Banks Bank is a lesser-known outer reef bommie (bommie) on the Great Barrier Reef, situated off the Cairns coast in Far North Queensland. This submerged reef structure rises from deeper water, creating a nutrient-rich upwelling that supports vibrant coral gardens and schooling pelagic fish. The site offers snorkelers clear, warm tropical waters and the chance to explore a pristine coral ecosystem away from the more crowded inner reef spots. Its offshore location means it's accessed via boat tours that typically visit multiple reef sites in a day.
Banks Bank
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Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 4.4 sWind Speed 2.2 knPrecipitation 6.1 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Ocean currents
Banks Bank is an offshore reef with no land nearby, subject to ocean currents that can be moderate to strong.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Stinger season in tropical Queensland brings marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) that pose a serious risk from November to May.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Boat traffic in the outer reef area includes large tour vessels; snorkelers must be aware of their surroundings.
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Getting in
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Entry
Banks Bank is a reef system located on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Queensland. Access is exclusively by boat, typically via snorkel and dive tour operators departing from Cairns or Port Douglas.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Cairns marina or tour operator departure points.
Tour operator fees apply — typically AU$150–$250 per person for a full-day reef trip from Cairns.
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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