The Hoskyn Islands are two small vegetated cays on a coral lagoon reef north-west of Lady Musgrave in the Bunker Group. The cays are a bird sanctuary, so landings are not allowed, but the surrounding lagoon offers good diving among coral bommies full of cracks and crevices. Marine life writers list turtles, moray eels, trevally, nudibranchs and a wide variety of fish, along with hermit crabs, spider crabs, decorator crabs and shrimps.

The Cabbage Patch is a shallow site with coral formations, presumably named for cabbage-like foliose or plate coral, although the source does not say. The lagoon is recommended for night dives, when octopus and squid are active. Because the lagoon is small and shallow, diving is relaxed and suitable for all levels, and the bommies reward slow exploration with a torch.

The reef is visited mainly by private yachts moving between Lady Musgrave, Fairfax and the northern Bunker reefs; there is no operator. The islands' status as a bird sanctuary means boats should anchor well clear of the cays and keep noise and lights down, particularly during nesting season. Check the GBRMPA zoning, as parts of the area are Preservation (Pink) Zone, where entry is prohibited.

Hoskyn is a good option for self-sufficient divers on a Bunker Group cruise, particularly for a night dive in a sheltered lagoon.

The Bunker Group reefs lie 80-100 km north-east of Bundaberg and 50-90 km east of the Town of 1770. Private boats launch from the 1770 Marina or Round Hill Creek ramp (bar crossing – check tides), or from Burnett Heads (Bundaberg Port Marina); expect 1.5-4 hours depending on vessel and destination. Yachts commonly anchor overnight in the Lady Musgrave or Fitzroy Reef lagoons and dive the surrounding reefs by tender.

The Hoskyn Islands lie north-west of Lady Musgrave and Fairfax reefs; boats anchor in or beside the lagoon in settled weather. Landing on the cays is not allowed.

The Bunker reefs are open ocean: south-east trades over about 20 knots make the crossing from 1770 or Bundaberg rough and limit diving to the lee (north-western) sides, while the Fitzroy and Lady Musgrave lagoons provide secure anchorages. The best windows are September-December and March-May calms. Tidal currents run strongly around reef edges and through lagoon entrances on springs.

Cyclone season November-April; summer plankton reduces visibility. The lagoon gives some shelter, but the reef is small; anchor in the lee and dive near high tide for easier access over the reef.

Anchor beside the lagoon, descend among the bommies at 8-12 m and explore the cracks and crevices, then finish in the shallow Cabbage Patch coral area in 3-5 m. At night, search the bommies for crabs, shrimps, octopus and squid.

No scheduled day trips. Lady Musgrave Experience mentions the northern Bunker reefs (Boult, Llewellyn, Lamont and Fitzroy) as remote sites for special or extended trips, Heron Island Resort has historically run occasional long-range trips to the northern Bunker reefs, and most diving is from private yachts and occasional liveaboards.