Little Fairey Inlet is a renowned outer reef snorkeling site on Fairey Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in the Whitsundays. This sheltered inlet features a stunning bommie (coral bombora) system with vibrant hard and soft coral gardens that attract a dazzling array of marine life. The clear, warm waters and relatively protected setting make it a favourite stop for reef tours from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island. Snorkelers drift over sculptured coral formations, swim-throughs, and drop-offs where the reef wall plunges into the deep blue, offering an immersive Great Barrier Reef experience.
Little Fairey Inlet (Fairey Reef)
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Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.5 sWind Speed 5.6 knPrecipitation 0.3 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Stingers (jellyfish)
Stinging jellyfish, including box jellyfish, may be present in the Whitsundays region during the warmer months.
Low risk: Tidal currents
Fairey Reef is exposed to the Coral Sea. Moderate to strong currents can develop, especially during tidal changes, which may push snorkelers along the reef edge.
Low risk: Sharp coral
Sharp coral bommies and reef edges are shallow in places; contact can cause cuts or coral damage.
Low risk: Marine craft traffic
Boat traffic from tour operators and private vessels in the outer reef channel.
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Getting in
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Entry
Little Fairey Inlet is located on Fairey Reef, an outer reef site in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Access is exclusively by boat or tour from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, typically as part of a full-day reef snorkeling charter. The site is a popular stop on Whitsundays outer reef tours.
Parking & facilities
No on-site parking. Park at Coral Sea Marina (Airlie Beach) or Hamilton Island Marina if self-crewing a private vessel. Tour operators provide transfers from accommodation.
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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