Queensland · 9 sites
Mackay dive sites
Mackay's reefs are 30–60 km offshore and its inshore water is tidal and turbid, so diving here is a neap-tide, dry-season affair, run by a local club and the occasional charter to Credlin, Bugatti and the closer Cumberland Islands.
- Sites
- 9
- Wrecks
- 3
- Shore
- 1
- Boat
- 7
- Beginner
- 4
- Deepest
- 35 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026May–October neap tides are the season for the Mackay reefs and Keswick Island; October is the last month before the build-up, with 23 °C water. The Mackay operators run on the neaps only.
Getting there
Charters from Mackay marina when demand allows.
When to go
May to October on neap tides.
Water & suit
Summer 27-29 °C · winter 21-23 °C. 3 mm full suit or stinger suit in summer (lycra/stinger suit essential Nov–May); 5 mm full suit June–September
Nearest chamber: Townsville University Hospital hyperbaric unit (Douglas, Townsville)
Most recorded marine life in Mackay
- Turtles 8
- Reef fish 7
- Coral trout 4
- Hard corals 4
- Rays 4
- Sweetlips 2
- Barracuda 1
- Batfish schools 1
- Brown sweetlips 1
- Chevron/great barracuda schools 1
- Coral growth on rocks 1
- Crabs 1
- Green and hawksbill turtles 1
- Grouper (in wheelhouse) 1
The most-dived sites in Mackay
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Mackay
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 Mackay plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Mackay's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Mackay Harbour North WallShore/Rock Platform · Max 10 m · Open Water
- Keswick Island – Connie Bay & Basil BayShore/Rock Platform · Max 10 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Mackay for, including SS Llewellyn Wreck.
- SS Llewellyn WreckWreck · Max 35 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- Credlin ReefReef · 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 Mackay.
- Brampton IslandIsland · Max 8 m · Snorkel/Any
- Scawfell Island – Refuge BayIsland · Max 12 m · Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Mackay
All Queensland operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Mackay dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 1 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
Loading map…
8 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 9 Mackay dive sites
All Mackay sites at a glance
9 sites in Mackay · click a column to sort
| Brampton Island | Island | Max 8 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat | Rare |
| Credlin Reef | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Rare |
| Keswick Island – Connie Bay & Basil Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Mackay Harbour North Wall | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| MV Cremer Wreck (St Bees Island) | Wreck | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Scawfell Island – Refuge Bay | Island | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Singapore Wreck (Keswick Island) | Wreck | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| SS Llewellyn Wreck | Wreck | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| St Bees Island Fringing Reef | Reef | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
Mackay diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Mackay?
Charters from Mackay marina when demand allows.
When is the best time to dive Mackay?
May to October on neap tides.
How many dive sites are there in Mackay?
9 documented sites, including 3 wrecks and 1 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 35 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Mackay?
Yes, 4 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 Mackay?
Typically 27-29 °C in summer and 21-23 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm full suit or stinger suit in summer (lycra/stinger suit essential Nov–May); 5 mm full suit June–September.
Which dive centres operate in Mackay?
Neptune Spear & Dive are recorded as running sites in Mackay. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Mackay?
Townsville University Hospital hyperbaric unit (Douglas, Townsville). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.