Queensland · 24 sites
Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait dive sites
North of Lizard Island the Great Barrier Reef is almost unvisited. Great Detached Reef, Raine Island (the world's largest green turtle rookery), Tijou Reef and the Cod Hole's remote northern equivalents are dived only by a few liveaboards each October and November, when the wind drops and the boats can make the long passage. Expect walls, big sharks, untouched coral and no other boats.
- Sites
- 24
- Wrecks
- 6
- Shore
- 0
- Boat
- 23
- Beginner
- 1
- Deepest
- 40 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The expedition window is open: October–December liveaboard trips out of Cairns to the Far Northern reefs, Raine Island's turtle nesting and the Torres Strait wrecks. Trips sell out a year ahead; ask now for next season.
Getting there
Seven- to ten-night liveaboard expeditions from Cairns, sometimes ending with a flight from Lockhart River or Horn Island.
When to go
October to December only.
Water & suit
Summer 28-30 °C · winter 25-27 °C. 3 mm full wetsuit or stinger suit (water 26–29 °C in the October–December season); full-length stinger protection from November
Nearest chamber: Townsville University Hospital (Townsville) – very remote; evacuation by aeromedical retrieval (RFDS) via Lockhart River, Bamaga or Horn Island airstrips can take many hours
Most recorded marine life in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
- Turtles 11
- Barracuda 8
- Gorgonian fans 8
- Soft corals 8
- Trevally 8
- Reef sharks 7
- Grey reef sharks 6
- Whip corals 6
- Reef fish 5
- Hard corals 4
- Manta rays 4
- Coral trout 3
- Eagle rays 3
- Mackerel 3
Plan a dive trip to Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
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 Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with the gentler sites while you get used to local conditions and the operator's routine.
- Horn Island WWII sitesAircraft Wreck · Depth not published · Open Water
- Japanese Zero wreck (Hammond Island)Aircraft Wreck · Max 5 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait for, including RMS Quetta wreck.
- Raine IslandReef · Depth not published · Advanced Open Water
- RMS Quetta wreckWreck · Max 24 m · Wreck specialty recommended
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait.
- Torres Strait Outer Reef ChannelsDrift · Depth not published · Advanced Open Water
- Great Detached ReefWall · Max 40 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
Dive centres and charters in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait
All Queensland operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
Cairns · Cairns · QLD
A long-running expedition liveaboard operation associated with Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea itineraries, including minke whale season trips.
mikeball.com · (07) 4053 0500
Liveaboard4 services106 sites
Spirit of Freedom
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
Cairns · Cairns · QLD
An expedition liveaboard associated with Ribbon Reefs, Osprey Reef and Coral Sea itineraries.
spiritoffreedom.com.au · (07) 4047 9150
Liveaboard4 services56 sites
Professional Dive Services
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Brisbane · Brisbane & Moreton Bay · QLD
Brisbane-based dive training business that runs Torres Strait / Ribbon Reef expeditions aboard MV Kalinda; not based in the Torres Strait.
professionaldiveservices.com.au · 0457 007 040
22 sites
Cooktown Reef Charters
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Cooktown · Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait · QLD
Primarily a fishing and glass-bottom-boat charter; snorkelling only, no scuba advertised.
reefcharters.com.au · (07) 4069 5396
2 sites
Map of Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 14 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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10 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 24 Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait dive sites
All Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait sites at a glance
24 sites in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait · click a column to sort
| Aladdin's Cave (Far Northern GBR) | Reef | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Auriga Bay (Southern Small Detached Reef) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Big Woody (Great Detached / Wood Reef) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Boulder Reef (Cooktown) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| Cat Reef | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Catchers Mitt (Tijou / Cat Reef) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Creech Reef | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Endeavour Reef | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| Great Detached Reef | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| HMAS Warrnambool wreck | Wreck | Max 25 m | Wreck specialty recommended | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| HMS Pandora wreck | Wreck | Max 33 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Horn Island WWII sites | Aircraft Wreck | Depth not published | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Japanese Zero wreck (Hammond Island) | Aircraft Wreck | Max 5 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Mantis Reef | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Pirate's Cove (Far Northern GBR) | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Pussy Galore (Tijou Reef) | Wall | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Raine Island | Reef | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| RMS Quetta wreck | Wreck | Max 24 m | Wreck specialty recommended | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| The Pinnacles (Great Detached Reef) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Three Mile Opening (TMO) | Drift | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Tijou Reef | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Torres Strait Outer Reef Channels | Drift | Depth not published | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Turmoil (Great Detached Reef) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Volga wreck | Wreck | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Seven- to ten-night liveaboard expeditions from Cairns, sometimes ending with a flight from Lockhart River or Horn Island.
When is the best time to dive Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
October to December only.
How many dive sites are there in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
24 documented sites, including 6 wrecks. The deepest reaches 40 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Yes, 1 site is 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 Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Typically 28-30 °C in summer and 25-27 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm full wetsuit or stinger suit (water 26–29 °C in the October–December season); full-length stinger protection from November.
Which dive centres operate in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Spirit of Freedom, Professional Dive Services, Cooktown Reef Charters are recorded as running sites in Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Far Northern Reef & Torres Strait?
Townsville University Hospital (Townsville) – very remote; evacuation by aeromedical retrieval (RFDS) via Lockhart River, Bamaga or Horn Island airstrips can take many hours. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.