Swinger Reef - Great Barrier Reef

Heddington Reef, way up in the Pacific Northwest, is one of those places that reminds you why cold water diving is so special. Forget your typical colourful corals, this is a masterclass in green and gold. We love slipping into the cool embrace here, especially when the light filters down, making the kelp forest just glow. It’s not about huge pelagics or delicate reef fish; it’s about the sheer abundance and the resilience of life in these waters. Drifting through the swaying kelp, you’re almost guaranteed to spot Red Rock Crabs scuttling over the rocks, their shells a deep, vivid red against the muted greens. Keep an eye out for the Flashlight fish, sometimes called Plainfin Midshipman, tucked away in crevices, their bioluminescence a neat trick to catch at depth. While the salmon runs are seasonal, even outside of peak times, you’ll find plenty of Blue Seaperch and sometimes a curious Spotted Ratfish gliding past. The star ascidians here are particularly impressive, forming dense, almost alien colonies on the rock faces. This site really suits divers who appreciate a slower pace, who enjoy seeking out the small details and the unique textures of a temperate reef. It’s a photographer’s dream if you’re into macro and wide-angle without needing bright colours. Expect chilly water, usually around 8-12°C, so a drysuit is definitely our preferred gear.

Location: Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Australasia
Coordinates: -15.250000, 145.533340
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Annan River

Best Time to Dive in Great Barrier Reef

The warmest water temperatures in Great Barrier Reef occur in February, averaging 29.5°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 25.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 29.4°C
February: 29.5°C
March: 29.2°C
April: 28.4°C
May: 26.9°C
June: 25.8°C
July: 25.1°C
August: 25.0°C
September: 25.4°C
October: 26.6°C
November: 27.7°C
December: 29.0°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Swinger Reef

Marine Life in Great Barrier Reef

Home to 163 recorded species including 88 reef fish, 61 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 1 starfish, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) - Sharks & Rays
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
Cauliflower coral (Pocillopora damicornis) - Hard Corals
Lineated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Telescopefish (Epibulus insidiator) - Reef Fish
Banded thicklip (Hemigymnus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
Blunt-head Parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
Chameleon Parrotfish (Scarus chameleon) - Reef Fish
Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Black-back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Swinger Reef

Based on average water temperature of 27.3°C, currents 17 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories