Queensland
Diving in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Mission Beach is the closest mainland point to the Great Barrier Reef, and day boats reach Beaver Reef, Eddy Reef and the Dunk Island fringing reefs in under an hour. The diving is quiet coral gardens and bommies with turtles and reef fish, without the Cairns crowds.
Dive sites in this region
ReefMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Beaver Reef
Mission Beach's main outer reef: an uncrowded green-zone reef with coral gardens, turtles and a shark-patrolled southern wall.
IslandMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Brook Islands
Some of the largest and oldest coral formations recorded on the reef, beside a huge pied imperial-pigeon colony.
IslandMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Dunk Island
An easy, scenic snorkel from national-park beaches 4 km off Mission Beach, with turtles and fringing coral.
ReefMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Eddy Reef
Eddy currents feed dense coral and bring Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays and barracuda to terraced walls and swim-throughs.
ReefMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Ellison Reef
A calm, shallow green-zone coral garden with abundant turtles – ideal for first-time reef divers and families.
WreckMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Lady Bowen wreck
An 1894 iron sailing ship, once a paddle steamer, sitting upright in 34 m and home to big groupers – the Cassowary Coast's…
Pinnacle/BommieMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Taylor Reef
Towering green-zone bommies with swim-throughs, barracuda and seasonal manta rays.
IslandMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Family Islands
Quiet national-park islands with shallow fringing reefs for boat-based or kayak snorkelling and camping.
Details need confirmationReefMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Nathan Reef (Innisfail)
Rarely visited outer reefs off Innisfail for self-sufficient boat divers.
Details need confirmationReefMission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Otter Reef
Rarely dived outer reefs off Hinchinbrook for self-sufficient boat divers.
Details need confirmation