Paradise Reef is a small, isolated reef in the Breaking Patches area that Passions of Paradise uses exclusively. The operator named it after its original boat, which began operating in 1995, and explains that the reef was formerly a fishing area; since being declared a green zone, fish populations have grown markedly, and the site is now notable for coral trout and red emperor, both prized table fish that are rarely seen in such numbers where fishing is allowed. For divers the site is a wall dropping to about 18 m, and Passions describes it as suitable for both divers and snorkellers.

The reef's recovery since protection makes it a good illustration of what green zones do: the big predatory fish are present and relatively unafraid, and schools of smaller fish are abundant. The wall carries hard and soft corals, and the usual reef fish, parrotfish, wrasse, damsels, butterflyfish and angelfish, crowd the upper reef, with turtles and reef sharks likely. Because Passions has exclusive use, the site is never crowded with other boats, and the coral shows few signs of diver damage.

The modest maximum depth makes it suitable for Open Water divers, and the reef top is shallow enough for snorkellers. Exact coordinates are not published, and published detail is limited to the operator's description, so depths are indicative. It pairs naturally with Long Bommie, the other Passions site at Breaking Patches.

Visibility is typically 10-18 m, and the fish are most active on a gently running tide.

Boat access only. Cairns day boats leave from the Reef Fleet Terminal (1 Spence Street) and the neighbouring Marlin Marina on the city waterfront, with check-in between about 7:00 and 8:00 am; most operators run transfers from city and northern-beaches accommodation, and there is paid parking near the terminal. The run of about 42 km out through Trinity Inlet and across the lagoon to Paradise Reef takes around 85 minutes on a fast catamaran and noticeably longer on slower dive boats or into a south-easterly chop.

Paradise Reef is exclusive to Passions of Paradise, which named it after its original 1995 vessel. Enter from the stern steps.

The prevailing south-east trade winds (typically 15-25 knots from April to September) are what limit Cairns outer-reef diving: above about 25 knots trips may be cancelled, and exposed eastern moorings are used only in light winds. Summer northerlies are gentler but make north-facing moorings choppy. Box jellyfish and Irukandji are present from about November to May (stinger suits on every dive), and the cyclone season runs November to April, when a system in the Coral Sea can close the reef for days.

Visibility drops after heavy rain and strong winds; spring is usually calmest and clearest. Being closer to the coast, visibility is lower than on the outer reefs, especially after rain. As a small isolated reef, Paradise Reef has limited shelter and is used when the day's wind suits it.

Descend the mooring and follow the wall down to 15-18 m with the reef on one side, turning at a third of your gas and returning shallower. Finish on the reef top for the safety stop, where snorkellers will be watching.

Passions of Paradise – exclusive day-trip site; Breaking Patches is also visited by Reef Experience and Aqua Quest; the mooring used on any day is chosen by the skipper according to wind, tide and other boats