The Family Islands are a scatter of small continental islands south of Dunk Island, off Mission Beach, protected as Family Islands National Park and surrounded by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park waters. Queensland Parks notes that snorkelling from beaches around the islands offers a glimpse of the reef's animals and plants, and that Wheeler and Coombe islands have bush camping for self-sufficient visitors. There is no dive operator dedicated to the group, and published dive information is almost non-existent, so the account here is written largely from the geography of the area and the character of similar inshore island reefs.

The islands have fringing reefs on their sheltered sides, generally shallow, with hard and soft corals adapted to the turbid inshore water and a fish community of parrotfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, rabbitfish and small reef species. Turtles are common in these waters and dugongs feed on seagrass nearby. Visibility is usually limited, often 3-10 m, and poor after rain, because the islands are close to the mainland and the Tully River outflow.

The appeal is quiet, self-reliant exploration by boat or sea kayak, combined with camping and birdwatching, rather than high-quality diving. Seabird breeding season from October to March brings vessel restrictions around some islands, and visitors must check zoning before fishing or anchoring. Crocodiles can turn up on offshore islands in this region, so caution is needed.

Guided sea-kayak tours from Mission Beach are the easiest way for visitors without a boat to reach the nearer islands.

The Family Islands lie south of Dunk Island, roughly 5-15 km off Mission Beach and South Mission Beach. There is no scheduled ferry: access is by private boat from the Clump Point boat ramp or the South Mission Beach ramp, by sea kayak (guided kayak tours operate from Mission Beach), or by charter. Wheeler and Coombe islands have bush camping for self-sufficient visitors with a permit.

Use public moorings where available and anchor only in sand. Carry drinking water and emergency communication equipment.

The Mission Beach reefs are exposed to the south-east trade winds, which blow 15-25 knots for much of April-September and can cancel trips; the calmest months are usually September-December. Box jellyfish and Irukandji are present from about October-November to May, most dangerously close to the coast, so wear a full stinger suit. The cyclone season runs November-April, and Mission Beach has been hit hard by cyclones Larry (2006) and Yasi (2011).

Heavy wet-season rain and river flood plumes from the Tully and Johnstone rivers reduce visibility on the inner reefs. The islands give some lee from south-easterlies on their north-western sides, but the channel between them and the mainland can be rough in fresh trades. Visibility is usually low (3-10 m) because of mainland runoff.

Anchor in sand in the lee of an island, snorkel or dive the fringing reef edge at 2-6 m parallel to the shore, turning at half gas, and return to the boat. Stay well clear of seabird nesting sites.

No regular dive operator – private boats, sea-kayak tours and charters from Mission Beach; Mission Beach Dive can advise on conditions and hire gear; the mooring used on any day is chosen by the skipper according to wind, tide and other boats