[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":133},["ShallowReactive",2],{"leaderboard-total":3,"spot-mackeral-boulder":9,"spot-seo-mackeral-boulder":98},{"entries":4,"total":5,"period":6,"type":7,"generated_at":8},[],0,"all_time","reports","2026-10-03T06:32:05.526386Z",{"id":10,"name":11,"slug":12,"latitude":13,"longitude":14,"description":15,"difficulty":16,"image_url":17,"status":18,"tide_constituents":17,"hazard_entries":19,"access_info_structured":36,"area_boundary":17,"routes":17,"created_at":44,"updated_at":45,"today_conditions":46,"today_verdict_view":67,"images":93,"submitted_by":94,"region_name":96,"verification_status":97,"verified_at":17,"disputed":76,"verifier_count":5,"last_verified_display_name":17},"48c38f11-6e77-4fe4-b733-ebaaa2ae6532","Mackeral Boulder","mackeral-boulder",-28.975,153.175,"Mackeral Boulder (also known as Mackerel Boulder) is an offshore reef and submerged boulder formation located near Julian Rocks in the Cape Byron Marine Park, off Byron Bay on the North Coast of NSW. This site is a renowned aggregation point for pelagic fish, especially Spanish mackerel, and is part of a seasonal open fishing zone that also attracts snorkelers and spearfishers. The boulder sits in the clear subtropical waters where the East Australian Current brings warm, blue water close to shore, offering excellent visibility. Due to its proximity to the Byron Bay Sanctuary Zone, the surrounding reefs host vibrant marine life, though the area is best known as a seasonal hotspot.","intermediate",null,"published",[20,24,28,33],{"name":21,"description":22,"severity":23,"season_start":17,"season_end":17},"Strong tidal currents","The area near Julian Rocks experiences strong tidal flows that can move snorkelers away from the reef.","warning",{"name":25,"description":26,"severity":27,"season_start":17,"season_end":17},"Boat traffic","The Boulder is in a fishing zone and can have vessel traffic from recreational fishers and charter boats.","caution",{"name":29,"description":30,"severity":27,"season_start":31,"season_end":32},"Seasonal shark presence","Grey nurse sharks are known to frequent the area; the site is closed to fishing part of the year due to their presence.",5,12,{"name":34,"description":35,"severity":27,"season_start":17,"season_end":17},"Ocean swell exposure","Offshore reef exposed to open ocean swells, requiring good conditions for safe snorkeling.",{"directions":37,"parking":38,"facilities":39,"fees":42,"access_method":43},"Mackeral Boulder is located approximately 2-3 km offshore from Byron Bay, near Julian Rocks. Access is by private boat or guided charter from Byron Bay or Brunswick Heads boat ramps. The site lies within the Cape Byron Marine Park.","Parking available at the Byron Bay boat ramp (Kennedy Drive) or Brunswick Heads boat ramp.",[40,41],"parking","boat_ramp","No direct entry fee, but Cape Byron Marine Park rules apply. Seasonal fishing\u002Fspearfishing closures (May–December) affect access.","boat","2026-07-27T02:56:18.394019Z","2026-07-27T02:56:18.394022Z",{"verdict":47,"evaluated_at":48,"models":49},"marginal","2026-10-03T02:21:08.487780Z",[50,57,61],{"model_name":51,"is_favourable":52,"value":53,"threshold":54,"unit":55,"operator":56},"Wind Speed",true,1.44,10,"kn","lte",{"model_name":58,"is_favourable":52,"value":5,"threshold":59,"unit":60,"operator":56},"Wave Height",0.5,"m",{"model_name":62,"is_favourable":52,"value":63,"threshold":64,"unit":65,"operator":66},"Visibility",2.76,2,"","gte",{"verdict":47,"rating":68,"evaluated_at":48,"generated_at":48,"source":69,"confidence":70,"visibility":73,"parameters":74,"models_passed":64,"models_total":31},"Fair","precomputed",{"level":71,"value":72},"Medium",75,{"score":63,"rating":17,"confidence":17},[75,78,82,86,90],{"name":58,"value":5,"label":17,"unit":60,"favourable":76,"score":77,"optimal_max":59,"marginal_max":77},false,1,{"name":79,"value":5,"label":17,"unit":80,"favourable":76,"score":77,"optimal_max":81,"marginal_max":32},"Swell Period","s",8,{"name":51,"value":83,"label":17,"unit":55,"favourable":52,"score":84,"optimal_max":54,"marginal_max":85},1.4384416,3,15,{"name":87,"value":5,"label":17,"unit":88,"favourable":52,"score":84,"optimal_max":31,"marginal_max":89},"Precipitation","mm",20,{"name":91,"value":17,"label":92,"unit":65,"favourable":76,"score":77,"optimal_max":17,"marginal_max":17},"Tidal Phase","unknown",[],{"display_name":95},"Daniel","New South Wales","unverified",{"title":99,"description":100,"canonical_url":101,"og_image":102,"structured_data":103,"breadcrumbs":126},"Snorkeling Conditions at Mackeral Boulder - How's the Spot","Check snorkeling conditions at Mackeral Boulder, New South Wales. Fair conditions, waves 0.00m","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fspots\u002Fmackeral-boulder","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fog-default.png",[104,113],{"@context":105,"@type":106,"name":11,"description":107,"url":101,"geo":108,"address":110},"https:\u002F\u002Fschema.org","Place","Mackeral Boulder (also known as Mackerel Boulder) is an offshore reef and submerged boulder formation located near Julian Rocks in the Cape Byron Marine Park, off Byron Bay on the North Coast of NS...",{"@type":109,"latitude":13,"longitude":14},"GeoCoordinates",{"@type":111,"addressRegion":96,"addressCountry":112},"PostalAddress","Australia",{"@context":105,"@type":114,"name":115,"description":100,"url":101,"breadcrumb":116},"WebPage","Snorkeling Conditions at Mackeral Boulder",{"@context":105,"@type":117,"itemListElement":118},"BreadcrumbList",[119,123,125],{"@type":120,"position":77,"name":121,"item":122},"ListItem","Home","https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com",{"@type":120,"position":64,"name":96,"item":124},"https:\u002F\u002Fhowsthespot.com\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"@type":120,"position":84,"name":11,"item":101},[127,129,131],{"label":121,"href":128},"\u002F",{"label":96,"href":130},"\u002Fexplore?region=new-south-wales",{"label":11,"href":132},"\u002Fspots\u002Fmackeral-boulder",1791009170787]