[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":317},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-seo-cook-island-turtle-island":9,"spot-cook-island-turtle-island":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 Cook Island (Turtle Island) - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Cook Island (Turtle Island), New South Wales. Good conditions, water 21.4°C, waves 0.97m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fcook-island-turtle-island","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_cook-island-turtle-island_0_2caa58624d10.jpg",[15,28],{"@context":16,"@type":17,"name":18,"description":19,"url":12,"geo":20,"address":24},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Cook Island (Turtle Island)","Cook Island Aquatic Reserve (Jungarra Ngarrian) sits 600 metres offshore from Fingal Head on the Tweed Coast of northern NSW, a protected sanctuary famed for its resident green and hawksbill sea tu...",{"@type":21,"latitude":22,"longitude":23},"GeoCoordinates",-28.195873,153.578029,{"@type":25,"addressRegion":26,"addressCountry":27},"PostalAddress","New South Wales","Australia",{"@context":16,"@type":29,"name":30,"description":11,"url":12,"breadcrumb":31},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Cook Island (Turtle Island)",{"@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=new-south-wales",{"@type":35,"position":43,"name":18,"item":12},3,[45,47,49],{"label":37,"href":46},"\u002F",{"label":26,"href":48},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":18,"href":50},"\u002Fspots\u002Fcook-island-turtle-island",{"id":52,"name":18,"slug":53,"latitude":22,"longitude":23,"description":54,"difficulty":55,"image_url":13,"status":56,"tide_constituents":57,"hazard_entries":108,"access_info_structured":227,"area_boundary":113,"routes":113,"created_at":235,"updated_at":236,"today_conditions":237,"today_verdict_view":259,"images":283,"submitted_by":314,"region_name":26,"verification_status":316,"verified_at":113,"disputed":250,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":113},"70382f93-5960-459b-a9f3-69be524b4647","cook-island-turtle-island","Cook Island Aquatic Reserve (Jungarra Ngarrian) sits 600 metres offshore from Fingal Head on the Tweed Coast of northern NSW, a protected sanctuary famed for its resident green and hawksbill sea turtles. The rocky island is surrounded by shallow reefs (3–10 m deep) teeming with colourful reef fish, leopard sharks, rays, and seasonal humpback whales. Snorkelers typically access the site by guided tour from Tweed Heads, drifting along the island's edges where turtles graze just metres from the rocks. The best conditions occur November–April when water temperatures reach 20–28°C, though currents and swell can push swimmers toward the rocky shoreline, making moderate experience advisable.","intermediate","published",{"name":58,"amplitude":74,"phase":90,"latitude":22,"model":106,"epoch":107},[59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73],"2N2","J1","K1","K2","M2","M4","MF","MM","N2","O1","P1","Q1","S1","S2","T2",[75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89],0.018446530324711077,0.011591962698748818,0.19097614224378442,0.041811830149581335,0.5278589394225733,0.004173573244971202,0.00030672463821189005,0.003099411491672791,0.11017754966879373,0.1061016117059534,0.054754387449331456,0.024901874622748524,0.002240626616902413,0.15163027055915884,0.010826837138963007,[91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102,103,104,105],289.7194723340438,0.6047713499537791,352.94381198360395,296.30989802896886,300.8063885445596,196.08815789252003,176.0401309737639,4.591885732127764,292.1725422798653,319.95657901014863,344.4299452587541,299.0432634221982,326.40154696878994,310.4767454249452,319.9267727901454,"EOT20","1992-01-01T00:00:00Z",[109,114,118,122,125,128,131,134,137,140,145,150,153,156,159,162,165,168,171,174,177,180,183,186,189,192,195,198,201,204,207,210,215,218,221,224],{"name":110,"description":111,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong tidal currents","Strong tidal currents sweep around the island, making unguided swimming or kayaking extremely dangerous. Fatalities have occurred. Tours operate only in safe conditions.","danger",null,{"name":115,"description":116,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Choppy conditions and swell","The exposed ocean location can produce choppy seas and wind-affected conditions, especially in summer afternoons. Tour operators monitor conditions closely.","warning",{"name":119,"description":120,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Shark presence","Sharks including wobbegongs, grey nurse sharks and bull sharks are present in the reserve; generally not aggressive but swimmers should be aware.","caution",{"name":123,"description":124,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Boat traffic","Boats use the waters around Cook Island; stay within the tour group's designated snorkel zone and watch for vessel traffic.",{"name":126,"description":127,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong currents","Tidal currents can sweep around the island, especially during outgoing tides. Snorkelers should stay with their tour group and guide.",{"name":129,"description":130,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Marine stingers","Box jellyfish and other stingers may be present during the warmer months (November to May). Wetsuits are recommended.",{"name":132,"description":133,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sea sickness risk","The 600 m boat crossing can be choppy depending on conditions. Individuals prone to motion sickness should take precautions.",{"name":135,"description":136,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Swell surge towards rocks","Swell and surge can push swimmers towards the rocky shoreline of Cook Island, requiring strong swimming ability.",{"name":138,"description":139,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rough conditions","The water around the island can be rough even when coastal conditions appear calm; weather can change quickly.",{"name":141,"description":142,"severity":117,"season_start":143,"season_end":144},"Strong currents and ocean swell","Cook Island is exposed to ocean swells and tidal currents that can sweep snorkellers away from the island. Calm conditions essential.",6,8,{"name":146,"description":147,"severity":121,"season_start":148,"season_end":149},"Marine stingers (seasonal)","Bluebottles and jellyfish can be present, particularly in warmer months.",11,12,{"name":151,"description":152,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rough conditions in poor weather","Sea conditions around Cook Island can be rough even when the coast appears calm; white water can surround the island.",{"name":154,"description":155,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Marine traffic","Boat traffic in the area near the island and Tweed River entrance requires awareness.",{"name":157,"description":158,"severity":117,"season_start":143,"season_end":144},"Ocean swell and surge","Swell can push snorkellers toward the rocky shoreline of Cook Island, requiring strong swimming ability to maintain position.",{"name":160,"description":161,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rough sea conditions","Even when the coast appears calm, surrounding waters can be rough; tour operators monitor conditions closely before departing.",{"name":163,"description":164,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Tidal currents","Strong tidal flows can develop between the island and mainland, particularly on an outgoing tide, making swimming back difficult.",{"name":166,"description":167,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sharks","Wobbegong and bull sharks are occasionally sighted; while generally not aggressive, they should be given respectful distance.",{"name":169,"description":170,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Changing weather","Swell and wind conditions can change rapidly, reducing visibility and making boat travel uncomfortable.",{"name":172,"description":173,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Tweed Bar crossing","The Tweed River bar crossing can become dangerous in southerly swells and strong outflow; boat access should only be attempted by experienced skippers or via commercial tours.",{"name":175,"description":176,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Swell and wind exposure","The island provides reasonable shelter, but the east side can be affected by south-easterly winds and swell, creating challenging surface conditions.",{"name":178,"description":179,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Vessel traffic","Boat traffic in the aquatic reserve — snorkelers must stay aware of vessels approaching moorings.",{"name":181,"description":182,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong Currents & Swell","Ocean currents and swell around the island can push snorkellers towards the rocky shoreline. Conditions may be rough even when the coast appears calm.",{"name":184,"description":185,"severity":112,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Surging Waves Near Rocks","Waves breaking against the island's rocks create a surge zone. Snorkellers must stay 15–30m clear of the rocks to avoid being pushed into them.",{"name":187,"description":188,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Drift Snorkel Current","Strong currents on the south side of the island create a drift-snorkel scenario. Only confident swimmers should attempt this; inexperienced swimmers may struggle.",{"name":190,"description":191,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Boat Traffic","The reserve is accessed by boat, and mooring areas see dive\u002Fsnorkel tour vessels operating. Snorkellers should be aware of boat movements near entry\u002Fexit points.",{"name":193,"description":194,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Bluebottle jellyfish","Portuguese man o' war (bluebottles) frequent the area during north-easterly winds, typically spring through autumn.",{"name":196,"description":197,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Stingers (Nov-Apr)","Stinging jellyfish and bluebottles can be present in warmer months.",{"name":199,"description":200,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Bottom-dwelling marine life","Wobbegong sharks and stingrays resting on the sandy bottom can be startled if stepped on.",{"name":202,"description":203,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Strong Currents","Moderate to strong currents can develop around the island, especially on the southern side where drift snorkeling occurs.",{"name":205,"description":206,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Swell and Surge","Ocean swell and surge can push snorkelers toward the rocky shoreline of the island.",{"name":208,"description":209,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Rocky Shoreline","Sharp rocks and breaking waves along the island's edge pose a hazard for swimmers getting too close.",{"name":211,"description":212,"severity":117,"season_start":213,"season_end":214},"Swell and surge near rocks","Waves breaking on the island's rocky shore create a surge that can push snorkellers towards the rocks. Conditions can be rough even when the coast appears calm.",5,9,{"name":216,"description":217,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Swell and surge towards rocks","Swell can create a surge that pushes swimmers towards the rocky shoreline of the island. Conditions may appear calm from shore but can be rough around the island.",{"name":219,"description":220,"severity":117,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Ocean swell","Exposed to easterly swells that can create surging conditions over the ledges.",{"name":222,"description":223,"severity":121,"season_start":113,"season_end":113},"Sharp reef","Rocky ledges and reef shelf have sharp edges; scrapes and cuts are common in surge zones.",{"name":225,"description":226,"severity":121,"season_start":36,"season_end":149},"Strong currents around island points","Tidal currents can be strong around the northern and southern headlands of the island, especially on an outgoing tide.",{"directions":228,"parking":229,"facilities":230,"fees":233,"access_method":234},"Cook Island sits approximately 1.5 km off Fingal Head, just south of the NSW\u002FQLD border. Access is by guided boat tour launching from the Gold Coast (Tweed Heads \u002F Boyds Bay area). Do not attempt to swim or kayak — strong currents and exposed conditions make this extremely dangerous.","Parking is available at Fingal Head reserve or at your tour operator's designated departure point.",[231,232],"parking","toilets","No entry fee to the reserve, but access requires a paid guided snorkel tour (~$119–$159 per person, including gear and wetsuit).","snorkel_tour","2026-07-27T02:56:08.893953Z","2026-08-04T05:34:24.990597Z",{"verdict":238,"evaluated_at":239,"models":240},"go","2026-10-03T02:17:37.702377Z",[241,248,254],{"model_name":242,"is_favourable":243,"value":244,"threshold":245,"unit":246,"operator":247},"Wind Speed",true,4.84,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":249,"is_favourable":250,"value":251,"threshold":252,"unit":253,"operator":247},"Wave Height",false,0.975,0.5,"m",{"model_name":255,"is_favourable":243,"value":256,"threshold":40,"unit":257,"operator":258},"Visibility",2.24,"","gte",{"verdict":238,"rating":260,"evaluated_at":239,"generated_at":239,"source":261,"confidence":262,"visibility":265,"parameters":266,"models_passed":43,"models_total":213},"Good","precomputed",{"level":263,"value":264},"High",100,{"score":256,"rating":113,"confidence":113},[267,269,273,276,280],{"name":249,"value":268,"label":113,"unit":253,"favourable":250,"score":36,"optimal_max":252,"marginal_max":36},0.9751349097111002,{"name":270,"value":271,"label":113,"unit":272,"favourable":243,"score":43,"optimal_max":144,"marginal_max":149},"Swell Period",6.9,"s",{"name":242,"value":274,"label":113,"unit":246,"favourable":243,"score":43,"optimal_max":245,"marginal_max":275},4.839357600406732,15,{"name":277,"value":5,"label":113,"unit":278,"favourable":243,"score":43,"optimal_max":213,"marginal_max":279},"Precipitation","mm",20,{"name":281,"value":113,"label":282,"unit":257,"favourable":250,"score":36,"optimal_max":113,"marginal_max":113},"Tidal Phase","flood",[284,290,296,302,307,311],{"id":285,"image_url":13,"sort_order":5,"is_primary":243,"moderation_status":286,"license":287,"license_url":113,"attribution":288,"author_name":289},"a5accd43-cfcd-46c9-b032-3894e3b73144","approved","CC BY 2.5","Photo by Photo courtesy of Gold Coast Info .","Photo courtesy of Gold Coast Info .",{"id":291,"image_url":292,"sort_order":36,"is_primary":250,"moderation_status":286,"license":293,"license_url":113,"attribution":294,"author_name":295},"3dec0e57-e050-4027-910d-e128ee6e4656","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_cook-island-turtle-island_1_f082105b8935.jpg","CC BY-SA 2.0","Photo by Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia","Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia",{"id":297,"image_url":298,"sort_order":40,"is_primary":250,"moderation_status":286,"license":299,"license_url":113,"attribution":300,"author_name":301},"5c4c6bc5-d73f-449d-b963-b5e8523029dd","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_cook-island-turtle-island_2_e8a1f0d991c9.jpg","CC BY-SA 4.0","Photo by Chris Olszewski","Chris Olszewski",{"id":303,"image_url":304,"sort_order":43,"is_primary":250,"moderation_status":286,"license":305,"license_url":306,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"97c56941-9726-4d28-81c8-b160569176f2","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_cook-island-turtle-island_3_114648ea190e.jpg","Public domain","https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FPublic_domain",{"id":308,"image_url":309,"sort_order":310,"is_primary":250,"moderation_status":286,"license":305,"license_url":306,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"8a943af5-7b94-4b6f-9c6d-49fc5cea76be","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_cook-island-turtle-island_4_3fc7c7ff3410.jpg",4,{"id":312,"image_url":313,"sort_order":213,"is_primary":250,"moderation_status":286,"license":305,"license_url":306,"attribution":113,"author_name":113},"52532d2d-8d2a-4e1b-9fbf-4e5dd6b7f6f0","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.syd1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\u002Fspots\u002Fimport_cook-island-turtle-island_5_1152a94956f0.jpg",{"display_name":315},"Daniel","unverified",1791009144023]