Yankee Jack Reef is an offshore artificial reef located off the Gold Coast, near Mermaid Waters in Southeast Queensland. Originally built from decommissioned materials to attract marine life, this submerged reef structure provides a unique snorkeling and dive site over sandy seabed terrain. The reef hosts subtropical fish species and offers clear oceanic conditions typical of the Gold Coast's nearshore waters, making it a rewarding spot for those seeking an artificial reef ecosystem away from the crowded beaches.
Yankee Jack Reef
AdvancedMAYBE
MAYBE
Fair. Experienced snorkellers only.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.0 mSwell Period 0.0 sWind Speed 3.9 knPrecipitation 0.0 mmTidal Phase ebb
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 currents
Tidal flows through the seaway can create unpredictable currents around the reef, especially during changing tides.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Mermaid Reef is accessible only by boat and lies near the Gold Coast Seaway entrance, where vessel traffic can be heavy.
Low risk: Depth range
Sections of the reef reach 18 m deep, requiring confident breath-hold or appropriate scuba qualifications for safe exploration.
Low risk: Limited visibility
Post-storm or windy conditions can reduce visibility in the nearshore Gold Coast waters.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
Be the first to share a photo
No photos yet — yours could be the first.
Photos are reviewed by moderators before they appear.
Getting in
Boat
Entry
Yankee Jack Reef is situated offshore from Mermaid Waters / Main Beach area on the Gold Coast. Access is by private boat or via Gold Coast dive charter operators. The reef lies several kilometres offshore, so a vessel is essential.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Main Beach boat ramp parking areas and nearby public car parks along The Esplanade, Main Beach.
parkingboat_ramp
No direct fee for the reef itself. Charter and boat launch fees apply depending on operator.
Spot Map
Community
Trust
Is this spot real, accurate, still loved?
Spots near New South Wales
No nearby spots yet.
Needs verification
Quick verify
One tap helps the community keep this spot honest.
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