Castle Rock marks the southern tip of Whitsunday Island, where a dramatic rocky headland frames a sheltered fringing reef teeming with marine life. The site features a shallow coral garden with vibrant hard and soft corals, colourful reef fish, and the chance to encounter turtles and rays. The bay is protected from most wind directions, making it a reliable snorkelling destination in the Whitsundays. Accessible only by boat, it offers a quieter alternative to the more crowded northern sites, with clear water and excellent visibility typical of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Castle Rock (southern end)
IntermediateGO
GO
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.4 sWind Speed 6.2 knPrecipitation 0.3 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Stinging jellyfish (including box jellyfish) may be present in Whitsunday waters during the warmer months.
Low risk: Southerly wind swell
Southerly winds can create choppy conditions and reduce visibility at the exposed southern end of the island.
Low risk: Boat traffic and moorings
Vessels anchor in the bay; be aware of boat traffic, mooring lines, and anchor chains when entering and exiting the water.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Castle Rock is located at the southern end of Whitsunday Island. Access is by private boat, charter vessel, or as part of a guided snorkel tour departing from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. The site is a popular anchorage for sailing yachts exploring the Whitsundays.
Parking & facilities
No parking at the site itself. Park at marinas in Airlie Beach (e.g., Port of Airlie or Abel Point Marina) if joining a tour or charter. Hamilton Island also has marina facilities for boat hire or tours.
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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