Pelican Island's fringing reefs wrap around this small, secluded island in the Keppel Bay group of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. These shallow coral flats and reef slopes offer a classic fringing-reef snorkeling experience, where you can step off the beach directly onto live coral gardens teeming with reef fish. Located near the mouth of the Fitzroy River, the reefs here are part of a dynamic marine environment that has been shaped by seasonal river flows and cyclonic events, creating a resilient and fascinating ecosystem. The island is a designated camping zone with no facilities, offering a true wilderness escape for snorkelers who make the private boat journey.
Pelican Island fringing reefs
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 3.3 sWind Speed 11 knPrecipitation 1.6 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Marine stingers (box jellyfish / Irukandji)
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in Keppel Bay waters during the warmer months (October to May).
Low risk: Shallow reef flats at low tide
The reef flats are shallow at low tide, requiring careful navigation to avoid damaging coral or scraping yourself on sharp reef structure.
Low risk: Reduced visibility after rainfall
The Fitzroy River outflow can reduce visibility and introduce freshwater runoff after heavy rainfall, especially during the wet season (November to March).
Low risk: Tidal currents in channels
Strong tidal currents can sweep through the channels between islands in the Keppel Bay group, making return to shore challenging.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Pelican Island is part of the Keppel Bay Islands National Park off the coast of Emu Park, Queensland. Access is via private boat only. Launch from Emu Park or Rosslyn Bay and navigate approximately 20 km offshore. No public ferry service to this island.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Emu Park boat ramp and Rosslyn Bay Marina. No parking on the island 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