Queensland · 10 sites
Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast dive sites
Mission Beach is the closest mainland point to the Great Barrier Reef, and day boats reach Beaver Reef, Eddy Reef and the Dunk Island fringing reefs in under an hour. The diving is quiet coral gardens and bommies with turtles and reef fish, without the Cairns crowds.
- Sites
- 10
- Wrecks
- 1
- Shore
- 0
- Boat
- 9
- Beginner
- 7
- Deepest
- 35 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026September–December brings the calmest seas of the year to the Mission Beach reefs and Dunk Island, 25 °C water and reliable visibility; stinger season starts in November, so lycra suits from then. The boats are quieter than Cairns.
Getting there
Two hours south of Cairns. Small operators run reef trips from Mission Beach and Dunk Island.
When to go
June to November.
Water & suit
Summer 27-30 °C · winter 23-25 °C. 3 mm full wetsuit or shorty in summer (27-30 °C); 3-5 mm full wetsuit in winter (23-25 °C); full-length lycra or stinger suit strongly advised November-May and supplied free by most operators
Nearest chamber: Townsville University Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Townsville) – Cairns Hospital has no recompression chamber; divers are evacuated by RFDS/air ambulance
Most recorded marine life in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast
- Parrotfish 5
- Turtles 4
- Green turtles 3
- Sweetlips 3
- Barracuda schools 2
- Butterflyfish 2
- Clownfish 2
- Coral trout 2
- Damselfish 2
- Emperors 2
- Fusiliers 2
- Giant clams 2
- Giant trevally 2
- Groupers 2
Plan a dive trip to Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast
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 Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast 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.
- Beaver ReefReef · Max 22 m · Advanced Open Water
- Ellison ReefReef · Max 18 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast for, including Lady Bowen wreck.
- Lady Bowen wreckWreck · Max 35 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- Eddy ReefReef · Max 25 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 Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast.
- Brook IslandsIsland · Max 12 m · Open Water
- Family IslandsIsland · Max 10 m · Snorkel/Any
Dive centres and charters in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast
All Queensland operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 2 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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8 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 10 Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast dive sites
All Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast sites at a glance
10 sites in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast · click a column to sort
| Beaver Reef | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Weekly |
| Brook Islands | Island | Max 12 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Dunk Island | Island | Max 10 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Eddy Reef | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Ellison Reef | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Family Islands | Island | Max 10 m | Snorkel/Any | Boat | Rare |
| Lady Bowen wreck | Wreck | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
| Nathan Reef (Innisfail) | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Rare |
| Otter Reef | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Expedition |
| Taylor Reef | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (day trip) | Occasional |
Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
Two hours south of Cairns. Small operators run reef trips from Mission Beach and Dunk Island.
When is the best time to dive Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
June to November.
How many dive sites are there in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
10 documented sites, including 1 wreck. The deepest reaches 35 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
Yes, 7 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 Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
Typically 27-30 °C in summer and 23-25 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm full wetsuit or shorty in summer (27-30 °C); 3-5 mm full wetsuit in winter (23-25 °C); full-length lycra or stinger suit strongly advised November-May and supplied free by most operators.
Which dive centres operate in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
Mission Beach Dive are recorded as running sites in Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Mission Beach & Cassowary Coast?
Townsville University Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Townsville) – Cairns Hospital has no recompression chamber; divers are evacuated by RFDS/air ambulance. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.