The reefs east of Innisfail, including Feather Reef, lie in the gap between the Cairns and Mission Beach reef groups. They are not visited by any regular dive operator, no published dive-site descriptions were found, and the exact reef names should be confirmed on a chart. Reefs at this distance offshore, about 45 km, are mid-to-outer-shelf reefs that escape most of the mainland river plumes and would be expected to support healthy hard and soft coral, reef slopes and bommies, and a typical central-north Great Barrier Reef fish fauna of coral trout, emperors, sweetlips, parrotfish, fusiliers, reef sharks and turtles.

Innisfail is one of the wettest towns in Australia, and the Johnstone River discharges large flood plumes in the wet season that can reduce visibility even on the mid-shelf reefs for days. Access is by private boat or fishing charter from the Johnstone River ramps or Mourilyan Harbour, and the Johnstone River bar requires care. With no operator, divers must be fully self-sufficient, with emergency oxygen and communications, and the nearest recompression chamber is in Townsville.

For most divers, Cairns or Mission Beach operators provide far easier access to comparable reefs. Feather Reef is the name most often associated with this area. Etty Bay, the nearest beach to Innisfail, is known for cassowaries on the foreshore but is not itself a dive site, and the nearshore waters around Innisfail are estuarine crocodile habitat with low visibility.

For divers based in Innisfail, the practical options are to drive to Mission Beach (about 45 minutes) or Cairns (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and join a scheduled trip, or to arrange a private charter that combines fishing with a dive in a calm-weather window. Any independent trip should carry a dive flag, emergency oxygen, a marine radio and an EPIRB.

There is no regular dive trip to the reefs off Innisfail. Access is by private boat or fishing charter from the Innisfail boat ramps on the Johnstone River or from Mourilyan Harbour, crossing the Johnstone River bar (dangerous in easterly swell and on the ebb) and running about 45 km offshore, 1.5-2 hours in fair weather. Divers must bring their own gear and fills (Cairns or Mission Beach).

Check the GBRMPA zoning map before anchoring or fishing.

The Mission Beach reefs are exposed to the south-east trade winds, which blow 15-25 knots for much of April-September and can cancel trips; the calmest months are usually September-December. Box jellyfish and Irukandji are present from about October-November to May, most dangerously close to the coast, so wear a full stinger suit. The cyclone season runs November-April, and Mission Beach has been hit hard by cyclones Larry (2006) and Yasi (2011).

Heavy wet-season rain and river flood plumes from the Tully and Johnstone rivers reduce visibility on the inner reefs. The Johnstone River bar can be dangerous in easterly swell and on a run-out tide; the reefs are dived only in calm spells. Innisfail is one of Australia's wettest towns, so wet-season river plumes are extensive.

Anchor in sand in the lee of the reef, dive the edge at 8-18 m with the reef on one side, turn at a third of your gas and return shallower for a safety stop near the boat.

No regular dive operator – private boats and fishing charters from Innisfail or Mourilyan Harbour; Innisfail-based fishing charters may accommodate divers by arrangement on calm days; the mooring used on any day is chosen by the skipper according to wind, tide and other boats