Murphys Reef is the third of the big reef systems off Mooloolaba. Scuba Diver Life groups it with the Inner and Outer Gneering reefs as a system of gutters, ledges, caves and pinnacles with coral gardens, in depths ranging from 8 m to 33 m, and PADI's Sunshine Coast guide names the Inner and Outer Gneering and Murphy's reefs as the core reef diving off Mooloolaba, with an abundance of reef fish and the region's best nudibranch variety.

Beyond those summaries, Murphys is sparsely documented. It is further from the river mouth than the Inner Gneerings and is visited less often, which means fewer divers and fish that are less accustomed to people. Expect subtropical rocky reef covered in algae, sponges, soft corals and scattered hard corals, with reef fish, pelagic species, stingrays, wobbegongs, turtles and grey nurse sharks among the animals Scuba Diver Life lists for these reefs. PADI notes that visibility further offshore generally averages around 12 m.

Its depth range reaches into the 30s, so parts of the reef suit Advanced divers only, and the more exposed location means current and swell matter more than on the inner reef. Operators include it when conditions allow and when regular customers want something different from the core sites.

Divers wanting to explore Murphys should go with a Mooloolaba operator or a local club that knows the marks, and treat it as a good option for experienced divers who have already done the Gneerings and want quieter, less-visited reef.

Mooloolaba's dive boats leave from The Wharf on the Mooloolah River (Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba), about 1.5 hours' drive north of Brisbane via the Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway. Scuba World's shop is about 40 m from its boat, with 100+ free all-day parking spaces nearby; Sunreef departs from the same precinct. Boats run down the calm river, cross the Mooloolah River mouth beside Point Cartwright and head north-east to the reefs – about 15 minutes to the Inner Gneerings and Mudjimba Island.

Private boats can launch at the Mooloolaba (Parkyn Parade/Lions Park) ramps. Murphys Reef lies south-east of the Gneerings off Mooloolaba/Kawana; its position is not published by dive sources, so dive it with an operator or obtain the mark locally.

The Mooloolaba reefs are open-ocean sites with no shelter from the south-east trade winds or easterly swell. Operators generally cancel when winds exceed about 20 knots or swell makes the river-mouth crossing and moorings unsafe; they confirm trips by email and text around 3.30 pm the day before. Northerly winds (common on summer afternoons) also make the reefs choppy, so morning trips are more reliable.

Visibility averages about 12 m offshore (range 3-30 m) and is clearest after southerly winds and in winter; it drops after easterly blows and heavy rain. Winter (June-October) brings 19-21°C water, grey nurse sharks and humpback whales; summer (November-May) brings 25-27°C water, leopard sharks and lower visibility.

Descend the line to the reef, work into the current along a ledge or gutter at 15-20 m and return along a parallel line. Carry an SMB in case current carries you off the reef.

Mooloolaba operators (Scuba World, Sunreef, SubSurface Scuba) visit occasionally when conditions suit; private boats and clubs.