

Flare Point combines reef, wall, and pinnacle diving in a single site, giving intermediate divers plenty to work with across a depth range of 5 to 35 metres. Visibility here regularly runs 20 to 30 metres, so you get a clear read on the terrain before committing to depth. A mild drift current does most of the work, carrying you past fan corals where anemonefish shelter and sweetlips hang in loose groups. White tip reef sharks and eagle rays use the deeper sections of the wall, while cuttlefish and mantis shrimp reward slower, more methodical divers along the shallower reef. Turtles and moray eels appear throughout. Boat traffic is a genuine consideration on ascent, so a surface marker buoy is non-negotiable.
-15.50180, 145.78800
The site dives best between April and November when conditions are most settled. Brief your group on the depth before entry as it is easy to drift deeper than planned when the wall drops away and visibility is this good.
Flare Point is a remote offshore site on the Great Barrier Reef, typically accessed via multi-day liveaboard dive boats departing from Cairns or Port Douglas. Operators like Spirit of Freedom and Mike Ball Dive Expeditions visit this site.
As an offshore reef, divers should be aware of boat traffic from liveaboards. While shark encounters are a highlight, standard safety procedures should be followed.
Depth
5-35m
Visibility
15-30m
Skill Level
Intermediate
Entry
Boat
Boat required
Water Temp
24-30°C
Current
Mild
Typical Dive
72 min
Best Time
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Flare Point in Port Douglas, Queensland offers diving from 5 metres to 35 metres depth. The substantial depth variation allows divers to explore shallow reef sections before progressing to deeper wall formations. This depth range makes the site suitable for multi-level dive profiles with appropriate decompression planning.
Flare Point requires a minimum of Open Water certification for shallow sections, though Advanced Open Water certification is necessary to safely access the full depth range to 35 metres. The site's intermediate skill level and depth variations make it unsuitable for newly certified divers. Most local dive operators will verify certification levels before allowing access to deeper areas.
Flare Point hosts diverse marine species including white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, green turtles, and moray eels. Smaller macro life such as cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, and colourful sweetlips are commonly observed on the reef structure. Unicorn fish are frequently encountered in schools around the site's coral formations.
The optimal diving season at Flare Point runs from April through November, covering the Australian autumn, winter, and spring months. During this period, water temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C with visibility consistently between 20 and 30 metres. These months offer the most stable weather conditions and clearest water for the Port Douglas region.
Flare Point is accessed exclusively by boat from Port Douglas, with local charter operators providing regular trips to the site. The boat entry eliminates shore-based access challenges and allows divers to conserve energy for the dive itself. Charter services typically include all boat facilities and guided tour options.
Flare Point is classified as an intermediate dive site and is not recommended for beginners due to its maximum depth of 35 metres and boat traffic considerations. The site requires solid buoyancy control and comfort with multi-level diving at depth. Newly certified Open Water divers should gain additional experience at shallower sites before attempting Flare Point.
Flare Point presents three primary hazards: boat traffic at the surface, the presence of sharks (though white tip reef sharks are generally non-aggressive), and the deep maximum depth of 35 metres requiring careful dive planning. Divers must deploy safety sausages during ascent due to boat activity and monitor their no-decompression limits at depth. The site's offshore location means divers should maintain awareness of current conditions throughout the dive.
A 3mm wetsuit is recommended for diving at Flare Point in Port Douglas. Water temperatures range from 24°C to 30°C.
Flare Point in Port Douglas has depths ranging from 5 metres to 35 metres.
A typical dive at Flare Point in Port Douglas lasts approximately 72 minutes. Actual dive time depends on depth, air consumption, and conditions.