[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":225},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-cockermouth-island-reef-mackay-islands":9,"spot-cockermouth-island-reef-mackay-islands":51},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-03T06:32:05.526386Z",{"title":10,"description":11,"canonical_url":12,"og_image":13,"structured_data":14,"breadcrumbs":44},"Snorkeling Conditions at Cockermouth Island Reef (Mackay Islands) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Cockermouth Island Reef (Mackay Islands), Queensland. Excellent conditions, water 23.3°C, waves 0.10m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fcockermouth-island-reef-mackay-islands","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fog-default.png",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Cockermouth Island Reef (Mackay Islands)","Cockermouth Island is a secluded tropical paradise in the South Cumberland Islands, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This uninhabited gem boasts a turquoise lagoon fringed by ancient cor...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-20.772516,149.398709,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","Queensland","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Cockermouth Island Reef (Mackay Islands)",{"@context":16,"@type":32,"itemListElement":33},"BreadcrumbList",[34,39,42],{"@type":35,"position":36,"name":37,"item":38},"ListItem",1,"Home","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com",{"@type":35,"position":40,"name":26,"item":41},2,"https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fexplore?region=queensland",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=queensland",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fcockermouth-island-reef-mackay-islands",{"id":52,"name":18,"slug":53,"latitude":22,"longitude":23,"description":54,"difficulty":55,"image_url":56,"status":57,"tide_constituents":58,"hazard_entries":109,"access_info_structured":163,"area_boundary":56,"routes":56,"created_at":168,"updated_at":169,"today_conditions":170,"today_verdict_view":191,"images":221,"submitted_by":222,"region_name":26,"verification_status":224,"verified_at":56,"disputed":219,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":56},"e186bd22-0fb6-411f-9984-05f72e4eb5ae","cockermouth-island-reef-mackay-islands","Cockermouth Island is a secluded tropical paradise in the South Cumberland Islands, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This uninhabited gem boasts a turquoise lagoon fringed by ancient coral reefs that thrive thanks to massive tidal movement (up to 8 m) that prevents sediment from smothering the coral. Snorkelers can explore vibrant coral bommies, shallow lagoons, and fringing reefs teeming with green sea turtles, reef fish, and small reef sharks. The island's pristine condition — preserved by its remote location and lack of mass tourism — offers some of the finest coral biodiversity in the southern Great Barrier Reef, with Fiji-like scenery and beachside snorkelling accessible straight from the shore at low tide.","intermediate",null,"published",{"name":59,"amplitude":75,"phase":91,"latitude":22,"model":107,"epoch":108},[60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90],0.05151277702505039,0.024681742439509387,0.3754918380671851,0.1481993179534748,1.428810816516552,0.02318173868629364,0.00985291922533669,0.030070920577685428,0.3541432282144932,0.18339291543825453,0.11380556640019344,0.03290516567976758,0.009341267235485264,0.5116886332404735,0.021522166070970582,[92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105,106],7.39651313730316,53.96312815312698,35.74320250281346,11.808422765530223,29.489819841164433,96.20165352987443,176.23758636435412,192.09539444246212,15.305549198531258,6.816468169719803,33.93344126861541,338.1401994837912,310.1357370946939,14.301659373751303,351.9477055113232,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[110,114,118,121,124,127,130,133,136,139,142,145,148,151,154,157,160],{"name":111,"description":112,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Strong tidal currents (up to 8m range)","Tides of up to 8 metres create strong currents through the lagoon channels, especially during outgoing tide. Snorkellers must be aware of tidal flow to avoid being swept away from the island.","warning",{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Marine stingers (jellyfish)","Marine stingers (including box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in these tropical waters, particularly during the warmer months.","caution",{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Remote location — no facilities or water","The island is accessible only by private boat or charter. There are no facilities, no drinking water, and no ranger station. Snorkellers must be fully self-sufficient.",{"name":122,"description":123,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Sharp exposed reef at low tide","The ancient Pleistocene reef and coral bommies are exposed at low tide and can be razor-sharp. Snorkellers should wear reef shoes and avoid standing on coral.",{"name":125,"description":126,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Extreme sun exposure","Sun exposure is extreme in tropical Queensland waters. Limited shade on the island's open grassland areas.",{"name":128,"description":129,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Strong tidal currents","Tides in this area can reach up to 8 metres, creating very strong currents through the lagoon channels, especially during incoming and outgoing tides.",{"name":131,"description":132,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Marine stingers","Marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Year-round risk, peaking in warmer months.",{"name":134,"description":135,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Remote location — no facilities","Remote island with no facilities, drinking water, or mobile reception. Self-sufficiency is essential.",{"name":137,"description":138,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Outgoing tide current","Tidal range up to 8 metres creates strong currents, especially around the reef edges and lagoon entrance. Snorkellers should be aware of tide times and avoid being swept out of the lagoon.",{"name":140,"description":141,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Remote isolation","The island is remote with no facilities, drinking water, or phone reception. Snorkellers must be fully self-sufficient and carry emergency communication.",{"name":143,"description":144,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Shallow coral exposure at low tide","At low tide, large areas of the lagoon are very shallow (less than 1 m), exposing the ancient Pleistocene reef platform with sharp coral.",{"name":146,"description":147,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Low tide exposure of reef","During low tide, large areas of the lagoon on the western side recede to expose an ancient Pleistocene reef. Snorkellers must be careful not to walk on exposed coral and avoid being stranded in the lagoon.",{"name":149,"description":150,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Small reef sharks in lagoon","Small (under 2 feet) reef sharks such as epaulette sharks are commonly seen cruising the lagoon. They are harmless and will quickly swim away if approached, but swimmers should be aware and give them space.",{"name":152,"description":153,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Extreme tidal range","Tides range up to 8 metres, causing rapid water movement through the lagoon channels. Snorkelers must time their entry with slack tide and avoid being swept out.",{"name":155,"description":156,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Exposed reef at low tide","The lagoon is very shallow at low tide, exposing ancient reef platforms. Snorkelers risk cuts and scrapes from sharp coral if not careful.",{"name":158,"description":159,"severity":113,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Remote location","Remote island with no facilities, medical aid, or ranger presence. Emergencies require self-rescue or satellite communication.",{"name":161,"description":162,"severity":117,"season_start":56,"season_end":56},"Juvenile reef sharks","Small reef sharks (up to 2 ft) cruise the lagoon daily. While harmless and shy, they may startle inexperienced snorkelers.",{"directions":164,"parking":165,"facilities":56,"fees":166,"access_method":167},"Located 45 km northeast of Mackay, Queensland. Accessible only by private boat, charter, or the Wildcat Mackay tour (Red Cat Adventures). Depart from Mackay Harbour. The island is undeveloped with no jetties — beach landings on the western lagoon side.","Park at Mackay Harbour public car park before boarding your vessel. No vehicle access to the island itself.","Camping permit required from Queensland Parks (South Cumberland Islands National Park). Tour prices from approx. A$169 per person.","boat","2026-07-27T02:56:39.962740Z","2026-08-04T05:37:15.121001Z",{"verdict":171,"evaluated_at":172,"models":173},"go","2026-10-03T02:20:40.426434Z",[174,181,186],{"model_name":175,"is_favourable":176,"value":177,"threshold":178,"unit":179,"operator":180},"Wind Speed",true,5.46,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":182,"is_favourable":176,"value":183,"threshold":184,"unit":185,"operator":180},"Wave Height",0.102,0.5,"m",{"model_name":187,"is_favourable":176,"value":188,"threshold":40,"unit":189,"operator":190},"Visibility",2.7,"","gte",{"verdict":171,"rating":192,"evaluated_at":172,"generated_at":172,"source":193,"confidence":194,"visibility":197,"parameters":198,"models_passed":220,"models_total":214},"Excellent","precomputed",{"level":195,"value":196},"High",100,{"score":188,"rating":56,"confidence":56},[199,201,207,210,216],{"name":182,"value":200,"label":56,"unit":185,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":184,"marginal_max":36},0.10218393364578326,{"name":202,"value":203,"label":56,"unit":204,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":205,"marginal_max":206},"Swell Period",2.25,"s",8,12,{"name":175,"value":208,"label":56,"unit":179,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":178,"marginal_max":209},5.463692430332861,15,{"name":211,"value":212,"label":56,"unit":213,"favourable":176,"score":43,"optimal_max":214,"marginal_max":215},"Precipitation",0.1,"mm",5,20,{"name":217,"value":56,"label":218,"unit":189,"favourable":219,"score":36,"optimal_max":56,"marginal_max":56},"Tidal Phase","flood",false,4,[],{"display_name":223},"Daniel","unverified",1791009142699]