Discover the top 10 lesser-known reefs on the Great Barrier Reef – and how to explore them

10. Sudbury Reef, Cairns

Idyllic Fitzroy Island is just a hop, skip and jump from Cairns – and tucked just behind it is spectacular Sudbury Reef. Sinking your toes into the white sand of this coral cay is just the beginning of what you’ll find here: with many snorkel and dive sites to explore from steep drop offs to shallow clam gardens, soft corals and a vibrancy of marine life you’d expect from much deeper dive sites.

How to get there: Jump onboard a 7-night liveaboard cruise with Coral Expeditions. Outerknown Adventures of the Great Barrier Reef will take you to remote reefs including Osprey, Ribbon and Sudbury. 

9. Little Baron Reef, Yeppoon

Little Baron Reef has some big surprises in store for divers adventurous enough to travel 200 kilometres off the coast of Yeppoon to get there. Not just a haven for migrating humpback whales and loggerhead turtles, the artist’s palette of colour found along the coral walls makes it a highlight of the Swain Reefs National Park – which is made up of over 1,000 separate coral reefs.

How to get there: Head out on a diving and research expedition to Swain Reefs National Park with Adori Charters. 

8. Kangaroo Reef, Bowen

Even more reason to detour to the home of the Big Mango before heading to a Whitsundays island escape is Kangaroo Reef. Nestled inside a protected marine zone offshore of Bowen, dive in here to swim among unmatched coral cover and thousands of tropical fish.

Johnny says the thriving life here comes down to the fast current in the channel that runs through the reef “which is great for coral growth as this keeps the surface temperatures well-mixed and cooler in summer while also delivering food in the form of plankton.”

How to get there: Kiana Sail and Dive offers private charters in the Whitsundays, including Kangaroo Reef, on board MS Kiana – a fully equipped scuba dive vessel.

7. Unnamed Reef, Yeppoon

So untouched it doesn’t even have a name, this collection of small reefs makes up part of the Swain Reefs National Reef – but you’ll be sure to remember a dive here. There’s swim throughs, caves and coral gardens thriving with diverse tropical specials and sharks. Located roughly 280km offshore Yeppoon, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority reference is 21-227.

How to get there: Head out on a diving and research expedition to the Swain Reefs with Adori Charters. 

6. Fitzroy Reef, Great Keppel Island 

Great Keppel Island is the jewel in the crown of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, and a long-time family favourite for chasing sand and sun on its 17 beaches. But there’s a whole other world to explore offshore – and Johnny recommends Fitzroy Reef. The largest of the 22 reefs that form the Capricorn and Bunker reef groups, Fitzroy Reef has been winning hearts of divers and snorkelers for its deep lagoon that offers calm, protected dive sites and anchorage points.

What to expect once you dive in? “An amazing light blue colour with reefs scattered throughout. The highlight was the coral slopes near the channel entry to the lagoon… they were completely covered in tightly compacted diverse hard corals with lots of fish life, particularly parrotfish. It reminded me of some of the spectacular sites right up the top of the Great Barrier Reef, near Raine Island.”

How to get there: Keppel Dive offers day and overnight tours departing from Great Keppel Island (arrive by ferry from Yeppoon). There’s plenty of reasons why you should stick around and explore the island afterwards.

5. Tiger Reef, Bowen

You’ll find the semi-exposed Tiger Reef right next to Kangaroo Reef, east of Bowen in the Whitsundays. Prepare yourself to be surrounded by schools of fish, the odd shark or two, and blooming coral gardens that remain in great condition. 

How to get there: Book a charter with Kiana Sail and Dive.

4. Briggs Reef, Cairns

It’s not just the close proximity to Cairns that makes Briggs Reef a favourite of in-the-know novice and advanced divers. Descend beneath the surface to explore reef walls and bommies, meet turtles and sharks, as well as more hard coral cover than many other sites on the Great Barrier Reef.

How to get there: Cairns’ liveaboard operators often visit dive sites near Briggs Reef. Enquire with Coral Expeditions, Divers Den and Reef Encounter to check their itineraries. 

3. Secret Reef, The Whitsundays

Can you keep a secret? So special even Johnny won’t reveal its location (yet), this secret reef system can be found pretty close to one of the Whitsundays’ more popular dive sites. But perhaps it won’t be hidden for much longer, with a local dive operator working on incorporating it into their tours soon. Stay tuned for updates, and be among the first to dive in. 

2. Elisabeth Reef, The Whitsundays

Journey to the outer edge of the Great Barrier Marine Park in the Whitsundays to discover a spot that took even Johnny’s breath away: Elisabeth Reef.

“The water here is crystal clear with thousands of fish zooming around the reef. This site has considerably high coral cover, particularly on the reef edge. Up to 100 per cent in some parts, which is outstanding and makes it one of my favourite dive sites.”

How to get there: Book a reef charter with Kiana Sail and Dive.

1. Crystal Blue Hole, Yeppoon

Given Johnny’s keen interest in blue holes (even discovering one himself) it’s no wonder Crystal Blue Hole takes the crown in lesser-known reefs you should explore on the Great Barrier Reef.

An adventure from start to finish, this small reef lies 270km offshore from Yeppoon, nestled into Swain Reefs National Park. The rare blue hole is a natural sinkhole that likely collapsed thousands of years ago, forming perfect circle. Jump in to explore the 45m deep hole and you’ll be totally surrounded by coral walls and marine life in a surreal experience of a lifetime.

How to get there: Set sail with Adori Charters’ diving and research expeditions to the Swain Reefs National Park, including Crystal Blue Hole.