Butterfly Bay - Hook Island, Whitsundays

Butterfly Bay, located on the northern side of Hook Island in the Whitsundays, is a popular anchorage for bareboat travelers. It offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving and provides protection from most wind conditions. The bay is named after its butterfly inhabitants, which can sometimes be spotted on the beach during certain times of the year.

There are limited public moorings available, but visitors can enjoy snorkeling along the bay's edge or just off the beach. The area features coral outcrops with shallow walls and is home to a variety of small, colorful reef fish. The best snorkeling spots, known as bommies, can be found in the center of the bay, although they may be challenging to locate at high tide. It's important to be cautious of tidal currents when moving toward the center of the bay.

Visibility in the water ranges from 2 to 10 meters, with diving depths between 5 and 12 meters. The seabed consists of coral cover, with large patches of coral rubble and silty sand. Butterfly Bay is an excellent snorkeling and diving location that offers protection from most wind conditions and has its namesake butterfly inhabitants found on the beach at certain times of the year.