Blue Pools is a shallow dive on the northern edge of Heron Reef where wind and wave action have carved channels and gutters into the reef. The centrepiece is a sheltered pool roughly the size of an Olympic swimming pool, open to the ocean, which gives the site its name. Depths range from about 4 to 16 m, with the outer slope reaching 20 m.

The interesting topography creates plenty of places for animals to shelter. Turtles and wobbegong sharks rest beneath the ledges, whitetip reef sharks become active and patrol the channels at high tide, and cowtail stingrays feed on the sandy bottom. Small reef fish and invertebrates line the gutter walls, and batfish, snapper and groper are regular visitors around the pool.

Because it is shallow, sheltered and full of animals, Blue Pools is described by operators as a good dive for entry-level divers, and it is often used for newer divers early in a stay. More experienced divers enjoy it too, especially for photography in good light and for the reliable turtle and shark encounters. The combination of gutters, pool and reef slope makes the dive feel varied even at shallow depth.

Navigation is straightforward if you follow the guide through the channels and back to the mooring. Blue Pools is often dived as a pair with North Bommie, only about 100 m away, which offers a contrasting single-bommie cleaning station dive. As with all of Heron's northern sites, the best light and visibility usually come on the incoming tide, when clearer oceanic water pushes up onto the reef edge.

Heron Island is 72 km north-east of Gladstone. Fly or drive to Gladstone, then take the Heron Islander ferry from the Gladstone Marina terminal (72 Bryan Jordan Drive; check-in from 7:45 am, departs 9:30 am on scheduled days, about 2 hours), or transfer by seaplane or helicopter. Dive gear is carried on the ferry in addition to baggage.

On the island, the dive centre sits beside the harbour; boats leave the jetty for three dives daily and most Heron Reef sites are 5-15 minutes away. Blue Pools is on the northern side of Heron Reef, about 5-10 minutes from the jetty; dived from a mooring. North Bommie lies about 100 m to the north.

Heron Reef sites are chosen on the day by wind and tide. The prevailing south-east trade winds (strongest April-September, often 15-25 knots) make the southern and south-eastern reef edge rough, so the sheltered northern and western sites are dived most. Northerly winds in spring and summer reverse this.

The tidal range is up to 3-4 m and currents run strongly around the reef edge and through Wistari Channel on springs; visibility is usually best on the incoming tide. Cyclone season is November-April; summer storms and plankton blooms can drop visibility to 10 m. Stingers are uncommon this far south but present in summer.

The northern side is sheltered in south-easterlies; strong northerlies make the pool surgy. Whitetip reef sharks become more active at high tide.

Descend the mooring and follow the gutters into the pool, exploring its edges and ledges for wobbegongs and turtles. Exit to the reef slope and work along the channels at 8-14 m, then return to the mooring via the shallower reef for the safety stop.

Heron Island Resort Dive Centre is the only operator: three guided boat dives a day (about 9 am, 11 am and 3 pm) plus scheduled night dives, from the resort jetty; sites are rotated by tide and wind. Access requires a stay at Heron Island Resort (or the University of Queensland research station).