Old Man's Reef lies just offshore from The Pass at Byron Bay, a rocky reef platform that offers excellent snorkelling when conditions are calm. Located west of Little Reef and accessible by kayak or a solid swim from Clarkes Beach, the reef hosts a vibrant underwater world of subtropical fish, rays, and occasional turtles. The clear coastal waters and rocky bommies make this a rewarding spot for intermediate snorkelers seeking a quieter alternative to the busier Julian Rocks sanctuary.
Old Man's Reef
IntermediateGO
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.8 mSwell Period 7.0 sWind Speed 2.8 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Strong currents
Tidal currents rip around the headland at The Pass, particularly on an outgoing tide. Only snorkel on calm, low-swell days.
Moderate risk: Shifting swell
The reef is exposed to easterly swells. Sudden increases in wave height can make return to shore difficult.
Low risk: Boat traffic
The reef is outside the patrolled swimming zone and boats transit through this area regularly. Keep a lookout and use a dive float.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Kayak
Entry
Access from The Pass or Clarkes Beach on Byron Bay's eastern side. Park at Clarkes Beach car park ($4/hour, capped at $20) or the Captain Cook Lookout car park and walk down the steps to the beach. The reef lies west of The Pass headland, roughly 200-400 m offshore. A kayak is the recommended access method; strong swimmers can reach it in calm conditions.
Parking & facilities
Clarkes Beach car park (pay per hour, 90 spaces) or Captain Cook Lookout car park. Both fill early in peak season.
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Parking $4 per hour at Clarkes Beach. No entry fee for the beach 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