Tijou Reef sits at the southern gateway to the Far Northern Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, a remote ribbon reef off Port Douglas. Its inner side shelters spectacular coral gardens, while the outer eastern wall plunges into deep water, cloaked in vibrant soft corals, sea fans, and gorgonians. The northern tip, known as 'Shark City,' is a renowned drift where whitetip, grey, and silvertip reef sharks patrol the wall alongside masses of pelagic and reef fish. This is wild, pristine reef — a true expedition destination for experienced snorkelers and divers seeking untouched marine wilderness.
Tijou Reef
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Wave Height 0.6 mSwell Period 6.0 sWind Speed 9.5 knPrecipitation 2.0 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
Strong currents frequently sweep along the outer eastern wall, particularly at the northern tip (Shark City). Can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.
Moderate risk: Remote location
The reef is remote — over 100 km offshore. Emergency services are hours away. Requires self-sufficiency.
Low risk: Reef shark presence
Shark activity common at Shark City and along the outer wall. While typically non-aggressive, encounters with whitetip, grey, and silvertip reef sharks require caution.
Low risk: Open ocean swell
Exposed to open ocean swell and wind on the outer eastern side, creating challenging conditions for snorkelers.
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Getting in
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Entry
Tijou Reef is located off Port Douglas, Queensland, on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Accessible only by private charter or liveaboard expedition vessels departing from Port Douglas or Cairns. It sits at the southern end of the Far Northern Reefs, typically reached on multi-day trips.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Port Douglas marina precinct (paid and limited street parking).
toilets
Access via charter or liveaboard tours — prices vary by operator; typically $200–$500+ per person per day for multi-day expeditions.
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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