Great Barrier Reef, Australia
    Starcke River (Ngulun)

    Turtle Reef

    Best months: Feb–Mar

    Protected Area

    Starcke River (Ngulun)

    Why dive here

    With 154+ marine species recorded in the area - including hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, tiger sharks and napoleon wrasse - Turtle Reef offers some of Great Barrier Reef's richest reef diving. Water ranges 24-30°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeFeb–Mar
    WetsuitNo wetsuit needed, or a rash guard
    Marine lifeHammerhead Sharks, Sea Turtles, Tiger Sharks and Napoleon Wrasse · 154+ species recorded
    Water24-30°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Turtle Reef. The name gives it away, doesn't it? It’s exactly what it says on the tin. We’ve had dives here where we've counted upwards of 15 green sea turtles, just cruising past, sometimes stopping for a scratch on a coral bommie. It’s not just a turtle spot, though. We love the sheer expanse of the staghorn coral here. It forms these incredible, intricate cities, stretching out in every direction, punctuated by the occasional massive stony coral head. Diving Turtle Reef often feels like navigating a maze built by nature. Look closely amongst those branching corals and you'll spot countless tiny blennies, particularly the striking crested sabretooth and banded blennies darting in and out. Keep an eye out for the dusky filefish, too; they're masters of camouflage amongst the coral. Our favourite tip for Turtle Reef is to take it slow. Find a comfortable spot, settle in, and let the reef come alive around you. The currents here are generally pretty mild, making it a relaxed dive suitable for newer divers looking for that classic GBR experience.

    Safety Notes

    Strong currents typical this month (avg 30 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.

    Today05:5618:1812h 21m daylightGolden hour 17:49

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Turtle Reef

    Turtle Reef Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Turtle Reef, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-15.65, 145.72) (5km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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