Davies Reef is a large mid-shelf reef, a little over 6 km of reef frontage, lying about 5 nm due east of Wheeler Reef. It is best known outside diving circles for the Australian Institute of Marine Science automated weather station, a multi-storey platform that has logged oceanographic and weather data here for decades, and the reef is one of AIMS's long-term monitoring sites. For divers it offers some of the best wall diving in the Townsville reef system.

The western edge drops as an impressive wall from the reef crest to 10–15 m and beyond, draped with soft corals and gorgonians in the 10–15 m band and cut by deep gutters and small caves. Detached bommies and pinnacles stand off the reef near the weather station, reaching down to about 18–20 m, and fish concentrate around their current-facing gaps: sweetlips, jacks, coral trout, fusiliers, parrotfish, surgeonfish and clouds of baitfish. The Marine Life Network lists a string of named sites – Sisters, Atlantis, Coral Gardens, Lion's Den, The Maze and Peacock Bommie – covering pinnacles, small caves, gutters, coral gardens and vertical walls.

Visibility is usually excellent along the wall, often 20 m or more, because the reef sits far enough offshore to escape most coastal turbidity. Davies is also good snorkelling on the reef top and lagoon edge in calm weather, which makes it suitable for mixed groups on charter. It is zoned Conservation Park (yellow), so limited line fishing is allowed and divers may meet the odd lost lure.

The main limitation is access: at around 95 km from Townsville it sits beyond the reefs that day-trip boats visit routinely, so it tends to be dived by private charter, club trips and liveaboards. On a calm day with clear water it is one of the most rewarding reefs off Townsville, combining genuine wall diving with pinnacles and a large, varied reef.

Boat only. Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive departs the Fuel Wharf at Breakwater Marina, Townsville, at about 7:00 am and picks up at the Nelly Bay ferry terminal on Magnetic Island at about 7:50 am; the run out to the mid-shelf reefs takes 2–2.5 hours; Davies is at the far end of the day-trip range and is visited mainly by charter and liveaboard, each way depending on sea state, and the reef is chosen on the day to suit wind and tide. Paid parking is available around Breakwater Marina and the Townsville ferry terminals; Magnetic Island guests catch an early SeaLink ferry or walk to the Nelly Bay terminal.

Private boats launch at the Ross River or Townsville Breakwater ramps; the reefs are 70–90 km offshore, so a capable offshore vessel, EPIRB and a good forecast are essential. Use public moorings where installed and never anchor on coral.

The Townsville mid-shelf reefs sit fully exposed to the south-east trade winds, which blow 15–25 knots for long stretches from April to September. Operators generally cancel when winds exceed about 20 knots or a strong wind warning is current, and the 2–2.5 hour crossing is rough above 15 knots. The calmest windows are the late-spring and early-summer glassouts (October–December) and occasional winter high-pressure lulls.

Visibility is usually 12–25 m, dropping after big south-easterly blows and after wet-season floods from the Burdekin and Herbert rivers push turbid plumes offshore (January–April). 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).

Tidal currents around reef edges and bommies are strongest on spring tides; plan wall and pass dives near slack.

Western-edge wall: drop in at 10–15 m on the wall, travel along it with the current on a gentle drift, detour to detached bommies and pinnacles down to 18–20 m, then rise onto the shallow reef top to finish. Near the AIMS weather station, circuit the bommies (Peacock Bommie, The Maze) at 12–18 m.

No scheduled day trips at present; visited by private charter, dive clubs (NQUEC) and occasional liveaboard itineraries from Townsville. Nearest dive centres for gear hire, fills and local advice: Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive, Yongala Dive, Pleasure Divers Magnetic Island.