Middle Island, part of the Keppel Bay Islands National Park in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, offers exceptional snorkelling at two distinct sites. Olive Point on the northern side features pristine fringing reefs teeming with hard and soft corals, while the southern Underwater Observatory — a historic coral-viewing structure now reclaimed by the ocean — has become an artificial reef bustling with fish, feather stars, and marine life. Crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and abundant marine biodiversity make this a stand-out destination for snorkellers exploring the Capricorn Coast.
Middle Island reefs
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 5.3 sWind Speed 1.4 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in these waters, particularly during the warmer months.
Low risk: Tidal currents
Tidal currents around the island can be moderate, especially in the channel between Middle Island and Great Keppel Island. Snorkellers should check tide charts before entering.
Low risk: Sharp coral and rocks
Sharp coral and rocky outcrops near the shore at both Olive Point and the Underwater Observatory. Snorkellers should avoid standing on or touching coral.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Middle Island is part of the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, accessible by 30-minute power boat transfer from Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast. Commercial charters including Freedom Fast Cats, Funtastic Cruises, and Keppel Explorer operate daily tours from Yeppoon. Private boat and water taxi access also available.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at the Yeppoon boat ramp and marina precinct. Designated accessible parking bays near the ferry terminal at Rosslyn Bay Harbour (approx. 5 min drive from Yeppoon CBD). Arrive early during peak season as spaces fill quickly.
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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