Brampton Island, in the Cumberland Islands National Park north of Mackay, was for decades a resort island. The Marine Life Network notes multiple attractive beaches and bays, shallow water, walking tracks and a public jetty, with snorkelling available in the shallows; the former resort is closed and was reported as being rebuilt. For divers and snorkellers, Brampton is a shallow-water destination rather than a dive site of depth or drama.

Fringing reef runs along parts of its shoreline, with hard corals and reef fish in 1–6 m, and the island's sheltered beaches make easy entries from an anchored boat. Turtles are common in the Cumberland Islands, and rays rest on the sand flats. Visibility is typical of the Mackay inshore islands – often 3–10 m – and the tide dominates conditions; Mackay's large tidal range exposes wide flats at low tide and drives currents between the islands.

The sources reviewed do not describe specific named dive sites around Brampton, so this is an area entry. It is best treated as a snorkelling and bushwalking island visited by private boat, with the option of shallow dives off the beaches. Neighbouring Carlisle Island lies across a narrow channel.

With no regular transport and no facilities while the resort is closed, visitors need to be self-sufficient. Check the status of the resort redevelopment and any access restrictions before planning a trip, and check national park camping rules on the QPWS website. For boaters, the combination of an easy snorkel, beaches and bushwalks makes it a pleasant day or overnight stop rather than a dedicated dive trip.

Boat only. Brampton Island lies about 32 km north-east of Mackay in the Cumberland Islands National Park. There is no regular ferry since the resort closed; access is by private boat or charter from Mackay Marina/Mackay Harbour (about 45–60 minutes) or from Seaforth.

The island has a public jetty, and boats can anchor off the sheltered western beaches. Bring all dive gear and fills from Mackay; the former resort is closed and was reported as being rebuilt.

Mackay has the largest tidal range on the Great Barrier Reef coast (springs exceed 6 m), so tidal streams around the Cumberland Islands and in passages such as Egremont Passage are strong and visibility is closely tied to the tide – dive neap tides at slack water. The south-east trades (15–25 knots April–September) make crossings rough; the calmest windows are the build-up months (September–December) and winter lulls. Visibility is typically 5–12 m inshore, often worse after wind or wet-season rain (January–April) from the Pioneer River and local creeks.

Marine stinger season (box jellyfish and Irukandji) runs roughly November to May – wear a full-length stinger suit or wetsuit with hood and gloves, carry vinegar. Cyclone season November–April; tropical lows and cyclones can close sites and damage coral (TC Yasi 2011, TC Debbie 2017). Cyclone Hamish (2009) and Cyclone Debbie (2017) affected reefs in the region.

Snorkel or shallow-dive the fringing reef off the beaches at mid to high tide, staying in 2–6 m and returning before the tide turns.

No regular dive-charter operator currently runs scheduled trips in the Mackay region; divers use private boats, club trips (local dive clubs) and occasional charter boats from Mackay Marina. Nearest dive shops and fills in Mackay.