Flare Point is a premier snorkel and dive site nestled between Ribbon Reefs #3 and #2 on Australia's northern Great Barrier Reef. This remote outer reef location features spectacular coral gardens dominated by vibrant Acropora corals in the shallows, with a dramatic reef wall dropping into deeper water. The site offers classic unspoiled coral reef scenery abundant with marine life, including potato cod, colourful tropical fish, and reef sharks. Snorkelers typically enter via tender boat from a liveaboard vessel and drift along the reef wall, enjoying pristine coral formations and excellent visibility in this isolated, world-class marine environment.
Flare Point
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 6.5 sWind Speed 9.9 knPrecipitation 1.9 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Remote location
Flare Point is a remote outer reef accessible only by boat. Emergency evacuation is hours away; medical conditions must be disclosed before departure.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Stinger season brings potentially dangerous marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) to northern Queensland waters from November to May.
Moderate risk: Strong currents
Strong currents and upwelling along the Continental Shelf edge can sweep snorkelers away from the reef. Requires good fitness and confidence in the water.
Moderate risk: Exposed open-ocean conditions
Open ocean site with no land shelter; wind and swell can create rough surface conditions, making boat operations and snorkeling challenging.
Moderate risk: Night dive hazards
Night snorkeling exposes the site's hunting behaviour — large predators actively feed after dark. Disorientation and strong currents are heightened at night.
Low risk: Tidal currents
Currents can be moderate to strong along the reef wall, particularly on incoming tides. Drift snorkeling is common practice here.
Low risk: Deep drop-off
The reef wall drops into deep water beyond the shallows. Snorkelers should stay aware of depth changes and their buoyancy.
Low risk: Pelagic predators (sharks & trevally)
Sharks (including grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks) and giant trevally are common and attracted to movement, especially at dusk/night. Mostly non-aggressive but can be intimidating.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Flare Point is located between Ribbon Reef No. 3 and No. 2, approximately 100 km north of Cooktown, Queensland. Accessed exclusively via liveaboard dive/snorkel tours departing from Cairns or Port Douglas. Tender boats from the liveaboard vessel drop snorkelers at the reef wall.
Parking & facilities
Park at the liveaboard operator's terminal in Cairns or Port Douglas (paid parking available). No on-site parking at the reef.
toiletsshowers
Access via multi-day liveaboard charters (3–7 nights) starting from approximately AU$1,200–$3,000 depending on duration and vessel.
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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