Eclipse Island (Garoogubbee), a small, rocky island in the Palm Islands group, sits within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park surrounded by vibrant fringing reefs. Its remote, undeveloped shoreline offers a wild snorkeling experience with coral gardens, clear tropical waters, and abundant marine life. Part of the Aboriginal Shire of Palm Island, this spot provides a pristine, off-the-beaten-path reef setting with excellent visibility — a true hidden gem for adventurous snorkelers.
Eclipse Island
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 3.0 sWind Speed 2.0 knPrecipitation 1.7 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Eclipse Island has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Remote location danger
The island is remote with no on-site facilities, medical services, or phone reception; emergencies require boat evacuation.
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
High risk: Remote location
The island is remote with no on-site facilities, medical services, or phone reception; emergencies require boat evacuation.
Moderate risk: Tidal currents
Strong tidal currents can flow through the channels between the Palm Islands, making drift snorkeling a risk for inexperienced swimmers.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are prevalent in tropical North Queensland waters during the warmer months (October to May).
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Eclipse Island is part of the Palm Islands group, approximately 65 km north of Townsville. Access is by private boat, charter, or scenic flight from Townsville. The nearest ferry/barge services go to Great Palm Island from Townsville or Lucinda, from which a private vessel is needed to reach Eclipse Island.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at the Townsville Breakwater Ferry Terminal or at Lucinda departure points for those arranging boat transfers. No vehicle access on the island itself.
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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