Little Fairey Inlet is a notch in Fairey Reef that offers sheltered wall diving on the outer reef. 100 Magic Miles describes a wall at the inlet entrance with canyons and small lagoons, depths of 10–16 m and visibility of 10–20 m. Current is small outside the inlet, and there is good protection inside. The wall is well populated with angelfish, cod, coral trout and sweetlips, which the guide lists as highlights, and its snorkelling is rated excellent – the wall top is close to the surface, with coral and fish visible from above.

There may be some current at the opening. Canyons running back from the wall lead into small lagoons, giving divers a simple route: along the wall, into the canyons, through a lagoon and back. Its modest depth and shelter make it a comfortable dive for Open Water divers and a good snorkel, and it complements Fairey Reef's other sites, from the easy Henry's Bommie and The Shoals to the current-prone Tina's Arm.

Access is by liveaboard or private charter from Airlie Beach; no scheduled day trip lists Fairey Reef. The inlet's exact position is not given in the sources reviewed, and its condition after Cyclone Debbie is undocumented. For those on a multi-day outer-reef trip, it is a pleasant, sheltered site to use when the trades are blowing and the exposed faces are rough.

A torch helps to bring out the colours on the shaded canyon walls, and the inlet's shelter also makes it a candidate for night diving from an anchored vessel.

Boat only. Fairey Reef lies on the outer Great Barrier Reef near Bait and Hardy reefs – roughly 1.5–2 hours by fast dive boat from Airlie Beach (Coral Sea Marina/Port of Airlie) or from Hamilton Island marina. Explore Group runs Great Barrier Reef scuba day trips to Bait Reef from both Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island; Whitsunday Dive Adventures also lists Bait Reef, and overnight/liveaboard vessels from Airlie include it.

Parking at Airlie is available near the marinas. Private vessels must use public moorings (Bait Reef is a green zone with no-anchoring areas) and need a settled forecast for the open-water crossing.

Fairey Reef and its neighbours are outer-shelf reefs fully exposed to the south-east trades (15–25 knots April–September). The large Reefworld catamarans run in most weather, but the crossing is rough in strong winds and diving can be restricted; smaller charter boats need a settled forecast. Hardy Reef's lagoon drains through a deep channel (about 60 m) beside the pontoon, and strong tidal currents run along the reef edges and through the gaps between Hardy, Line, Sinker and Fairey reefs, especially on spring tides and at the bottom of the tide – plan edge and wall dives for slack water.

Visibility is typically 8–20 m, up to 30 m on the outer faces. 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).

Small current outside the inlet; good protection inside.

Follow the wall at the inlet entrance at 10–16 m, explore the canyons and small lagoons inside, and snorkel or safety-stop along the wall top. Keep away from the mouth when the tide runs.

No regular day-trip operator; visited on liveaboard/overnight dive trips from Airlie Beach and private charters. Cruise Whitsundays' Reefworld is nearby on Hardy Reef.