The Far Northern Outer Reefs stretch into the Coral Sea at the remote top end of the Great Barrier Reef, accessible only by liveaboard. All seven sites in our database are boat dives, ranging from shallow reef tops to walls that drop well past sport-diving depths. Visibility is consistently strong, often reaching forty metres or more, and water stays warm throughout the year. Sites include named walls such as Rainbow Wall, Cathedral Wall, and Mobula Wall, a challenging drift site called The Washing Machine, and the historic wreck of HMS Pandora. Whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, whale sharks, and pygmy seahorses have all been recorded here.
1 areas
Monthly water temperature across Far Northern Outer Reefs's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures are warmest from late spring through autumn and slightly cooler in the middle of the year, though they remain warm enough for a shortsuit year-round. The remote location and strong currents at sites like The Washing Machine mean most diving here suits intermediate to advanced divers, though shallower sections of the walls are accessible to beginners.
Water temperature around Far Northern Outer Reefs ranges from about 25°C in August to 29°C in January, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 29°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Far Northern Outer Reefs; in the coldest months (about 25°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 7 sites in Far Northern Outer Reefs (7 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
2 more sites to explore
