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Divers interact with playful seals in a vivid underwater scene, showcasing marine life.
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Clipper

3.4 — based on 13 community signals
4.2 12 species 27 contributors

Clipper is a year-round dive site within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Healthy coral and consistent marine life make it a reliable choice.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Great Barrier Reef World Herit… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Visibility
25 m
MPAPhotoFriendlyFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Visibility
25 m
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Clipper location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
22.2 kn
Wave
1.68 m
Water
23.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (66%)
Now: ESE (123°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.95m

Next: High at 05:00 (+0.61m)

+1.7 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.61m ▼ 10:00 · +0.24m ▲ 18:00 · +1.39m ▼ 00:00 · +0.26m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.4 · very high Air PM2.517 · moderate 06:08 18:11
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 25 1.76 8 3mm
09-20 20.7 1.46 6 0mm
09-21 16.1 1.02 7 0mm
09-22 18.7 1.04 6 3mm
09-23 17.3 1.12 9 8mm
09-24 21.3 1.2 9 12mm
09-25 21.1 1.18 8 2mm

About this spot

Clipper sits within the protected waters of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, offering divers access to one of the world's most biodiverse reef systems. The site maintains healthy coral conditions with no current bleaching stress, making it a solid choice for reef exploration. Year-round diving means you can plan a trip almost any time that suits your schedule. The site has documented marine life observations recorded by the diving community, giving you a sense of what to expect underwater. Local divers have contributed video records of the area, so you can preview conditions and species before you go. This combination of protected status and community data helps you plan your dive with confidence. As part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Clipper operates under conservation guidelines designed to protect the reef ecosystem. Access and permit requirements apply, so check local regulations before you book. The presence of species observation data and community video records reflects active diver interest in the site.

📖 Guide: Diving in Australia: 61 Sites from Coral Reefs to Cold-Water Wrecks

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 15121km · ~3478kg · €63

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 53/100
  • Visa: e-Visa · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Clipper?

Clipper is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your own schedule rather than seasonal windows. However, check local weather and sea conditions before booking, as Australia's seasons affect reef diving.

What will I see at Clipper?

The site has 12 recorded species observations. Expect typical Great Barrier Reef marine life. Check the community video records and observation logs to see recent sightings before your dive.

Do I need permits to dive Clipper?

Clipper is located within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which is a protected marine park. You must comply with all local regulations and permit requirements. Contact local dive operators for current access rules.

Is the coral healthy at Clipper?

Yes. Recent monitoring shows no coral bleaching stress at the site, indicating healthy reef conditions. This supports the site's value for reef tourism and conservation.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

15 records · 15 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Pinnoctopus d'Orbigny, 1845

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Mictyris longicarpus

Malacostraca · Mictyridae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Nanomia bijuga

Hydrozoa · Agalmatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Feb 2022
×1records

Lucidestea

Gastropoda · Rissoidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Sept 2010
×1records

Carukiidae

Cubozoa · Carukiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
20 Dec 2008
×1records

Paguridae

Right-handed Hermit Crabs
Malacostraca · Paguridae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Nov 2003
×1records

Thelepus extensus

Polychaeta · Terebellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
21 Nov 2001
×1records

Conus vexillum

The Flag Cone
Gastropoda · Conidae
OBIS
Last seen:
21 Dec 1984
×1records

Cerithium zebrum

Gastropoda · Cerithiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Jul 1975
×1records

Conus quercinus

Gastropoda · Conidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Nov 1972
×1records

Erronea caurica caurica

Gastropoda · Cypraeidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 May 1969
×1records

Conus suturatus

Gastropoda · Conidae
OBIS
Last seen:
Invalid Date
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Sky diving and the atlantic clipper

zudiaries
💬 1 top comments
  • Aussie seems like the place to be with these beaches !

    @movewithnevin · 👍 0

Diving with Down Under Dive on liveaboard "Atlantic Clipper" Cairns, 1999

LoxFlix Australia

Atlantic Clipper - Sailing Whitsundays

Sailing Whitsundays
wind peaks May-Apr-Aug, calmest Oct-Dec-Nov, dry Apr-Nov.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Aug (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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