Iris Point is the northern tip of Orpheus Island, where the island meets the eastern edge of the Orpheus–Pelorus channel. The North Queensland Underwater Explorers Club describes a reef wall down to about 15 m, broken by ledges and cracks, with typical visibility of 6–10 m. The point's position, facing the channel's tidal flow, makes it a site for bigger animals.

The club's species list is notable for an inshore reef: Queensland grouper, grey reef sharks and leopard sharks, together with painted crayfish in the cracks. Giant grouper are rarely seen at inshore sites, and their presence reflects the protection the Orpheus Marine National Park zone has given this area. Reef fish, trevally and mackerel work the edge.

Orpheus Island itself is 11 km long and about 1 km wide, a national park island with three QPWS campgrounds, the luxury Orpheus Island Lodge and a James Cook University marine research station. Most of the surrounding water is Marine National Park, with a Conservation Park strip from Hazard Bay to the southern tip. The Palm group's waters are rich – the lodge claims 1,100 of the reef's fish species and 340 of its hard coral species are found around the islands.

Iris Point is a boat dive in current. The wall suits Open Water divers comfortable with drift conditions, but the channel can run hard on springs and slack water gives the best diving. With visibility often modest, big animals appear suddenly out of the gloom, which adds to the drama.

For private boats and lodge charters, it is one of the most rewarding dives on Orpheus.

Boat only. The Palm Island group lies 20–25 km off the coast between Townsville and Ingham. The quickest access is from the Lucinda or Dungeness boat ramps near Ingham (about 1 hour 20 minutes' drive north of Townsville via the Bruce Highway), from which a small boat reaches Orpheus and Pelorus in about 30–45 minutes across Halifax Bay; Taylors Beach ramp is an alternative.

From Townsville the run is roughly 1.5–2 hours. Orpheus Island Lodge guests arrive by helicopter or seaplane and dive from the lodge's boats. Campers on Orpheus (QPWS permit) and Pelorus (self-sufficient, Hinchinbrook Shire Council) usually arrive by private boat or water taxi.

Use public moorings where available and check no-anchoring areas. Iris Point is the northern tip of Orpheus; approach from the channel and position off the wall.

The Palms are high continental islands, so some shore always offers a lee, but the Orpheus–Pelorus channel and exposed points are hit by the south-east trades (15–25 knots, April–September) and by strong tidal streams – springs can produce currents that make the points undiveable except at slack water. Visibility is typically 6–10 m and reaches 15 m in the winter channel; it falls after strong winds and during the wet season (January–April) when the Herbert River floods discolour the water. The calmest, clearest conditions come in the October–December build-up.

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).

Descend onto the wall at 10–15 m, follow it along the point with any current, checking ledges and cracks for crayfish and grouper, then ascend onto the reef top.

Orpheus Island Lodge – private dive charters for guests to local reefs (minutes away) and the outer reef (~75 min), plus Discover Scuba shore dives; otherwise private boats from Lucinda/Taylors Beach, campers and NQUEC club trips. No scheduled public dive trips.