Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Two scuba divers with gear exploring the deep blue ocean, captured under natural light.
📷 Sébastien Vincon · Pexels

Flare Point

3.4 — based on 13 community signals
4.2 12 species 20 contributors

Flare Point is a year-round dive site in Australia's Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Great Barrier Reef World Herit… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Water temp
23–29°C
MPAPhotoFriendlyFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Water temp
23–29 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Nudibranch

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
24.1 kn
Wave
2.1 m
Water
24.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (55%)
Now: ESE (122°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.85m

Next: High at 05:00 (+0.62m)

+1.7 m0 m-0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.62m ▼ 10:00 · +0.27m ▲ 18:00 · +1.38m ▼ 01:00 · +0.29m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.3 · very high Air PM2.515 · moderate 06:09 18:12
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 26.5 2.2 8 1mm
09-20 22.4 1.82 9 1mm
09-21 18.9 1.36 6 1mm
09-22 18.3 1.22 8 2mm
09-23 18.5 1.34 9 2mm
09-24 23.2 1.46 9 4mm
09-25 23.2 1.44 9 2mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (23–29°C)

About this spot

Flare Point sits within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, one of the world's most protected and studied marine ecosystems. The site benefits from strong conservation measures that keep the reef in good condition. Coral here shows no stress signs, making it an ideal spot for divers who want to see thriving reef structures and the animals that depend on them. Twelve species observations have been recorded at Flare Point, giving divers a solid sense of what to expect when they visit. The variety of marine life reflects the reef's health and the range of habitats available. Whether you're after schooling fish, larger predators, or nudibranchs, the site delivers consistent encounters. You can dive Flare Point any time of year, so plan around your schedule and travel budget rather than seasonal windows. Three community videos document dives here, so check those before you go to see recent conditions and get a feel for the site. As with all Great Barrier Reef dives, respect the marine protected area rules and follow local operator guidelines.

📖 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

Marine life

Nudibranch

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

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

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
  • 📜 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%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 15021km · ~3455kg · €62

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 Flare Point?

Flare Point is diveable year-round, so choose based on your schedule and weather preference rather than seasonal limits. Check with local operators for current conditions before booking.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not available for Flare Point. Contact local dive operators in the area for details on site layout, currents, and skill requirements.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at Flare Point. Coral is healthy with no bleaching stress, supporting diverse reef fish and invertebrates. Check community videos for recent sightings.

Do I need permits or special access?

Flare Point is in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, a marine protected area. Follow all local regulations and dive only with licensed operators familiar with MPA rules.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

56 records · 47 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Mictyris longicarpus

Malacostraca · Mictyridae
GBIF
Last seen:
16 Apr 2026
×1records

Archaster typicus

Asteroidea · Archasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Jul 2025
×1records

Acropora humilis

Anthozoa · Acroporidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Jul 2025
×1records

Pastinachus ater

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 May 2025
×1records

Sphyrna mokarran

Great hammerhead
Elasmobranchii · Sphyrnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Aug 2017
×4records
Depth:
0–10 m

Petrarctus demani

Malacostraca · Scyllaridae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Oct 2004
×1records

Dysidea

Demospongiae · Dysideidae
OBIS
Last seen:
16 Oct 2004
×1records
Depth:
47 m

Astropecten vappa

Asteroidea · Astropectinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
16 Oct 2004
×1records
Depth:
47 m

Cryptolutea arafurensis

Malacostraca · Pilumnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Oct 2004
×1records

Portunus armatus

Australian Blue Swimmer Crab
Malacostraca · Portunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Oct 2004
×1records

Odontodactylus cultrifer

Malacostraca · Odontodactylidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Oct 2004
×1records

Eodemus hastatoides

Malacostraca · Portunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Oct 2004
×1records
Depth:
20 m

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

If conditions don't work

Activities nearby or alternative spots — keep your trip going.

📍 Attraction · 0 km
Flare Point
View on map ↗
📍 Attraction · 1.8 km
Steve's Bommie
View on map ↗

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Scuba Dive Great Barrier Reef, Australia (Flare Point). Australia - 20131117

Michael Meketa Videos

Flare Point, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Wide Angle Adventure

First Solo Dive!

Sea the World- by Jordan
💬 1 top comments
  • I love what you did but Never Dive Alone .... !! <3 .. BTW like your shirt ♫

    @tarekmohammed2354 · 👍 1
wind peaks May-Apr-Aug, calmest Nov-Dec-Jan, dry May-Nov, water 23-29°C.

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: Sep (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Steve's Bommie Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

Steve's Bommie

Steve's Bommie is a year-round Great Barrier Reef dive site featuring healthy coral and abundant marine life in a protected World Heritage zone.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Wreck Bay Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

Wreck Bay

Wreck Bay offers year-round diving within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

Intermediate

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Anemone Bay Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

Anemone Bay

Anemone Bay offers year-round diving in a protected marine park with healthy corals and diverse marine life near North Solitary Island.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
North Rock Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

North Rock

North Rock is a year-round dive site in Port Stephens, NSW, protected within a marine park and home to diverse marine species.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Looking Glass Australia Diving
🇦🇺 Australia

Looking Glass

Looking Glass is a year-round dive site in Port Stephens, NSW, within a marine protected area with healthy coral and 12 documented species.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Lembeh Strait Indonesia Diving
🇮🇩 Indonesia

Lembeh Strait

Black-sand muck diving capital of the world. Pygmy seahorses, mimic octopus, blue-ringed octopus, frogfish, rhinopias — small weird stuff.

Beginner 3–25m 12m Mar·Apr·May+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →