Hervey Bay Dive Centre operates multiple snorkel and dive sites within the Great Sandy Marine Park, accessed by boat from Urangan Harbour. Their premier location is the Roy Rufus Artificial Reef, a sprawling 1960s-era reef system featuring small wrecks like the K'Gari Wreck, Goorie Wreck, and the 3 Ships Wrecks, all teeming with marine life. From July to October, the centre runs dedicated 'Swim with Humpback Whales' tours—a bucket-list snorkel experience in the calm, protected waters of Hervey Bay. These sites offer a mix of shallow reef exploration and wreck-adjacent snorkeling with excellent biodiversity.
Hervey Bay Dive Centre sites
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Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 2.6 sWind Speed 3.4 knPrecipitation 0.1 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Tidal currents
Roy Rufus Artificial Reef is affected by tidal currents and can only be safely dived/snorkeled on high tide. Moderate to strong flow around wreck structures.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Box jellyfish and other stingers are present in warmer months, particularly November to May.
Low risk: Limited visibility
Hervey Bay averages only 5 metres of visibility, with conditions varying. Can drop to 2.5m or less after wind and rain.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Sites are accessed by boat and located near navigation channels. Snorkelers must be aware of vessel traffic at all times.
Low risk: Remote location
Sites are several kilometres offshore. Emergency evacuation and medical assistance are not immediate.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Hervey Bay Dive Centre operates from The Boat Club Marina, Urangan Harbour, Hervey Bay. From the Bruce Highway, take the Urangan exit and follow signs to the marina. All snorkel sites (Roy Rufus Artificial Reef, local wrecks, whale swim zones) are reached via a short boat ride from the marina.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at The Boat Club Marina precinct, Urangan, Hervey Bay.
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Snorkel and dive tours vary by experience. Whale swim tours start from $230 (2026 pricing). Visit diveherveybay.com.au for current rates.
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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