Best for advanced divers, 9-70m, boat entry, moderate current.
Herald Cays is a remote reef system in the Coral Sea featuring dramatic walls that drop from 9 metres to depths of 70 metres. The site is characterised by vertical topography, sponge gardens, and hard corals. Due to its exposure to open ocean swells and moderate currents, this site is strictly for advanced divers. Visibility is excellent, ranging from 30 to 60 metres. Access is exclusively by boat, and the extreme distance from recompression facilities requires all divers to be entirely self-sufficient. Surface marker buoys are essential for all ascents due to the potential for boat traffic in the area.
-17.05000, 149.18000
May through December gives you the best conditions, with calmer seas and a higher chance of minke whale activity in the cooler mid-year months. Always confirm your decompression gas requirements before descending on the wall sections.
Access is only possible via a multi-day liveaboard vessel, typically departing from Cairns, which is approximately 440km away. The Herald Cays are part of the remote Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve.
Expected in this region. No sightings logged here yet.
Depth
9-70m
Visibility
30-60m
Skill Level
Advanced
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
25-27°C
Current
Moderate
Best Time
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
No nearby dive sites found within 50km.
The site features depths ranging from 9 metres to 70 metres, with an average depth of 50 metres.
No, this site is intended for advanced divers only due to the deep profiles, strong currents, and extreme remoteness.
Herald Cays is located 200 kilometres from the shore and requires boat access.
The best conditions occur from May through December, which offer calmer seas.
Hazards include deep water, strong currents, surf, and the site's extreme remoteness from recompression facilities.
Diving at Herald Cays in Queensland requires the following certifications: Open Water. Always dive within your training limits.
A 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at Herald Cays in Queensland. Water temperatures range from 25°C to 27°C.
Expect moderate currents at Herald Cays in Queensland. Good buoyancy control and some drift diving experience is helpful.
Visibility at Herald Cays in Queensland typically ranges from 30 metres to 60 metres. Conditions vary with weather, tides, and seasons.
