Northern Bays

The north coast of Hook Island is home to some of the best snorkelling and diving in the Whitsundays. Four small bays sit side by side along this stretch: Maureen’s Cove, Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Pinnacle Bay. Each has its own character, from clownfish and swim-throughs to underwater sculptures and an old lighthouse. They are close enough together to snorkel two or three in a day, and on a self-skippered charter you can pick the bay that suits the conditions. Each bay is a Marine National Park (green) zone, so no fishing is allowed.

Most of these bays are mooring-only, with limited spots and strict wind limits. Plan to visit early in the day, in light winds, and have another bay or anchorage in mind if the moorings are full.

Maureen’s Cove

Maureen’s Cove is a sheltered cove with a steep coral rubble beach and fringing reef along both its eastern and western edges. Coral bommies rise from 12 to 15 m to just below the surface, with gullies, shallow caves and schools of reef fish.

• Moorings and anchoring: 2 public moorings, or anchor in deep water. Maureen’s Cove is approved for overnight stays in south and south-east winds.
• Ashore: the national park camping area behind the beach has picnic tables and a composting toilet. Campers need a permit. No campfires are allowed.
• Watch out for: deep water when anchoring. Never anchor in more than 15 m at high tide, and lay out all your chain if it is close to that depth.

Luncheon Bay

Luncheon Bay is one of the most popular snorkelling and dive sites in the Whitsundays. Coral covers every rocky outcrop, with bommies, caves and crevices down to about 20 m. Look for the resident clownfish living in the anemones, along with Maori wrasse, sweetlips, red emperor and turtles. Manta rays sometimes rest on the sand.

• Moorings: 6 public moorings. No anchoring. Use only in winds under 10 knots.
• Beginners: an easy beach entry makes it a good spot for new snorkellers and divers.
• Divers: explore the swim-throughs and the underwater canyon known as the Tunnel of Love.

Manta Ray Bay

Manta Ray Bay is named for the manta rays that visit from about May to September. Hard and soft corals, swim-throughs and narrow underwater alleys make it a favourite for snorkellers. The bay is also part of the Ngaro Underwater Marine Sculpture Trail, with manta ray sculptures at about 7 m.

• Moorings: 2 public moorings. No anchoring, as the bottom is coral and too deep. Use only in winds under 10 knots.
• Tender moorings: some public moorings are in shallow water and are for dinghies only. Do not approach them in the main boat, as you will run aground.
• Manta rays: keep your distance and let them swim past. Never touch or chase them.

Pinnacle Bay

Pinnacle Bay sits at the northern tip of Hook Island and is often overlooked, but it is well worth a visit. The water is usually very clear, with pristine coral and good snorkelling and diving. Sea eagles nest on the headlands. Pinnacle Bay is a Marine National Park (green) zone, so no fishing is allowed.

• Moorings: 2 public moorings. Anchoring is not allowed. Use only in winds under 10 knots.
• The lighthouse: a small old lighthouse on one point makes for an interesting climb, with good views from the top.
• The Woodpile: a volcanic dyke on the other point that looks like a huge stack of logs, and a great photo stop.

Snorkelling tips for the north coast

• 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 [Link to Equipment Hire].
• Best views: snorkelling is usually best between quarter and three-quarter tide, when the water is 1 to 2.5 m above the reef.
• Currents: strong currents run around the headlands. Check the conditions and plan your route before you get in.
• 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

• • Butterfly Bay, Hook Island: 20 moorings and room to anchor, approved overnight in south and south-east winds.
  • Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island: protected coral and a resident giant Maori wrasse.
  • Stonehaven, Hook Island: an approved overnight anchorage in both north-east and south-east winds.

Best time to visit the north Hook Island bays

You can snorkel here all year, with water of about 23°C in winter and 27°C in summer. These bays face north, so they are best in light south or south-east winds. Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Pinnacle Bay should only be used in winds under 10 knots. Manta rays are most often seen from May to September. Stinger season runs from about November to May, so wear a stinger suit when you swim. Arrive early in the day for calm water and the best chance of a free mooring.

How to get to the north Hook Island bays

• 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: It takes about 3 – 3.5 hours to reach North Hook Island Bays from Airlie Breach by Power or Sailing Catamaran.
• Route: Double Rock lies south-east of Pinnacle Point on the north-east side of Hook Island. It is covered at high tide and GPS plotters are not accurate here, so keep well clear.

Where to moor and anchor

Public moorings. All four bays have free public moorings. 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. Only Maureen’s Cove allows anchoring. Anchor in sand, never on coral, in water between 2 m at low tide and 15 m at high tide, with at least 40 m of chain. Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Pinnacle Bay are mooring-only.

Overnight. Maureen’s Cove is approved in south and south-east winds. Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Pinnacle Bay are approved in south and south-east winds under 10 knots only. Confirm your plans at the morning radio schedule and be moored or anchored by 4pm.

Mooring tip: the moorings are often close to the fringing reef. Approach at under 3 knots with a lookout on the bow, and take extra care as the wind and tide change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which north Hook Island bay is best for snorkelling? All four are excellent. Luncheon Bay is the easiest for beginners, with a beach entry and clownfish. Manta Ray Bay has the underwater sculptures, Maureen’s Cove has large bommies, and Pinnacle Bay usually has the clearest water.

Can you stay overnight in these bays? Yes, in south and south-east winds. Maureen’s Cove is approved for overnight stays with moorings or anchoring. Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Pinnacle Bay are mooring-only, and only in winds under 10 knots.

Can you anchor at Manta Ray Bay or Luncheon Bay? No. Luncheon Bay, Manta Ray Bay and Pinnacle Bay are mooring-only. Maureen’s Cove is the only one of the four where you can anchor.

When can you see manta rays at Manta Ray Bay? Manta rays are most often seen from about May to September.

Can you fish in these bays? No fishing is allowed as all bays are Marine National Park (green) zones. See for where you can fish.

Fishing in the Whitsundays