Migaloo Reef is one of the Gold Coast's newest dive sites. Local divers discovered it in 2017 and named it after Migaloo, the famous white humpback whale that passes the coast on its annual migration. It lies between the Scottish Prince wreck and Gretas Reef, close to the Seaway entrance, and covers roughly 200 m by 150 m in 17-18 m of water.

Gold Coast Dive Adventures describes it as a rocky reef of boulders, bommies and sandy patches, split into two distinct sections separated by sand. The rock is overgrown with sponges, soft corals and other invertebrates, giving it plenty of colour for a coffee-rock and boulder reef this close to the city. Small fish swarm over the bommies, and the reef holds wobbegongs, rays, nudibranchs, moray eels and turtles.

Dolphins and sharks are also recorded passing through, as they are across the reefs off the Seaway. Because it is relatively new to divers and has not been fished or dived as heavily as older sites, it has a quiet, undisturbed feel. At 17-18 m it suits open water divers comfortable at that depth, and it is often combined with the shallower Scottish Prince on a double dive.

The two sections allow divers to split the dive or spend it thoroughly exploring one half. Visibility typically ranges from 8 to 20 m, best after southerly winds and in winter. Divers interested in newly documented sites will enjoy Migaloo, and as it continues to be explored, more detail is likely to emerge.

Boat access only. Gold Coast Dive Adventures departs Runaway Bay Marina (Bayview Street, Runaway Bay – parking, cafes, toilets), runs south down the Broadwater and out through the Gold Coast Seaway; the reefs off the Seaway and The Spit are 10-20 minutes from the marina. Private boats launch at the Seaway/Broadwater ramps (e.g.

Doug Jennings Park area, Southport, Runaway Bay) and must cross the Seaway entrance, which can be rough on an outgoing tide against an easterly swell. Migaloo Reef lies between the Scottish Prince wreck and Gretas Reef, a few minutes outside the Seaway.

Offshore Gold Coast reefs sit in open water and are limited by swell and wind: easterly or south-easterly swell over about 1.5 m and south-east trade winds over 15-20 knots make the sites rough and stir up the bottom, while summer north-easterly sea breezes build through the afternoon. Visibility is typically 8-20 m, best after several days of southerly or westerly winds and in winter, and poor after heavy rain when the Nerang River and Broadwater outflow spreads along the coast. The Seaway crossing is safest on the incoming tide.

Descend to one of the two reef sections at about 17 m, circle the boulders and bommies, cross the sand gap to the second section on a compass bearing if time allows, then return to the line.

Gold Coast Dive Adventures (Runaway Bay) – regular local reef dives.