The Gardens, on Whitsunday Island, is the dependable fallback in 100 Magic Miles' list of island dive sites: an easy, shallow dive with excellent protection in all winds. The guide describes coral cover dominated by large plate corals, depths of 5–15 m and visibility of 4–15 m, with small friendly reef fish and occasional large pelagic species. Big tiers of plate coral give the site its name and its look – layered shelves overlapping down the slope, sheltering fish beneath.

Damselfish, wrasse, angelfish, butterflyfish and parrotfish are everywhere, and the occasional trevally or mackerel sweeps through from deeper water. Turtles and reef sharks may appear. Its value is reliability.

When northerlies close the eastern and northern bays, or strong south-easterlies make the outer sites unpleasant, the Gardens is still diveable. The one caution is tidal current on spring tides, which the guide notes can be a problem; neap tides or slack water are best. Snorkelling is good with current caution.

The exact location of the Gardens on Whitsunday Island is not given in the source, and it does not appear on current operator schedules; sailing charters and private boats are the likeliest visitors, and dive boats may use it when conditions elsewhere are poor. Plate corals are vulnerable to cyclones, and the effect of Cyclone Debbie here has not been documented. Plate corals are easily broken by fins, so divers should keep well off the tiers and avoid kneeling or resting on the reef.

Boat only. Whitsunday Island's fringing sites are about 15–25 nautical miles from Airlie Beach – roughly 40–70 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.

The Gardens offers excellent protection in all winds, making it a fallback when other sites are blown out. 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. Current is problematic during spring tides.

Descend to the plate-coral terraces at 5–10 m and meander along the reef, dropping to 15 m at the edge; return shallow. Watch the tide on springs.

Sailing charters, bareboats and occasional dive boats seeking shelter. Nearest dive centres for gear hire, fills and local advice: Whitsunday Dive Adventures, Explore Group, Ocean Rafting, Red Cat Adventures, Cruise Whitsundays.