full of fish – identified in 1988…
Artificial ReefHervey Bay & K'gari
Roy Rufus Artificial Reef
Hervey Bay's signature dive: historic hulls, barges and car bodies scattered over about 3 km² off Big Woody Island, three ships…
Artificial ReefHervey Bay & K'gari
Simpson Artificial Reef
Five clusters of 24-tonne concrete habitat modules in 10-16 m – a modern fish-attracting reef 7 nm from Urangan.
WreckHervey Bay & K'gari
Three Ships (Roy Rufus Artificial Reef)
Three historic hulls (Otter, Pelican, Lass O'Gowrie) linked by picket lines at 14-17 m – see all three in one dive.
IslandHervey Bay & K'gari
Big Woody Island Fringing Reef
Sheltered shallow fringes of the island beside the Roy Rufus reef – an easy, low-key second dive.
Details need confirmationWreckHervey Bay & K'gari
Chang Chow Wreck (K'gari)
The buried remains of an 82 m steamer lost in 1884 with Chinese passengers – a K'gari history site rather than a regular dive.
Details need confirmationWreckHervey Bay & K'gari
Goori Wreck (Roy Rufus Artificial Reef)
A single, well-encrusted hull at 16 m – a quieter alternative to the 3 Ships cluster.
Details need confirmationWreckHervey Bay & K'gari
K'gari Wreck (Roy Rufus Artificial Reef)
The broken, heavily encrusted hull of the 1897 K'gari at 16 m on Hervey Bay's historic artificial reef.
Details need confirmationWreckHervey Bay & K'gari
Marloo Wreck (K'gari)
Buried remains of a steamer beached in 1914 after striking Sandy Cape Shoal – a K'gari maritime-history site, seldom visible.
Details need confirmationReefHervey Bay & K'gari
Moon Ledge
Hervey Bay's best natural reef: a long coffee-rock ledge from 10 m to 21 m+ with caves, boulders, eroded spires and big cod.
Details need confirmationWreckHervey Bay & K'gari
Steel Barge S4 (Big Woody Island)
A small steel barge in 12 m north of Big Woody Island – a short, shallow second dive.
Details need confirmation