Monkey Beach on Great Keppel Island is a premier snorkeling destination in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, renowned for its exceptionally high coral cover and 38 recorded coral species. Situated within a protected bay on the island's eastern side, the reef is accessible directly from the shore — no boat required. The 40-minute coastal walk from Fisherman's Beach rewards snorkelers with pristine, shallow reefs teeming with stingrays, reef fish, and vibrant hard corals. Sheltered from prevailing southeasterly winds, the calm, clear waters make this an ideal spot for families and intermediate snorkelers alike.
Monkey Beach
IntermediateGO
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 3.3 sWind Speed 1.0 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Marine stingers (jellyfish) may be present in Queensland waters, particularly during the warmer months.
Low risk: Tidal current exposure
As with all tidal reef systems, water levels and currents shift significantly. Best snorkeled at mid-to-low tide when the reef is easier to access.
Low risk: Sharp coral
The reef is a living ecosystem — standing on or touching coral can cause injury to both the snorkeler and the coral.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Take a 30-minute ferry from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island. From Fisherman's Beach on the island, follow the walking track for approximately 40–45 minutes (around 2 km) to reach Monkey Beach on the eastern side of the island.
Parking & facilities
Free long-term parking available at the car parks near the Yeppoon marina. Secure paid parking also available.
toilets
Ferry transfer from Yeppoon costs approx. $55–$70 per adult return. No additional fee for beach access itself.
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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