80 Foot Reef takes its name from its depth – roughly 80 feet, or 22-25 m – and was named by the pioneers of the Southport Fish and Dive Centre, who have dived it for more than 20 years. It is a rocky reef of boulders, bommies and sandy patches, made mostly of coffee rock with a distinctive pink colouring from encrusting coralline growth. Gold Coast Dive Adventures notes that it is frequently visited by feeding dolphins, which follow the large schools of baitfish that gather over the reef.

The depth puts it in advanced open water territory, and bottom time is more limited than on the shallower Seaway reefs, but the reward is a site with abundant life and a slightly wilder feel. Among the boulders, divers find octopus, anemones with their anemonefish, nudibranchs, soft corals and feather stars, while wobbegong sharks rest in the gaps. Above, schools of baitfish swirl, and it is these that bring in the dolphins and sometimes larger predators.

Visibility is typically 8-20 m. Nitrox is useful to extend the dive at this depth. The coffee-rock structure has plenty of ledges and holes, so it rewards slow exploration rather than covering distance. 80 Foot Reef is a good choice for advanced divers wanting something deeper than the Scottish Prince and Gretas, and it pairs well with a shallow second dive on the wreck.

It is part of the cluster of local reefs off the Seaway that make the Gold Coast a year-round diving destination.

Boat access only. Gold Coast Dive Adventures departs Runaway Bay Marina (Bayview Street, Runaway Bay – parking, cafes, toilets), runs south down the Broadwater and out through the Gold Coast Seaway; the reefs off the Seaway and The Spit are 10-20 minutes from the marina. Private boats launch at the Seaway/Broadwater ramps (e.g.

Doug Jennings Park area, Southport, Runaway Bay) and must cross the Seaway entrance, which can be rough on an outgoing tide against an easterly swell. 80 Foot Reef is offshore near the Seaway entrance, about 15-20 minutes from Runaway Bay.

Offshore Gold Coast reefs sit in open water and are limited by swell and wind: easterly or south-easterly swell over about 1.5 m and south-east trade winds over 15-20 knots make the sites rough and stir up the bottom, while summer north-easterly sea breezes build through the afternoon. Visibility is typically 8-20 m, best after several days of southerly or westerly winds and in winter, and poor after heavy rain when the Nerang River and Broadwater outflow spreads along the coast. The Seaway crossing is safest on the incoming tide.

Descend to the reef at 22 m, explore the boulders and bommies, watching the water column for baitfish and dolphins, and keep a close eye on no-decompression time. Ascend on the line.

Nitrox recommended to extend bottom time.

Gold Coast Dive Adventures (Runaway Bay) – regular local reef dives for advanced divers.