Flat Rock is a rocky island outcrop roughly 2 km north of North Stradbroke Island, accessible only by boat from the Gold Coast or Brisbane. This renowned dive and snorkel site is surrounded by vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life — from turtles and wobbegongs to eagle rays and leopard sharks. The star attraction is "Shark Alley," where packs of majestic grey nurse sharks congregate during winter months (June–August). With depths reaching 35 m, the site offers something for both adventurous snorkelers at the shallower ledges and experienced divers exploring the deeper bommies.
Flat Rock
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Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 6.7 sWind Speed 6.5 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Strong currents
Tidal currents can be strong around the exposed rocky outcrop, particularly during outgoing tides.
Moderate risk: Deep drop-offs
Depths plunge to 35 m in parts — snorkelers should stay on the shallow reef ledges and avoid deep areas.
Low risk: Boat traffic
The site is accessed by boat and sits in a busy marine corridor; surface awareness is essential.
Low risk: Grey nurse sharks (winter aggregation)
Large packs of grey nurse sharks gather in Shark Alley from June to August. Though generally docile, their presence demands respectful distance.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Flat Rock lies about 2 km north of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and roughly 30–40 km east of Brisbane. Access is by charter boat or private vessel only — several dive operators run trips from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island.
Parking & facilities
Park at the departure marina (e.g., Cleveland or Scarborough) — check with your charter operator for specific parking arrangements.
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Charter dive/snorkel trips typically range from $150–$230 per person depending on the operator and inclusions.
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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