Luncheon Bay offers an ideal introduction to the Great Barrier Reef, with calm conditions and a spectacular cast of marine life that keeps experienced divers coming back. The site sits in relatively shallow water between 3 and 15 metres, making it perfect for building confidence whilst exploring a healthy coral garden. Visibility ranges from 10 to 30 metres, giving you excellent views of the reef's residents. Watch for Maori wrasse gliding past with their distinctive patterns, often accompanied by curious batfish. Giant trevallies patrol the deeper sections whilst blue spotted rays rest on sandy patches between coral heads. Sea turtles frequently cruise through, and if you're lucky, manta rays appear in the blue. The coral formations shelter emperor angelfish, colourful nudibranchs, and moray eels peering from crevices. Barramundi cod often lurk in the shadows, their impressive size making them easy to spot once you know where to look. Mild currents make navigation straightforward, though you'll want to watch for jellyfish and mind the sharp coral edges. Charter boats operate year-round, with the best conditions from May through November. Guided tours are available if you'd prefer an expert to point out the site's highlights and ensure you don't miss the regular characters.

Butterfly Bay is a calm, accessible reef site suited to new divers and snorkellers. With no current and depths ranging from 5 to 20 metres, you can comfortably explore at your own pace without feeling rushed or out of your depth. Visibility runs from 2 to 10 metres depending on conditions, so choose a clear day for the best experience. The reef supports a variety of local reef species, giving beginners a genuine taste of Queensland's underwater world. Be aware of boat traffic in the area, stay close to your group, and always surface with your safety sausage visible.

Mackerel Bay is a shore entry reef site suited to beginners, offering shallow, calm waters that make it a comfortable introduction to reef snorkelling or diving. Conditions are generally gentle, though currents can vary, so it pays to check before you get in. Visibility shifts depending on weather and tides, so some days will be clearer than others. The reef is home to various reef species, giving new divers a genuine taste of Queensland's underwater world. Take care around the coral, as it can be sharp and easy to brush against in shallower sections.

Mantaray Bay is a reef dive suited to beginners, with the shallower sections sitting around 7 metres and deeper waters reaching 25 metres. Visibility typically runs between 7 and 16 metres, so you can usually get a clear look at the reef and the various reef species that call it home. Current here is mild, which makes it manageable for those still building confidence underwater. Entry is by boat, so keep an eye on vessel movement throughout your dive, as boat traffic is the main hazard to stay aware of. July and August are the only months best avoided.

Wrasse Bay takes its name from the Maori wrasse that frequent this site, and these large, curious fish are often the first thing you'll notice on the reef. Depths run from 3 to 18 metres, making it manageable for beginner divers, though the current can run moderate so it pays to stay close to your guide. Visibility ranges from 3 to 15 metres depending on conditions. Alongside the wrasse, you may encounter turtles, batfish, and giant trevally, with manta rays, blacktip reef sharks, and whitetip reef sharks also possible sightings. Jellyfish are present at times, so a full wetsuit is a sensible choice.

Mackerel Bay is a reef site that works well for beginner divers, with depths ranging from 1 to 20 metres and mild currents that keep things manageable. Visibility can reach up to 30 metres on a good day, though 2 metres is possible in poorer conditions, so timing matters. The reef is home to a solid mix of marine life, including angelfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, sweetlip, and groupers patrolling the coral. Turtles and rays make regular appearances, and reef sharks and mackerel move through the area too. Watch your hands around the coral as sharp edges are a genuine hazard, and keep an eye out for jellyfish.

Saba Bay is a shore entry reef dive in Queensland that suits beginners well, with depths running from the shallows at 1 metre down to around 15 metres. Visibility commonly reaches between 7 and 16 metres, giving you a clear look at the various reef species that make their home here. Currents can be variable, so check conditions before you get in and pick a calm day if you are new to diving. Watch where you put your hands and fins, as the coral is sharp and contact damages both you and the reef. July and August are the months to avoid if timing is flexible.

Cockatoo Point is a boat-access reef site in Queensland that works well for beginner divers, offering a mix of hard and soft corals across depths of 1 to 20 metres. The reef features staghorn, plate, boulder, brain, mosaic, and lunar corals alongside softer growth including mushroom and elephant ear varieties. Visibility runs from 5 to 15 metres, giving you a decent look at the structure below. Green and hawksbill turtles move through the area, and small reef fish are common throughout. Current can be moderate, so pick your timing carefully and stay close to your guide or buddy until you read how conditions are running on the day.