Diving in Mackay Reef

Mackay Reef sits on the outer Great Barrier Reef roughly thirty-eight kilometres from shore, accessed by boat from Port Douglas or the Cairns region. The reef runs from very shallow coral heads down to thirty metres, making it workable for beginners while still offering enough depth to interest more experienced divers. Visibility varies between fifteen and twenty-five metres and is generally at its best during the dry season from May through October. The site holds coral gardens across sloping terrain and supports species including whitetip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, green sea turtles, bluespotted fantail rays, and harlequin tuskfish, alongside smaller reef fish such as butterflyfish and parrotfish.