Overview
Hastings Reef is renowned for its shallow, vibrant coral gardens, making it an ideal spot for Open Water divers and snorkelers. The patchy bommies are densely packed with hard and soft corals.
What you’ll see
Because it’s relatively shallow and protected, the conditions here are typically very calm. It’s the perfect place to dial in your buoyancy and spend time observing macro life without fighting a current.
The Dive Experience
The dive begins by descending onto the shallow reef flat, usually no deeper than 10-12 meters. Here, the sunlight penetrates beautifully, illuminating the vibrant hard corals. You’ll spend most of the dive weaving between coral bommies and exploring small overhangs where juvenile fish hide. The lack of current makes this an incredibly relaxing dive, allowing plenty of time for photography and buoyancy practice.
Getting There
Hastings is a standard stop for day boats departing out of Cairns. The trip out takes roughly 90 minutes to two hours depending on the vessel.
Marine Life to Spot at Hastings Reef
- Reef Sharks
- Sea Turtles
- Barracuda
- Nudibranchs