Monkey Beach is the reef most visitors to Great Keppel Island see first, and for good reason. The 550 m curved beach on the island's sheltered south-western side fronts a fringing reef with exceptionally high coral cover and around 38 recorded coral species, making it the Keppels' premier snorkelling spot and a pleasant, very shallow dive. Beyond the beach, sand flats run out in 1-2 m before giving way to thickets of branching staghorn coral and broad plate corals in the deeper areas, down to about 5-6 m.

The coral shelters large numbers of small fish: damsels, chromis, wrasse, parrotfish, butterflyfish and rabbitfish, with sweetlips and coral trout under the plates. Hawksbill turtles are regularly seen feeding, and stingrays rest on the sand at the edge. Because it is shallow, calm in south-easterlies and reachable on foot, Monkey Beach is used for snorkelling tours, training and Discover Scuba sessions.

Scuba divers will find the depth limiting, but the coral density and gentle conditions make it a good long, relaxed dive, particularly for photographers wanting natural light. The reef has been affected in the past by coral bleaching and flood plumes from the Fitzroy River, and it has recovered well, which is part of what makes it interesting: it is a textbook example of a resilient inshore fringing reef. The walk from Fisherman's Beach follows a coastal track past Shelving Beach, and many visitors combine both reefs.

It suits families, snorkellers of all abilities, new divers and anyone staying on Great Keppel who wants coral within walking distance.

Drive 40 km (about 40 minutes) from Rockhampton to Yeppoon, then 7 km south along the Scenic Highway to Keppel Bay Marina at Rosslyn Bay Harbour, where there is free and paid parking. Freedom Fast Cats and Keppel Konnections ferries run to Great Keppel Island (Fisherman's Beach) in about 30 minutes; Keppel Dive & Water Sports picks up certified divers from the island. From the ferry landing at Fisherman's Beach, follow the signed coastal walking track south past Shelving Beach to Monkey Beach, roughly 40 minutes each way over a small headland; carrying full scuba gear this far is hard work, so divers usually use the dive operator's boat transfer (about 10 minutes) and snorkellers walk.

Enter from the beach near the southern rocks and fin out over the sand flats to the coral.

Keppel Bay is exposed to the prevailing south-east trades (strongest April-September) and to summer northerlies. Monkey Beach faces south-west and is sheltered from the south-east trades, so it is snorkellable on most trade-wind days; strong westerly or northerly winds make it choppy and murky. Tide matters: at low water the shallow reef is close to the surface and easy to damage, so mid to high tide is best.

Visibility is usually 4-10 m and drops after rain, when Fitzroy River flood plumes can reach the island. Stingers are possible in summer; wear a stinger suit November-May.

Enter from the beach and fin across the sand flats (1-2 m) to the start of the coral. Follow the reef edge along the bay where branching and plate corals are densest in 3-5 m, then turn at half air or two-thirds of your planned time and return along the shallower edge. Keep off the reef flat at low tide.

Snorkellers walk in independently; Keppel Dive & Water Sports uses Monkey Beach for shallow shore-style dives, courses and Discover Scuba by boat transfer. Freedom Fast Cats and other Keppel cruise boats also bring snorkel groups.