Gray's Bay is a sheltered, crescent-shaped beach in Bowen, Queensland, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Its calm, turquoise waters and sandy seabed offer easy shore-entry snorkeling over fringing coral bommies that host small reef fish. The bay is notably less crowded than nearby Horseshoe Bay, making it a peaceful spot for a relaxed swim and snorkel. With the Cape Upstart National Park backdrop, the setting is both scenic and tranquil. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and boat launching are also popular here.
Gray's Bay
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.9 sWind Speed 8.9 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Tidal current
The bay is subject to tidal movement that can create gentle currents, especially near the channel. Always check tide tables before entering the water.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Gray's Bay is located in Bowen, Queensland, about 45 minutes north of Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast. Access via Gray's Bay Road off the Bruce Highway.
Parking & facilities
Car parking available near the beach; a boat ramp is also present at the southern end of the bay for small craft launching.
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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