Eagle Reef - Québec

Upolu Reef sits a comfortable distance from Cairns, far enough to feel like you’ve genuinely escaped the day-tripper crowds, but still an easy boat ride. What we love about Upolu is its accessibility. It’s a great introduction to the Outer Reef, with plenty of sheltered patches that keep things calm even on a breezier day. We’re big fans of the coral bommies here. They rise from a sandy bottom, some reaching almost to the surface, just begging to be explored. You’ll find schools of Ambon pullers shimmering around them, and we’ve often spotted Bluestripe pipefish tucked into the staghorn coral. Keep an eye out for the Pinkbanded grubfish; they’re little characters darting between the coral branches. On a good day, with a bit of sun, the light play through the water is gorgeous, picking out the colours of the stony corals. We’d suggest an early morning dive if you can swing it; the reef is just waking up and it feels like you have the whole place to yourself. Visibility averages a solid 15-20 metres, making it a relaxed spot for divers getting their sea legs or those simply wanting an unhurried exploration.

Location

Québec, Canada, North America

Coordinates

45.516800, -80.583010

Type

reef