Mary's Rock is a pinnacle dive and snorkel site rising from 20 metres off the northern end of Cook Island, near Fingal Head on the NSW North Coast. Part of the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, this offshore rock formation is surrounded by gutters, walls, and small caves that attract a rich variety of marine life. Accessible only by boat, it offers clear subtropical waters and dramatic underwater topography — a quieter, less crowded alternative to nearby Julian Rocks.
Mary's Rock
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.0 mSwell Period 6.9 sWind Speed 6.1 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Open ocean swells
Exposed offshore location can receive ocean swells, making conditions variable and occasionally rough.
Moderate risk: Strong currents
Tidal flows around the pinnacle and gutters can produce strong currents that challenge less experienced snorkelers.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Accessible only by boat; boats anchor near the pinnacle so surface awareness is essential.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Mary's Rock lies approximately 600 m north-east of Fingal Head, off the coast from Fingal RSL. It is part of the Cook Island group near the Tweed Coast, about 20 km south of the Gold Coast. Boat access only — launch from the Tweed River at Fingal or nearby boat ramps in the Tweed Heads area.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Fingal Head boat ramp area or near Fingal RSL. Arrive early on weekends as spaces fill quickly.
parkingboat_ramp
No direct fee for snorkeling, but boat charter fees apply if not using a private vessel.
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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