Whale Bommie is a giant, isolated coral head rising from 30 metres deep on the southern side of Milln Reef, about 56 km off Cairns. Named for the plume of water that sprays like a whale spout when waves break over its top at low tide, this bommie is draped in soft corals and gorgonian sea fans. The site is a favourite for divers and snorkelers alike, offering encounters with sleeping white-tipped reef sharks, green turtles, and bumphead parrotfish, while night dives reveal reef crabs and painted lobsters. Clear waters, dramatic coral architecture, and abundant marine life make it one of the Great Barrier Reef's standout outer-reef spots.
Whale Bommie (Milln Reef)
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.3 mSwell Period 4.7 sWind Speed 3.1 knPrecipitation 7.6 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Low risk: Deep water / open ocean exposure
Whale Bommie is a deep site starting at 25–30 m, with the top rising to within a few metres of the surface. Snorkelers must be comfortable in deep, open water with no shallow lagoon refuge.
Low risk: Tidal surge / wave break
At low tide, waves break over the bommie's top, creating surge and turbulent surface conditions that can make snorkeling challenging.
Low risk: Currents
Occasional moderate currents sweep across the bommie, requiring good fitness and awareness for snorkelers who may drift from the mooring.
Low risk: Remote offshore location
The site is 56 km offshore with no immediate shelter; weather conditions can change rapidly, affecting boat access and sea state.
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Getting in
Snorkel tour
Entry
Whale Bommie lies approximately 56 km (1.5 hours by boat) northeast of Cairns on Milln Reef, part of the Great Barrier Reef. Access is exclusively via commercial day-tour or liveaboard vessels departing from Cairns or Port Douglas. Several operators (e.g., Silverswift, Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel, Passions of Paradise, Pro Dive Cairns) run trips to Milln Reef.
Parking & facilities
No on-site parking — park at the Cairns Marlin Marina or Port Douglas Marina (paid parking available) where tour vessels depart. Park at your own risk; fees apply at public parking stations near the marinas.
Day-tour prices start from approximately AUD $275 per adult (snorkel/dive inclusive). Liveaboard multi-day packages start from AUD $1,095.
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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