Stonehaven is one of the principal overnight anchorages in the Whitsundays, a sheltered bight on the western side of Hook Island where yachts shelter from the south-east trades. It is not a showpiece dive, but it has two notable qualities: convenience for anyone anchored there, and resilience. When the ABC surveyed the Whitsunday fringing reefs after Cyclone Debbie in April 2017, it found that Stonehaven had retained healthy coral because the surrounding geography sheltered it from the wind, while nearby northern bays were devastated. 100 Magic Miles describes the dive as scattered small coral heads on a silty sand bottom, at 2–12 m with 2–10 m visibility, where tides control visibility and neap tides are best.

Damselfish, Christmas tree worms and nudibranchs are the typical subjects – this is a site for macro and relaxed snorkelling rather than big fish or dramatic structure. Snorkelling is recommended only at high tide, when there is enough water over the coral. Red Cat Adventures' Thundercat snorkel tour lists 'Stone Haven Bay' for its coral gardens, and sailing charters use it daily as an overnight stop, so the anchorage is busy with boats and tenders.

For divers on overnight sailing trips, Stonehaven offers an easy dusk or dawn dive or snorkel without moving the boat, and a good place to look for nudibranchs and small invertebrates. Those seeking more exciting diving should use the moorings on the northern side of Hook Island. Night snorkels and dives from yachts are popular here, but anchored boats swing on their chains and tenders move constantly after dark, so carry a torch and strobe and stay close to your own vessel.

Boat only. Northern Hook Island is about 22–28 nautical miles from Airlie Beach – roughly 45–75 minutes by fast day boat from Coral Sea Marina or Port of Airlie, or about 1 hour from Hamilton Island marina. Day tours that stop here include Ocean Rafting, Red Cat Adventures (Thundercat), Whitsunday Dive Adventures and Explore Group (from Airlie and Hamilton Island); overnight sailing and bareboat charters also visit.

Private and bareboat skippers must use the public moorings (time-limited, first come first served) and observe no-anchoring areas marked by reef protection markers; bareboat operators restrict where hirers may go. Parking at Airlie is available near Coral Sea Marina and the Port of Airlie. Stonehaven is a major overnight anchorage on western Hook Island, sheltered from south-easterlies; Red Cat Adventures' Thundercat uses 'Stone Haven Bay' as a snorkel stop.

The northern Hook Island bays face north and are sheltered from the dominant south-east trades (15–25 knots April–September), but they are open to northerly winds and swell (common October–March) and to very strong south-easterlies that wrap around the headlands. Tidal currents through the islands are strong on spring tides (tidal range up to about 4 m) and can make points and bay entrances difficult – plan dives at slack water and neap tides where possible. Visibility is usually 5–15 m, dropping after strong winds, big tides and wet-season rain.

Manta rays visit May–September. 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).

Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie (March 2017) badly damaged the fringing reefs of northern Hook and Hayman islands; recovery is ongoing. Stonehaven's geography protected it from the worst of Cyclone Debbie. Visibility is strongly tidal – snorkel at high tide and dive on neaps.

Snorkel at high tide over the coral heads along the fringe; divers can explore the scattered heads on the sand at 4–10 m looking for nudibranchs and Christmas tree worms. Keep clear of anchored yachts.

Red Cat Adventures Thundercat (snorkel stop, daily when conditions suit); overnight sailing charters and bareboats (main anchorage). Nearest dive centres for gear hire, fills and local advice: Whitsunday Dive Adventures, Explore Group, Ocean Rafting, Red Cat Adventures, Cruise Whitsundays.