Dauan Island (also known as Mount Cornwallis Island) rises steeply from the Torres Strait just 5 km from the Papua New Guinea border, crowned by the State's northernmost granite peak — part of the Great Dividing Range. The island is fringed by pristine, untouched reefs rarely visited by snorkelers, where the waters blend Great Barrier Reef species with those of the Coral Triangle. Cool freshwater springs trickle from the granite slopes down to the coast, where the surrounding waters teem with fish. This is one of Australia's most remote and culturally significant snorkeling destinations, offering a true wilderness experience far from any tourist crowds.
Dauan Island
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Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 3.8 sWind Speed 1.6 knPrecipitation 2.4 mmTidal Phase flood
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Dauan Island has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Extreme remoteness danger
Dauan Island is extremely remote with no dedicated medical facilities. Serious injury or envenomation requires emergency evacuation by helicopter.
- Saltwater crocodiles danger
Saltwater crocodiles inhabit the Torres Strait islands and waters surrounding Dauan. Exercise extreme caution when entering the water.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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High risk: Extreme remoteness
Dauan Island is extremely remote with no dedicated medical facilities. Serious injury or envenomation requires emergency evacuation by helicopter.
High risk: Saltwater crocodiles
Saltwater crocodiles inhabit the Torres Strait islands and waters surrounding Dauan. Exercise extreme caution when entering the water.
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
The Torres Strait experiences strong tidal flows that can create dangerous currents around the island's fringing reefs. Snorkelers must be aware of tidal movements.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Marine stingers including box jellyfish are present in Torres Strait waters, particularly during the warmer months.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
2 photos from the community
Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Dauan Island is located in the Torres Strait, approximately 200 km north of Cape York. Access is via charter helicopter or small aircraft from the mainland, with freight and goods arriving by sea. No regular public ferry service exists. Most visitors access the Torres Strait islands via specialist expedition tours or liveaboard charters operating from Cairns or Thursday Island.
Parking & facilities
No parking on the island. Vehicles are not part of the island's infrastructure.
Access requires charter arrangements and permits; costs vary significantly by operator.
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Gallery ┬╖ 2 photos
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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