Located on the outer Ribbon Reefs, 125 km north-east of Port Douglas, the Clam Gardens is a world-class snorkelling site where enormous, century-old giant clams (Tridacna gigas) rest embedded in a vibrant coral garden of healthy hard corals. Their brilliantly coloured mantles — in electric blues, greens, and purples — create a mesmerising underwater tapestry. The site sits in a sheltered passage between two ribbon reefs, offering calm, clear waters that teem with trumpetfish, rock cods, and schools of reef fish. This is one of the best places on the Great Barrier Reef to see the iconic giant clam up close.
Giant Clam Garden (Clam Gardens)
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.3 mSwell Period 6.3 sWind Speed 8.7 knPrecipitation 3.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Tidal currents
Strong tidal currents can flow through the channel between the ribbon reefs, especially during incoming and outgoing tide changes.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers (jellyfish)
Stinger season in tropical Queensland waters brings box jellyfish and Irukandji, requiring stinger suits.
Low risk: Sharp coral
Sharp coral heads and bommies are present throughout the coral garden — accidental contact can cause cuts.
Low risk: Remote location
The site is remote (outer reef, 125 km offshore); medical evacuation is not immediate.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Located on the Ribbon Reefs (between Ribbon Reef No. 4 and No. 5), approximately 125 km north-north-east of Port Douglas, Queensland. Access is exclusively by boat via day tours or liveaboard operators departing from Cairns or Port Douglas.
Parking & facilities
Park at the marina in Cairns or Port Douglas where tour operators depart.
toilets
Accessible via guided snorkel tours or liveaboard charters; fees vary by operator — typically included in the tour price.
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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