North West Island is the largest coral cay in the Capricornia Cays National Park, sitting 75 km northeast of Gladstone in the southern Great Barrier Reef. This pristine, remote cay is ringed by shallow reef flats that are easily explored at low tide by wading or snorkelling from the shore. The surrounding reef teems with colourful corals, tropical fish, and green and loggerhead turtles that nest on the island's beaches from November to March. The island is also a major seabird rookery, with shearwaters and noddies nesting in the shady pisonia forest. With no infrastructure beyond basic camping toilets, this is a true wilderness escape for snorkellers seeking a raw, untouched reef experience far from the tourist crowds.
North West Island Reef
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Wave Height 0.2 mSwell Period 5.5 sWind Speed 5.2 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Marine stingers (Nov-May)
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) may be present in the waters of the southern Great Barrier Reef during the warmer months, particularly November to May.
Moderate risk: Remote location - limited emergency services
The island is remote with no on-site drinking water, medical facilities, or shops. A medical emergency could be serious due to the distance from mainland help.
Low risk: Outgoing tide current
Strong tidal flows move across the reef flats, especially during spring tides. Snorkellers should be aware of changing tide levels to avoid being swept off the reef or stranded.
Low risk: Sharp coral and reef cuts
Exposed reef flats can cause sharp coral cuts and abrasions. Sturdy reef shoes or booties are strongly recommended when wading on the reef at low tide.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
1 photo from the community
Getting in
Boat
Entry
Located 75 km northeast of Gladstone, Queensland. Access is by private vessel or charter boat only. Boats depart from Gladstone or Rosslyn Bay. The island has a sandy beach landing. Weather and tides significantly influence arrival and departure.
Parking & facilities
No parking on the island. Parking is available at boat ramps in Gladstone and Rosslyn Bay on the mainland. Secure parking for long stays is recommended at the departure point.
toilets
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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