FLINDERS REEF
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| Type of dive: |
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Coral Reef |
| Snorkelling: |
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Yes, beautiful coral gardens! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water |
| Access: |
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Boat only (90 minutes) |
| Depth: |
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5 – 30 metres (15-100’) |
| Visibility: |
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15 – 30 metres (50-100’) |
| Water temperature: |
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19 -26°C (66-79°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, can visit anytime |
Flinders Reef is a small isolated true coral reef, right on Brisbane’s doorstep.
Named after Matthew Flinders, one of Australia’s best-known explorers, Flinders Reef is a true coral reef boasting over 100 types of soft and hard coral; the highest number of coral species on the eastern Australian subtropical coastline.
The reef is located just five kilometres (3 mi) north-east of Moreton Island and was declared a fully protected marine sanctuary in 1998.
As well as the corals, Flinders Reef has a huge array of other invertebrate life including spectacular nudibranchs, numerous species of jellyfish, sea cucumbers, sea stars, clams and colourful Christmas tree worms.
It is also home to over 170 species of fish.
The plentiful fish life includes resident batfish, reef sharks, coral trout, schools of sweetlips, fusiliers and beautiful clown fish are abundant.
Huge silver trevally fish spirals, “fish tornados”, are not uncommon and provide scuba divers lucky enough to become part of the tornado an absolutely exhilarating experience.
Eagle rays and manta rays are regular seasonal visitors, as are humpback whales.
Many species of turtle can also be encountered on Flinders Reef.
Divers can experience spectacular coral-encrusted walls, gutters, pinnacles, caves, swim throughs and shallow untouched coral gardens in pristine condition.
A highlight for both snorkellers and scuba divers is a visit to one of numerous cleaning stations where green turtles lay quietly in the shallow coral while wrasse and surgeonfish provide their parasite removal service.
Scuba divers can also experience a spectacular dive on a nearby wreck known by two names, its original Australian Army name, “Crusader 2” and then the “Cementco” after it was purchased by Queensland Cement and Lime (QCL).
The Cementco was a retired 67 metre-long (220’) hopper barge destined to be an artificial reef but it floundered in rough weather in 1985 and now sits upside down in 25 metres (80’) of water. The wreck now provides a home for pelagic fish such as barracuda, mackerel and trevally.
Flinders Reef is truly one of Southern Queensland’s most under-rated dive locations.
Special thanks to Mike McKinnon of Scuba World & Steve Rosberg of Brisbane Scuba.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
Other great dives to do while you are there:
Ex-HMAS Brisbane, Wonderland, Butterfly and Clown Reef.
Local dive services:
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SCUBA WORLD |
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BRISBANE SCUBA |
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SUNREEF |
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SUBSURFACE SCUBA |
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Queensland
Nearest City:
Brisbane
Nearest Regional City:
Mooloolaba
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Brisbane
Nearest Regional Airport:
Sunshine Coast Airport
Road:
Brisbane to Mooloolaba:
1.5 hours (110 km/70 mi) via M1 Freeway
Bus:
From Brisbane
Train:
From Brisbane
Ferry:
Not relevant
THINGS TO DO
Whale watching
Fishing
Surfing
Sailing
Canoeing & Kayaking
Air Tours
Island Cruises
Ocean Rafting
Paddle Boarding
Jet Skiing