Dive-site story
Hastings Reef sits on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns, shaped as a crescent patch reef with extensive coral gardens, sandy channels, and steep bommies. The reef wall drops gently to a sandy seabed where giant clams and sleeping whitetip reef sharks settle. Mooring sites like Stepping Stones and Split Bombie feature coral swim-throughs and shallow plate coral flats that support dense populations of reef inhabitants.
Extensive hard coral gardens dominated by staghorn and tabletop formations
Regular encounters with resident green sea turtles resting along coral heads
Network of coral bommies and shallow overhangs shelter schooling glassfish and nudibranchs
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Spring and early summer bring lighter trade winds, optimal visibility, and calm surface conditions.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitetip reef sharkTriaenodon obesus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Green sea turtleChelonia mydas | Common | ||||||||||||
| Humphead wrasseCheilinus undulatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Giant clamTridacna gigas | Common | ||||||||||||
| Clown anemonefishAmphiprion percula | Common |
Marine forecast
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