The Palm Islands and Hinchinbrook area sits within the Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coast near Townsville, where fringing reefs and outer coral cays are accessible by boat. Sites range from sheltered shallow reef at Hinchinbrook Island National Park and the Float Moorings at Pelorus Island to the stronger currents at the channel between Pelorus and Orpheus Islands, which suits drift diving. Kelso Reef and Brittomart Reef extend the options further offshore. Water is warm throughout the year and is at its coolest in mid-winter. Visibility is generally better during the dry season. Species recorded include green sea turtles, pygmy seahorses, hairy frogfish, whale sharks, and peacock mantis shrimp.
3 areas
1Boat-access shallow reef and seagrass site in the Townsville region with turtles, reef sharks, and seahorses in calm, warm water.
1A fringing reef wall and drop-off at Pelorus Island in the Palm Island group, accessible from shore with variable currents and beginner-friendly conditions.
1Intermediate reef, wall, and drift diving in the Palm Island group, driven by tidal currents through the channel between Orpheus and Pelorus Islands.
Monthly water temperature across Palm Islands and Hinchinbrook'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 to early autumn and drop to their lowest in mid-winter, though they remain comfortable for diving year-round. The dry season generally brings better visibility, and the stinger season requires divers to take appropriate precautions at some sites.
Water temperature around Palm Islands and Hinchinbrook ranges from about 23°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 Palm Islands and Hinchinbrook; in the coldest months (about 23°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 6 sites in Palm Islands and Hinchinbrook (5 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots), organised into 3 areas.
6 more sites to explore
