Shelving Beach is a small, secluded cove on the walking track from Fisherman's Beach to Monkey Beach, and it is the nearest reef to Great Keppel Island's accommodation. Its protected bay sits right next to the Monkey Beach reef system and shares the same sheltered aspect, but it is smaller and more intimate. The reef combines coral patches with boulder fields that run down from the headlands on either side of the beach.

The boulders create overhangs and crevices that shelter small reef fish, while hard coral colonies grow on and between them in 1-4 m. Turtles are regularly seen, and the shallows are one of the better places in the Keppels to find small epaulette sharks, which 'walk' across the bottom on their fins and hide under rocks. Depths are very shallow, so the site is primarily a snorkel, although it makes a gentle shore dive for new divers or for anyone practising skills.

Local advice is to visit at mid tide or lower, when the reef is best viewed, but not so low that snorkellers are forced to stand on coral. Families like Shelving Beach because it is short to walk to and calm in the prevailing wind. Experienced divers will find it limited, but it is a good introduction to the Keppel fringing reefs and a pleasant stop on the way to or from Monkey Beach.

As with all inshore reefs here, visibility varies with wind and rainfall and is rarely more than 8 m. Treat the boulders with care – their undersides host much of the site's life.

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 Fisherman's Beach, take the coastal walking track south towards Monkey Beach; Shelving Beach is the first small cove, about 15-20 minutes' walk over the rocks and headland.

It can also be reached by swimming or kayaking around from Fisherman's Beach in calm conditions, or by boat. Enter from the sand at mid tide or higher.

Keppel Bay is exposed to the prevailing south-east trades (strongest April-September) and to summer northerlies. Shelving Beach sits in a protected bay next to Monkey Beach and is sheltered from south-easterlies. Northerly and westerly winds bring chop and turbidity.

It is best snorkelled at mid tide or lower when the coral and boulder fields are accessible but not exposed; very low tides make the reef flat too shallow. Visibility is modest (3-8 m) and poorer after rain. Wear a stinger suit in summer.

Enter from the sand, snorkel or dive out along the rocky edge on either side of the cove where boulders and coral heads meet the sand, then cross the front of the bay in 2-4 m before returning. Look under ledges for epaulette sharks.

Mainly independent snorkellers from Great Keppel's accommodation; Keppel Dive & Water Sports hires snorkel and scuba gear nearby and occasionally uses it for shallow training.