Colours Reef is a little-known offshore snorkeling destination near the mouth of the Manning River at Harrington on the NSW Mid North Coast. This fringing reef system sits roughly 2 km offshore from Reef Cl, accessible by boat or kayak on calm days. The reef's structure features low-profile rocky shelves and gutter formations that attract temperate fish species and, during summer, pelagic visitors. Its name comes from the vibrant mix of sponges, soft corals, and seaweed that paint the submerged landscape in hues of orange, purple, and green. Best visited on high tide in calm seas with good visibility.
Colours (Colours Reef)
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 7.1 sWind Speed 1.3 knPrecipitation 0.2 mmTidal Phase slack
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Offshore current
Strong tidal currents flowing in and out of the Manning River mouth can sweep snorkelers away from the reef, especially on outgoing tides.
Low risk: Boat traffic
The reef is used by local fishing boats and may have vessel traffic, particularly on weekends and during holiday periods.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Wind and swell stir up sediment from the Manning River outflow, reducing underwater visibility, particularly after rain.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Colours Reef lies off Harrington, approximately 2 km offshore from the Harrington Beach area near the Manning River mouth. Access is via private boat or kayak launched from Harrington Beach or the boat ramp at Harrington Harbour. From the Manning River entrance, head east-northeast once clear of the breakers.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available near Harrington Beach carpark on Beach Street or at the Harrington Harbour boat ramp area.
parkingboat_ramp
No fees for beach access. Boat ramp at Harrington Harbour may have a small launch fee (check local signage).
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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