Child Island is the smaller of the Barren Island pair and is often combined with The Gulch drift, but its sheltered side makes a good dive in its own right. Big granite boulders tumble from the island into 10-18 m of water, creating swim-throughs, arches and shaded gaps where soft corals, sponges and small gorgonians grow. Between the boulders are gardens of hard coral, and the reef slopes gently enough to allow a relaxed, meandering profile.

Divers regularly report good nudibranch finds, cleaner shrimp in the crevices, and a healthy mix of reef fish including coral trout, sweetlips, angelfish and schools of fusiliers. Eagle rays often glide past along the sand edge, and because the island is close to deep water, trevally and mackerel sometimes come in from the channel. The seaward side of Child Island forms part of the Barren and Child 'deep site' where ledges step down to 30 m, so the island offers something for most levels depending on where the boat anchors.

Child Island suits Open Water divers comfortable with a little current and photographers looking for structure and texture; the boulder swim-throughs are short and open, with no real overhead risk. It is one of the more scenic dives in the outer Keppels and a good choice when conditions at the more exposed ledges are marginal. Child Island sits within the Woppaburra traditional sea country of the Keppel islands, and like the rest of the outer Keppels it sees few divers in a year, so the reef has a quiet, rarely disturbed character.

Ask the operator which side they intend to anchor on, since the seaward and sheltered faces are quite different dives, and bring a torch for the shaded gaps between the boulders where colour is otherwise lost.

Drive 40 km (about 40 minutes) from Rockhampton to Yeppoon, then 7 km south along the Scenic Highway to Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay Harbour, where there is free and paid parking. Freedom Fast Cats and Keppel Konnections ferries run to Great Keppel Island (Fisherman's Beach) in about 30 minutes; Keppel Dive & Water Sports picks up certified divers from the island. Child Island lies immediately beside Barren Island, 30-40 minutes by dive boat from Great Keppel or about 50 minutes from Rosslyn Bay; boats anchor on sand in the lee of the island.

Keppel Bay is exposed to the prevailing south-east trades (strongest April-September) and to summer northerlies. Child Island sits on the outer edge of Keppel Bay and needs winds under about 15 knots and low swell for the crossing. The side dived depends on wind direction; tidal flow from The Gulch channel sweeps the island's northern edge.

Best July-October.

Descend in the lee of the island to the sand edge at 12-15 m, then work back and forth through the boulder field and swim-throughs, gradually shallowing into the coral gardens at 5-8 m for the second half of the dive and the safety stop.

Keppel Dive & Water Sports (PADI 5 Star, based on the Spit at Great Keppel Island next to Great Keppel Island Hideaway) runs guided boat dives to the Keppel sites most days, weather permitting, plus courses and Discover Scuba; site choice is made on the day according to wind. Private boats from Rosslyn Bay also dive here. Dived occasionally as part of Barren Island trips.