Little Kelso Reef sits alongside Kelso Reef on the mid-shelf north of Townsville, and although it is the smaller of the two, it is the more interesting dive. The Marine Life Network's site listing describes two contrasting sides: a sheltered north-western back where boats can sit out the south-east trade winds, and a north-eastern face that drops vertically to about 15 m and is cut with gullies, caves, overhangs and swim-throughs. The wall is where the diving is.

Coralline and turf algae dominate some surfaces – a sign of cyclone damage and recovery in progress rather than a thriving hard-coral reef – but the structure remains, and fish abundance is good. Damselfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish and fusiliers stream along the face, coral trout sit in the caves, and pelagic species and snapper patrol the edge. The overhangs and swim-throughs make it a satisfying dive for photographers and for divers who like topography, even if coral colour is patchy.

At a modest depth of about 15 m and with shelter nearby, Little Kelso is a manageable site for Open Water divers with some experience, though current can run along the face on spring tides. Its biggest barrier is access: like Kelso, it is roughly three hours or more from Townsville and is not on any operator's regular schedule. Divers on private charters from Lucinda or Orpheus Island, or on liveaboards working the reefs north of Townsville, are the likeliest visitors.

Documentation is limited to citizen-science and club listings; exact position, maximum depth and current reef condition should be confirmed locally before planning a trip.

Boat only, via the same route as Kelso Reef: about 3–3.5 hours by charter vessel from Breakwater Marina, Townsville, or considerably less from Lucinda/Dungeness near Ingham or from Orpheus Island. Boats shelter on the north-western back of the reef in the south-east trades and divers are dropped or swim to the north-eastern face. Private skippers need an offshore-capable vessel and must avoid anchoring on coral.

There is no scheduled operator.

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.

Drop onto the north-eastern face and descend the vertical wall to about 15 m, exploring gullies, caves and swim-throughs along the face with any current, then ascend into the shallows and return towards the sheltered north-western side for pick-up.

No regular operator – private charter from Townsville or Lucinda, club trips and occasional liveaboard stops. Nearest dive centres for gear hire, fills and local advice: Adrenalin Snorkel & Dive (charter), Orpheus Island Lodge.