Cat Reef
Protected Area
Sandbanks
Why dive here
With 154+ marine species recorded in the area - including hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tiger sharks and napoleon wrasse - Cat Reef offers some of Great Barrier Reef's richest reef diving. Water ranges 24-30°C, warmest January, February, March.
Cat Reef offers a solid Great Barrier Reef experience, featuring extensive coral formations. We’ve seen plenty of reef sharks cruising the perimeter here, alongside the usual suspects like parrotfish and surgeonfish. It’s a good choice for divers looking for a reliable reef dive without any major surprises. The currents are generally mild, making it suitable for all experience levels.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 30 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Reviews for Cat Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cat Reef
Cat Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Cat Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-15.65, 145.72) (5km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
26°C
80°F · Range: 24.5–29°C
Current Speed
30.07 cm/s
Direction: S (183.8°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.057 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
35.08 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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