How to Snorkel the Torquay Coral Reef - Hervey Bay?
- Breannah Mitchell
- Jan 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 2
Explore Hervey Bay’s 6,500-year-old coral reefs, located only 50 metres from the mainland fringing foreshore. These inshore coral reefs are a rarity for an urban city centre, stretching 15 km from Torquay to Point Vernon and including Round Island, Big Woody Island, and Little Woody Island.
My Local Experience:
Hi, my name is Breannah. I am 27 years old, born and raised in Hervey Bay, and I have been snorkelling the Hervey Bay reefs since I was 14 years old! I love snorkelling, freediving, and scuba diving. Three years ago, together with my mum Sharon—who loves the ocean as much as I do—brought CoralWatch to Hervey Bay.
Over the years, I have seen these inshore reefs change over time due to coastal development, bleaching events, overfishing, weather events, pollution, and much more. The Gables coral reef at Point Vernon was the first reef I ever snorkelled, with my mum Sharon. Hervey Bay reefs are still some of my favourite places to snorkel and dive. They are extremely unique—the closest inshore reefs in Australia to an urban city centre—and are part of the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon.
Breannah Mitchell - Photo by Christie
Types of Corals you might see:
Today, we will be exploring the Torquay Reef, the closest inshore coral reef to the city of Hervey Bay. This coral reef is mostly dominated by the endangered Turbinaria coral, but you will also see many brain corals, Goniopora corals, and soft coral cover.
Marine Life
There is an abundance of marine life just below the surface, but it’s important to be quiet, still, and observant. Types of marine life you might encounter on the Hervey Bay reefs include loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, blue dolphins, dugongs, octopus, humpback whales, minke whales, zebra fish, feather stars, parrotfish, cod, bull rays, eagle rays, and many different species of fish, both big and small—and so much more! There are also endangered white seahorses known to inhabit this area.
Red Spotted Octopus - Callistoctopus
Photo by Lee - Torquay Coral Reef
Loggerhead Turtle
Where is the Torquay Reef Located?
Torquay Reef is located directly in front of the AquaVue Beachfront Bar and Eatery, where you can walk straight out to the reef at low tide. It’s a great way to work up an appetite after a relaxing snorkel. Torquay is also filled with excellent cuisine and coffee shops along the esplanade.
Location: 415A Esplanade Torquay QLD
When to Snorkel:
The coral reefs can be snorkelled year-round; however, the clearest conditions are usually from late March through September. During this time, winds are most commonly forecast from the south to south-east, which helps maintain good water visibility.
From September to March, Hervey Bay is better known for its northerly winds, which are ideal for wind surfing but can stir up the water and reduce visibility for snorkelling. That said, summer conditions can still be excellent for snorkelling if the winds are from the south to south-east and there has been no heavy rainfall.
How to Check the Forecast, Tides & Wind:
Tips for snorkelling:
Always bring a buddy—never snorkel alone.
Minimal wind or no wind provides the best snorkelling conditions.
South to south-east (S–SE) winds are ideal for snorkelling.
Avoid snorkelling if there has been rain in the previous 24 hours, as runoff can wash sediment into the ocean and reduce visibility.
Choose a sunny or lightly overcast day, and head out in the early morning or late afternoon.
Enter the water on an outgoing low tide. Avoid incoming tides, as they can stir up the water.
If you walk in knee-deep and can still see your feet, conditions may be good.
Low tide is great for snorkellers, as these reefs are shallow-water coral reefs.
Low to high tide is better for anyone wanting to free-dive.
When the tide is between 0.8 and 0.4 metres, the reef is fully exposed—this is not ideal for snorkelling, paddle boarding, or kayaking.
A tide range of 0.8 to 1.4 metres is ideal for snorkelling and paddle boarding.
Do not stand on or touch the coral. Corals are living animals and are very fragile.
If the water is murky, don’t attempt to snorkel. It’s better to clearly see what’s in front of you and feel safe than to try to find or see the reef in poor conditions.
Snorkelling Gear and Safety:
Snorkel mask and fins – essential for exploring underwater.
Reef-safe sunscreen – protects both your skin and the ocean. Sunscreen chemicals can damage coral reefs by causing coral bleaching, which can lead to coral death. Always check your sunscreen label to ensure it is reef safe.
Sun protection clothing – long sleeves and pants not only protect you from the sun but also from grazes on coral.
Reef gloves – provide extra protection for your hands when near coral.
Paddleboard – useful to float over the corals if you get tired while snorkelling.
Reef knife – helpful if you encounter any fishing line or debris on the reef.
Have no one to snorkel with?
Join the Hervey Bay Snorkelling Community page today! Connect with fellow snorkelers, share your experiences, make new friends, and get tips for exploring the reef up close.
Corals on Your Doorstep Documentary
Dive into the coral wonderland of Hervey Bay’s 6,500-year-old reefs stretching along the foreshore. The film follows the inspirational story of Jasper, a passionate young citizen whose deep connection to the coral reefs strengthens his bond with his late father.
CoralWatch Hervey Bay
CoralWatch is based at the University of Queensland and was established on Heron Island in 2002 in response to a coral bleaching event.
The Coral Health Chart is used to assess coral health by placing the chart against the coral and identifying the lightest and darkest shades. Corals monitored come in many shapes and sizes, including plate, branching, soft, and boulder corals. CoralWatch encourages everyone to participate in Citizen Science, allowing scientists around the world to access the collected data.
Get your free Coral Health Chart here: www.coralwatch.org
Photo by Hervey Bay CoralWatch - Torquay Coral Reef
What to look out for:
Stinging Hydroid is a colonial marine organism related to corals and jellyfish. It resembles a tiny feather or fern and possesses microscopic, stinging tentacles called nematocysts, which can cause painful rashes or allergic reactions when they come into contact with skin.
Common names include “White Stinging Sea Fern” or “Fire Hydroid.” While some species are known for powerful stings that can cause delayed reactions, hydroids also provide habitat for other marine creatures.
Coral Cuts:
Coral cuts can be very painful and are prone to infection. Immediately clean the wound with freshwater and apply antiseptic, then cover it with a sterile dressing. Oral antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent infection. Always see a doctor to ensure the wound is properly treated and infection is avoided.
Torquay & Scarness Reef is under threat!
Photo by Breannah Mitchell - Scarness and Torquay Coral Reef
The Torquay Towers:
The proposed Torquay Towers, branded as a Sheraton hotel, breaches town planning laws and poses a direct threat to endangered nesting turtles, migrating wading birds, and the 6,500-year-old Torquay coral reef. It also threatens the fragile ecosystems of the Great Sandy Marine Park, home to vulnerable dugongs, the endangered White’s Seahorse, and the resting grounds of migrating humpback whales. In addition, it risks altering the character of the Hervey Bay community and its laid-back lifestyle.
How artificial light at night gets into the water:
The building’s lights will also cause light pollution, which can harm the Torquay and Scarness reefs. Coral reefs require complete darkness to rest, recover, feed, and spawn. At almost 80 metres tall, the building’s lights will penetrate the ocean surface, affecting not only the coral but also the hundreds of marine species that call the Torquay Reef home.
You can help fight the height of the Torquay Towers and protect the Torquay and Scarness Reefs by donating here:Support the appeal against 18-storey Hervey Bay hotel
Drawing by Zarley Mitchell - Proposed 18 storey building
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Great content 👍 thank you
Will be visiting the Hervey Bay area with the kids in June. Tremendously useful info here! Thanks a lot!
Well done Breannah, a very informative and enlightening blog, I was not even aware that we had such reefs in this area. Thank you for the effort you have put into this and I hope many more people become aware of the reefs and their importance to the area, thanks for sharing.
Great write up, thanks for sharing!