Taylor Reef is a visually dramatic Outer Great Barrier Reef site, renowned for its towering coral bommies (pinnacles) that rise from a sandy seafloor like underwater skyscrapers. Located roughly 1.5–2 hours by boat from Mission Beach, this pristine reef offers snorkellers the chance to swim through vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life. The site's dramatic vertical relief and clear tropical waters create an immersive experience, with healthy coral formations, sea turtles, reef sharks, and abundant tropical fish. As a Green Zone Marine Park site, it enjoys full protection, ensuring exceptional coral health and biodiversity.
Taylor Reef
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 6.0 sWind Speed 7.6 knPrecipitation 5.8 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Tidal Currents
Strong currents can develop around the coral pinnacles, particularly during tidal changes. Snorkellers should stay close to the group and be competent swimmers.
Low risk: Ocean Swells
The reef is in open ocean waters with no land shelter. Swells and wind chop can reduce visibility and make snorkelling more challenging on exposed days, particularly during the trade wind season.
Low risk: Sharp Coral
Sharp coral formations are abundant. Snorkellers must maintain buoyancy control to avoid contact with living coral, which can cause injury and damage the reef.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Taylor Reef is accessed via boat from Mission Beach, about 1.5–2 hours offshore. Mission Beach is a 1.5-hour drive south of Cairns via the Bruce Highway.
Parking & facilities
Free parking available at the Mission Beach boat ramp and tour operator facilities near the beachfront parking areas along the Esplanade in Mission Beach village centre and at Clump Point boat ramp.
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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