Waite Bay on Haslewood Island, in the southern part of the Whitsunday group, is one of the less-visited but better-regarded dive sites in 100 Magic Miles' listing. The guide describes very good coral cover with scattered small bommies and sand patches, a wall reaching 18 m, depths of 3–18 m and visibility of 3–15 m. Fish are of good quality, and manta rays visit between May and September.

The mix of habitats makes it a satisfying dive: a wall for depth and structure, bommies and sand patches for variety, and shallow coral for snorkellers near the beach and reef edge. Mantas feeding along the reef in winter are the highlight, and turtles, trout and sweetlips are likely. Current is minimal except on spring tides, but the bay is open to south-easterlies, so it is used mainly in lighter winds or northerly weather.

Its distance from Airlie Beach and the more famous northern sites means it sees few day boats; it is visited mostly by sailing charters and bareboats working the southern islands, and is closer to Hamilton Island. Detailed operator information, exact coordinates and post-Cyclone Debbie observations are not available in the sources reviewed – Debbie's strongest winds struck the northern islands, so southern sites may have fared better. For divers on a sailing trip through the southern Whitsundays, Waite Bay is worth a stop, particularly in manta season.

Snorkellers should stay near the beach and reef edge, where the guide rates the snorkelling best, while divers get the most from the wall and the bommies below it.

Boat only. Haslewood Island lies in the southern Whitsundays, south of Whitsunday Island and east of Lindeman Island, closer to Hamilton Island (roughly 30–45 minutes by fast boat) than to Airlie Beach (about 1.5 hours). It is visited by sailing charters, bareboats and private boats; dive operators from Hamilton Island (Explore Group) may use it by arrangement.

Use public moorings where available and observe no-anchoring areas.

Waite Bay is open to the south-east trades (15–25 knots April–September), so it is best visited in light winds or northerly weather. Current is minimal except on spring tides. Visibility is typically 3–15 m, reduced after strong winds, big tides and wet-season rain.

Manta rays feed along the reef May–September. 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).

Descend over the coral near the reef edge, work along the wall to 15–18 m with the reef on one shoulder, return through the bommies and sand patches at 5–10 m, and finish snorkelling near the beach.

Sailing charters and bareboats; no scheduled dive operator (Explore Group Hamilton Island by arrangement). Nearest dive centres for gear hire, fills and local advice: Explore Group (Hamilton Island), sailing charters.