Queensland · 16 sites
Swain Reefs dive sites
The Swains are a maze of several hundred reefs on the outer edge of the southern Great Barrier Reef, 150–250 km off Gladstone and Mackay, visited by a few liveaboards and fishing charters. Walls, drop-offs, sharks and coral that sees almost no divers.
- Sites
- 16
- Wrecks
- 1
- Shore
- 0
- Boat
- 16
- Beginner
- 6
- Deepest
- 40 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The spring calm (September–December) is the Swains' main window: extended charters out of Gladstone and Yeppoon for Coral Sea-quality reef with almost no other boats. Trips are 5–10 days; check the cyclone outlook from November.
Getting there
Multi-day liveaboard from Gladstone, Yeppoon or Mackay.
When to go
September to December and March to May, in the lightest winds.
Water & suit
Summer 26-29 °C · winter 21-23 °C. 3 mm full suit year-round (5 mm for multiple dives per day in winter)
Nearest chamber: Townsville University Hospital (Townsville) – requires aeromedical evacuation from a remote reef; Mackay Base Hospital for stabilisation
Most recorded marine life in Swain Reefs
- Coral trout 8
- Reef fish 7
- Sweetlips 6
- Pelagic fish 5
- Reef sharks 5
- Coral gardens 4
- Emperors 4
- Sea snakes 4
- Cod 3
- Flatworms 2
- Gorgonians 2
- Grouper 2
- Nudibranchs 2
- Schooling reef fish 2
The most-dived sites in Swain Reefs
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Swain Reefs
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 Swain Reefs 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.
- Taiwan Reef (Swain Reefs)Reef · Max 15 m · Open Water
- Hixson Cay (Swain Reefs)Reef · Max 30 m · Advanced Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Swain Reefs for, including the main wreck.
- Cockatoo Reef Blue Hole (Pompey Complex)Sinkhole/Cenote · Max 35 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- Blue Line Lagoon (Swain Reefs)Wall · 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 Swain Reefs.
- Gannet Cay (Swain Reefs)Pinnacle/Bommie · Max 35 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
- The New Blue Hole (Pompey Complex)Sinkhole/Cenote · Max 40 m · Technical (decompression)
Dive centres and charters in Swain Reefs
All Queensland operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Eastern Voyager
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Gladstone · Swain Reefs · QLD
Extended fishing and dive charter vessel departing Gladstone to the Swain Reefs.
easternvoyager.com.au · 0436 640 197
14 sites
Kanimbla Charters
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Gladstone · Swain Reefs · QLD
Official site live with a booking form for 7–10 day Swains and Coral Sea charters ex-Gladstone for certified divers; Facebook page active.
kanimblacharters.net.au · 0429 159 233
14 sites
Map of Swain Reefs dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 15 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
Loading map…
1 pinned site. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 16 Swain Reefs dive sites
All Swain Reefs sites at a glance
16 sites in Swain Reefs · click a column to sort
| Blue Line Lagoon (Swain Reefs) | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Central Reef (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Cockatoo Reef Blue Hole (Pompey Complex) | Sinkhole/Cenote | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| East Cay (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Gannet Cay (Swain Reefs) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Hixson Cay (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Hook Reef (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Horseshoe Reef (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Lavers Cay (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Middle Cay (Swain Reefs) | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Mystery Cay (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Sandshoe Reef (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Sinker Reef (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Snake Reef (Swain Reefs) | Wall | Max 40 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| Taiwan Reef (Swain Reefs) | Reef | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
| The New Blue Hole (Pompey Complex) | Sinkhole/Cenote | Max 40 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Expedition |
Swain Reefs diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Swain Reefs?
Multi-day liveaboard from Gladstone, Yeppoon or Mackay.
When is the best time to dive Swain Reefs?
September to December and March to May, in the lightest winds.
How many dive sites are there in Swain Reefs?
16 documented sites, including 1 wreck. The deepest reaches 40 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Swain Reefs?
Yes, 6 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 Swain Reefs?
Typically 26-29 °C in summer and 21-23 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3 mm full suit year-round (5 mm for multiple dives per day in winter).
Which dive centres operate in Swain Reefs?
Eastern Voyager, Kanimbla Charters are recorded as running sites in Swain Reefs. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Swain Reefs?
Townsville University Hospital (Townsville) – requires aeromedical evacuation from a remote reef; Mackay Base Hospital for stabilisation. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.