Banana Bommie is a towering coral pinnacle rising from the sandy floor of Michaelmas Reef, roughly 40 km northeast of Cairns. This isolated 'bommie' (a local term for a submerged coral head) is a magnet for pelagic life, with reef sharks, manta rays, and large schools of trevally cruising its flanks. The bommie is draped in vibrant hard and soft corals, with depths ranging from 6 to 20 metres, making it a thrilling snorkel site where the drop-off teems with action. It's a classic Great Barrier Reef pinnacle — one of the most popular stops on outer reef tours.
Banana Bommie (Michaelmas Reef)
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 5.8 sWind Speed 8.7 knPrecipitation 4.4 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Stinger season (box jellyfish)
Marine stingers (box jellyfish) are present in Great Barrier Reef waters during the warmer months (November to May).
Low risk: Tidal currents
Surface currents can be moderate around the bommie, especially during tidal changes, requiring reasonable swimming fitness.
Low risk: Sudden depth changes
The bommie is a pinnacle — drop-offs from shallow reef flat to 20 m depth. Snorkelers should be aware of depth changes.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Banana Bommie is located on Michaelmas Reef, approximately 40 km northeast of Cairns. Access is exclusively by commercial day-tour catamarans or liveaboard vessels departing from Cairns or Port Douglas.
Parking & facilities
Park at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal or Port Douglas Marina — long-term paid parking available nearby.
toilets
Accessible via reef tour operators; typical day-tour prices range from $200–$250 AUD per person including snorkel gear, lunch, and reef tax.
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Gallery ┬╖ 1 photos
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports