Mackay Wall is a dramatic vertical reef drop-off on the outer Great Barrier Reef, just off the coast of Cape Tribulation where the Daintree Rainforest meets the sea. This thriving underwater wall plunges to over 30 metres, adorned with vibrant red and orange gorgonian sea fans, colourful corals, and schools of tropical fish. It's a pristine, remote site known for clear visibility and encounters with large groupers, sea turtles, and eagle rays — offering an unforgettable snorkel experience along the northern frontier of the reef.
Mackay Wall
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.3 mSwell Period 6.8 sWind Speed 8.0 knPrecipitation 1.5 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Steady currents
Steady currents can be experienced along the wall, especially during tidal changes.
Low risk: Deep drop-off
The wall drops beyond 30 metres — deep water directly adjacent to snorkelers.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Mackay Wall is located off Cape Tribulation, about 25 minutes by boat from Cape Tribulation beach. Access is via snorkel or dive tours operating from Cape Tribulation eco-resorts or from Port Douglas. No public ferry service — book a tour operator.
Parking & facilities
No dedicated parking at the wall. Park at Cape Tribulation beach area or resort parking if joining a tour from there.
Accessible only via paid tour operators (typically $200–$315 per adult).
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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