Tucked into the western edge of Border Island, Cateran Bay is a sheltered, shallow bay with crystal-clear turquoise waters and a small sandy beach that appears at mid to high tide. The bay is a Marine National Park Green Zone (no fishing), protecting its vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life. Snorkelers drift over bommies and patch reefs teeming with colorful fish, turtles, and rays, all within a calm, protected anchorage that feels utterly secluded. A short 1.2 km bushwalk up the hill rewards with sweeping views across the southern Whitsunday islands.
Cateran Bay
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.5 sWind Speed 4.9 knPrecipitation 0.8 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Southerly wind bullets
Strong southerly winds can create 'bullets' (sudden, strong gusts) and rough conditions in the anchorage, making boat handling and snorkeling hazardous.
Low risk: Tidal beach access
The beach is only accessible at mid to high tide — at low tide the sand is submerged or very narrow.
Low risk: Shallow coral bommies
Shallow reefs and coral bommies lie close to the surface, posing a risk of cuts or coral damage if swimmers do not float with care.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Cateran Bay is on the western side of Border Island, approximately 30 km east of Airlie Beach. Access is exclusively by private yacht, chartered sailing vessel, or commercial tour operator. It is a popular overnight anchorage on Whitsunday sailing itineraries and is close to Whitehaven Beach.
Parking & facilities
No parking available — there is no road access to Border Island. All visitors arrive by boat and moor at the designated anchorage buoys or anchor in the bay.
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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