The South Stradbroke Artificial Reef was established on 17 August 2011 east of South Stradbroke Island, about 3 km north of the Gold Coast Seaway. It covers 208 hectares and consists of 20 concrete fish boxes, each about 4 cubic metres and 17 tonnes, arranged in four clusters at an average depth of about 22 m. It is one of the Moreton Bay Marine Park artificial reefs built to improve recreational fishing close to the Gold Coast, and the concrete boxes are designed to provide holes and ledges that attract baitfish and the reef and pelagic species that feed on them.

The reef is included here so divers know it exists and what its status is: under the Queensland Parks rules, anchoring, spearfishing and snorkelling are allowed, but scuba diving is prohibited. That limits it to freedivers and spearfishers, and at 22 m the modules themselves are a deep breath-hold dive. Pelagic fish such as mackerel, cobia, trevally and kingfish are the main targets, along with snapper and sweetlip around the structures; wobbegongs and rays are also likely on the sand.

Conditions are those of the open coast north of the Seaway: exposed to swell and south-easterly winds, with visibility usually better than inside the Broadwater. Scuba divers wanting a similar-depth structure dive should head instead to Wonder Reef or the Dragin II wreck, both permitted and dived by operators. Check the latest rules with Queensland Parks before visiting, as artificial reef regulations can change.

Fly a dive flag and keep clear of anglers working the clusters.

Boat access only. Launch at the Broadwater ramps (Runaway Bay, Southport, The Spit), run out through the Gold Coast Seaway and turn north along South Stradbroke Island for about 3 km (10-15 minutes). The four clusters are marked on the Queensland Parks artificial reef locality map.

Anchoring is allowed. Under current rules scuba diving is prohibited; snorkelling and spearfishing are permitted.

Offshore Gold Coast reefs sit in open water and are limited by swell and wind: easterly or south-easterly swell over about 1.5 m and south-east trade winds over 15-20 knots make the sites rough and stir up the bottom, while summer north-easterly sea breezes build through the afternoon. Visibility is typically 8-20 m, best after several days of southerly or westerly winds and in winter, and poor after heavy rain when the Nerang River and Broadwater outflow spreads along the coast. The Seaway crossing is safest on the incoming tide.

Scuba prohibited. Freedivers work the clusters from a float line in pairs; at 22 m the modules are a deep freedive, so most activity is on pelagics in mid-water.

No dive operator; used by anglers and spearfishers. Scuba diving prohibited under Moreton Bay Marine Park artificial reef rules.