COOK ISLAND AQUATIC RESERVE
|
| Type of dive: |
|
Reef |
| Snorkelling: |
|
Yes, turtles everywhere! |
| Scuba: |
|
Open Water |
| Access: |
|
Boat only (45 minutes) |
| Depth: |
|
5 – 20 metres (15-65’) |
| Visibility: |
|
6 – 20 metres (20-65’) |
| Water temperature: |
|
18 – 26°C (64-80°F) |
| Seasonal: |
|
No, can visit anytime |
Over 300 sea turtles call Cook Island home!
Cook Island, located around 600 metres (660 yd) east of Fingal Head, has also been called Cooks Island, Turtle Island, and Joong-urra-narrian in indigenous language.
The island has been protected since 1959 and was included in the Cook Island Nature Reserve in 1967.
To protect the marine life in the waters around the island, it was declared an aquatic reserve in 1998.
Cook Island was formed by lava flows approximately 20 million years ago and the eroded basalt island is 25 metres (80’) above sea level with a plateau atop.
The island supports a large population of nesting seabirds and is visited by humpback whales during the whale migration season.
The complex rocky reefs below water are the home of an abundant number of temperate, subtropical and tropical marine life, many of which are threatened or protected species.
The reserve’s protected and endangered species include Queensland groper, black rock cod, gold spotted rock cod (estuary cod) and grey nurse shark in winter.
A highlight of Cook Island is the resident population of several hundred marine turtles including green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles and loggerhead sea turtles. There are literally turtles everywhere!
Other marine life includes a large variety of coral, colourful nudibranchs and a plethora of tropical fish.
During the summer months divers will encounter migrating manta rays and leopard sharks.
Special thanks to the Gold Coast Dive Adventures Team.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE YOU ARE THERE
Northern Wall, Turtle Sanctuary, Mary’s Rock, Fido’s Reef, Coral Gardens, Wonder Reef and the Scottish Prince wreck. Bullseye
2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.
DIVE SERVICES
GOLD COAST DIVE ADVENTURES
247 Bayview Street
Runaway Bay Qld 4216
+61 (0) 404 286 599
info@goldcoastdiveadventures.com.au
www.goldcoastdiveadventures.com.au
GOLD COAST DIVE CENTRE
Unit 2 54/56 Paradise Avenue
Miami QLD 4220
+61 (0) 7 5572 0511
goldcoastdivecentre@gmail.com
www.goldcoastdivecentre.com.au
KIRRA DIVE “onthetweed”
Unit1/133 Wharf Street
Tweed Heads NSW 2485
+61 (7) 5536 6622
dive@kirradive.com
www.kirradive.com
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
WATER TEMPERATURES: 
LOCATION
State or Territory:
New South Wales
Nearest City:
Brisbane
Nearest Regional City:
Surfers Paradise
Nearest Town:
Tweed Heads
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Brisbane/Gold Coast
Nearest Regional Airport:
Gold Coast
Road:
Brisbane to Tweed Heads:
Just over 2 hours (100 km/60 mi) via M1
Sydney to Tweed Heads:
Just over 8 hours (800 km/500 mi) via Pacific Highway/A1 & M1
Bus:
From Brisbane and Sydney
Train:
Not relevant
Ferry:
Not relevant
