The Woodpile is a premier snorkel and dive site at the northern tip of Hook Island in the Whitsundays, named for the jumbled pile of massive coral bommies that rise from the seabed like a stack of timber. Nutrient-rich currents sweep over this dramatic reef wall, nourishing lush hard and soft coral growth and attracting a parade of pelagic marine life. The terrain is a striking mix of steep drop-offs, coral gardens, and bommie fields, offering snorkelers a front-row seat to the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Woodpile
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.1 mSwell Period 2.5 sWind Speed 3.7 knPrecipitation 3.1 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
Strong tidal currents rush over the reef wall and through the bommie field, which can sweep snorkelers away from the site. Best visited during slack tide or calm conditions.
Moderate risk: Wind and swell
The site is exposed to wind and swell. The southeast trade winds (April–November) can create choppy conditions making snorkeling unsafe.
Low risk: Shallow coral bommies
Large coral bommies sit close to the surface and are easy to collide with in choppy water or strong currents.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
The Woodpile is located at the northern end of Hook Island in the Whitsundays. Access is by boat only — typically via chartered snorkel tours, private vessels, or sailing charters departing from Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, or Hamilton Island marinas.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at marinas in Airlie Beach, Shute Harbour, and Hamilton Island. Note that Hamilton Island requires a ferry or flight from the mainland. Car parking at Abel Point Marina and Shute Harbour is available for a fee or as part of charter packages.
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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