Wop-Pa Reef wraps around Great Keppel Island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, offering some of the most accessible snorkelling in the region — vibrant coral gardens lie just metres from the sandy shore. Monkey Beach, Wreck Beach, and Red Beach each provide entry points to healthy hard coral formations, including staghorn and plate corals stacked like poker chips. Green turtles glide through the shallows, while rays and reef fish patrol the bommies. The reef is part of the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, protected and pristine, with calm, clear water at high tide making it ideal for casual snorkellers and families alike.
Wop-Pa Reef
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Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 2.5 sWind Speed 1.2 knPrecipitation 3.8 mmTidal Phase flood
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Moderate risk: Tidal currents
Strong tidal currents can develop around reef edges and points, especially at Egg Rock and outer sites. Snorkel at slack high tide for safest conditions.
Moderate risk: Marine stingers
Marine stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in waters during the hotter months of October through May.
Low risk: Reduced visibility after wind
Visibility can drop significantly for several days after strong winds. Best conditions are in winter (May-September) when trade winds are lighter.
Low risk: Shallow reef at low tide
Low tide exposes shallow reef flats, making it easy to accidentally stand on or damage coral, and reducing swim-through access.
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Catch the ferry from Yeppoon (Rosslyn Bay Marina) to Great Keppel Island — a 30-minute ride. Once on the island, Wop-Pa Reef is accessible via shore entry from several beaches or by booking a tour with Keppel Dive. Free parking available at Rosslyn Bay Marina (unpatrolled, at own risk).
Parking & facilities
Free parking at Rosslyn Bay Marina (no security patrol, park at own risk).
parkingtoilets
Ferry approx. $45-55 return per adult. Snorkel tours $60-90. Camping $7.50/person/night.
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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