Cataran Bay

Cateran Bay is a small, beautiful bay on the north side of Border Island, with a beach framed by tall cliffs and crystal clear water. The bay is a Marine National Park (green) zone, and its reef has been protected for a long time, so the coral is in very good condition. It is one of the best snorkelling and diving spots in the Whitsundays, with plenty of fish life and coral to explore. A short, rough track leads up to the ridge for great views over the surrounding islands.

Snorkelling at Cateran Bay

The reef in Cateran Bay is healthy and full of life. Look for curious batfish, clownfish living in the anemones, Maori wrasse and giant clams, along with a wide mix of hard and soft corals.

• Gear: every guest on a Whitsunday Escape charter, including children, gets a mask, fins and snorkel free of charge. Prescription masks and wetsuits can be hired.
• Best views: snorkelling is usually best between quarter and three-quarter tide, when the water is 1 to 2.5 m above the reef.
• Diving: scuba gear can be hired from Aqua Dive, below the Whitsunday Escape office, when you show your qualifications. Fly the blue and white Diver Below flag while you dive.
• Stay safe: don’t swim or snorkel between dusk and dawn, in murky water, or where fish are being caught or cleaned. Always swim with a buddy, and wear a stinger suit from about November to May.

Snorkelling nearby

• • Dumbell Island: a day stop close to Border Island, with one public mooring. Use only in light daytime conditions.
  • Chalkie’s Beach, Haslewood Island: a long stretch of reef, best at low tide.

Walk to the lookout

A short bush track climbs from the beach to the top of the ridge, with great views and photo spots over the surrounding islands. The Border Island lookouts track is about 600 m and is rough, steep in places, with some steps. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Getting ashore

The beach is accessible from mid tide, and you need at least 1.2 m of tide over the reef to get ashore and back. Check the tide times before you go. Approach slowly, then stop the outboard, raise it and paddle the last part. Never drag the dinghy or walk across live coral, and anchor the dinghy on sand, never on coral.

Best time to visit Cateran Bay

You can snorkel here all year, with water of about 23°C in winter and 27°C in summer. April to October is the best season, with the south-east winds that suit this bay. Cateran Bay can be uncomfortable in winds over 20 knots, and a little rolly as the wind swings east. Stinger season runs from about November to May, so wear a stinger suit when you swim. Arrive around midday for the best light to see the coral heads.

How to get to Cateran Bay

• Sail yourself: Whitsunday Escape is based at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, and you get a full briefing on the boat, navigation, tides and anchorages before you leave.
• Travel time from Airlie Beach: About 2 hours 45 minutes by power boat, or just over 3 hours by sailing catamaran under motor.

Where to moor and anchor at Cateran Bay

Public moorings. 7 free public moorings sit in the bay. They are first come, first served, with one boat per mooring. You can use a mooring for 2 hours between 7am and 4pm. To stay overnight, pick up the mooring after 2pm and leave by 9am the next morning.

Anchoring. Keep a good lookout from the bow, as there are isolated submerged coral heads in the mooring pick-up area. Anchor in sand, never on coral, outside the reef protection markers. Anchor in water between 2 m at low tide and 15 m at high tide, with at least 40 m of chain.

Overnight. Approved in south and south-east winds. Confirm your plans at the morning radio schedule and be moored or anchored by 4pm.

Anchoring tip: approach at under 3 knots with the sun behind you and polarised sunglasses on, so you can see the coral heads clearly. No fishing or spearfishing is allowed in the bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you stay overnight at Cateran Bay? Yes, in south and south-east winds. Use one of the 7 free moorings (pick up after 2pm and leave by 9am) or anchor outside the reef protection markers. The bay can be uncomfortable in winds over 20 knots.

What can you see snorkelling at Cateran Bay? Healthy coral, batfish, clownfish, Maori wrasse and giant clams.

Is there a walk on Border Island? Yes. A short, rough track climbs from the beach to the ridge for views over the surrounding islands.

Can you fish at Cateran Bay? No. Border Island is a Marine National Park (green) zone, so fishing and spearfishing are not allowed. See Fishing in the Whitsundays or where you can fish.

Is it Cateran Bay or Cataran Bay? Both spellings are used. The bay on Border Island is most often charted as Cateran Bay.