Bait Reef
A well-known dive site on the Outer Barrier Reef. Water channels run between the flat-topped coral pillars known as "stepping stones", where you can see sea turtles, rays and reef sharks. It's good for both scuba diving and snorkelling.
Bait Reef is an Outer Barrier Reef site near Hardy Reef, about 1.5 to 2 hours by boat from shore. The most famous feature is the "stepping stones", a series of coral pillars whose tops nearly reach the surface. Channels and caves form between the pillars: from the surface you can see the tops of the corals, and divers can swim through them. Most visitors arrive by dive boat or sailing trip, mainly from Airlie Beach, and the price is higher than for inner-island snorkelling. Rough open-ocean waters can cause seasickness, so take medication in advance.
Opening hours
Depends on dive boat schedule
Nearby sights
- Reefworld Pontoon, Hardy Reef
- Heart Reef
- Hook Island (Manta Ray Bay & Butterfly Bay)
- Hayman Island & Blue Pearl Bay
- Langford Island
- Whitsunday Cairn
- Hill Inlet Lookout
- Cid Harbour