Queensland · 24 sites
Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands dive sites
Great Keppel Island and its neighbours off Yeppoon have fringing coral reefs, the Barren Island walls and Man and Wife Rocks in clearer water further out, and the artificial reef of the Cementco wreck. It is a laid-back, uncrowded alternative to the big reef towns.
- Sites
- 24
- Wrecks
- 2
- Shore
- 2
- Boat
- 20
- Beginner
- 11
- Deepest
- 35 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026July–October is the Keppels' best window and it is still open: 21 °C, 15 m-plus visibility, humpbacks passing, and the Great Keppel operator running daily. Summer brings northerlies and Fitzroy River run-off.
Getting there
Yeppoon is 40 minutes from Rockhampton airport. Charters and the island ferry leave from Rosslyn Bay.
When to go
July to October for the best visibility and lightest winds.
Water & suit
Summer 25-28 °C · winter 19-22 °C. 3 mm full suit in summer; 5 mm full suit (hood optional) June-September
Nearest chamber: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (Brisbane) – roughly equidistant with Townsville University Hospital (Townsville); evacuation via Rockhampton Hospital and RFDS/aeromedical retrieval
Most recorded marine life in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands
- Turtles 15
- Nudibranchs 11
- Damselfish 6
- Olive sea snakes 6
- Parrotfish 6
- Reef fish 6
- Sweetlips 6
- Coral trout 5
- Sea snakes 5
- Sea whips 5
- Angelfish 4
- Black coral trees 4
- Eagle rays 4
- Giant clams 4
Plan a dive trip to Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Monkey Beach (Great Keppel Island)Reef · Max 6 m · Snorkel/Any
- Shelving Beach (Great Keppel Island)Reef · Max 5 m · Snorkel/Any
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands for, including the main wreck.
- Barren IslandIsland · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- Egg RockWall · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands.
- The Gulch (Barren & Child Islands)Drift · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
- Man & Wife RocksReef · Max 25 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands
All Queensland operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 3 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
Loading map…
21 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 24 Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands dive sites
All Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands sites at a glance
24 sites in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands · click a column to sort
| Bald Rock (Keppels) | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Barren Island | Island | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Big Peninsula (Great Keppel Island) | Reef | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Child Island | Island | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Clam Bay (Great Keppel Island) | Reef | Max 5 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Egg Rock | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Flat Rock (Keppels) | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| FV Linda Jane Wreck | Wreck | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| FV Miss Shoalhaven Wreck | Wreck | Max 33 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Half Tide Rock (Great Keppel Island) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Halfway Island (Keppels) | Reef | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Hannah Rock (Keppels) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Humpy Island (Keppels) | Island | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Man & Wife Rocks | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Middle Island Underwater Observatory Site | Reef | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Monkey Beach (Great Keppel Island) | Reef | Max 6 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore or Boat | Daily |
| Olive Point (Middle Island) | Reef | Max 8 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| One Bum Beach (Barren Island) | Reef | Max 9 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Outer Rock (Keppels) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Parker Bommie (Great Keppel Island) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 17 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Passage Rocks (Great Keppel Island) | Reef | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Shelving Beach (Great Keppel Island) | Reef | Max 5 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Daily |
| The Gulch (Barren & Child Islands) | Drift | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Wreck Beach (Great Keppel Island) | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Weekly |
Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
Yeppoon is 40 minutes from Rockhampton airport. Charters and the island ferry leave from Rosslyn Bay.
When is the best time to dive Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
July to October for the best visibility and lightest winds.
How many dive sites are there in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
24 documented sites, including 2 wrecks and 2 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 35 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
Yes, 11 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
Typically 25-28 °C in summer and 19-22 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm full suit in summer; 5 mm full suit (hood optional) June-September.
Which dive centres operate in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
Great Keppel Island Watersports (Keppel Dive) are recorded as running sites in Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Capricorn Coast & Keppel Islands?
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (Brisbane) – roughly equidistant with Townsville University Hospital (Townsville); evacuation via Rockhampton Hospital and RFDS/aeromedical retrieval. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.