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📷 Primo Passo · Pexels

Pixie Gardens

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.2 12 species 21 contributors

Pixie Gardens is a year-round dive site within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, known for healthy coral and rich marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Great Barrier Reef World Herit… updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAFamily-friendlyBeginnerPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
23.8 kn
Wave
2.22 m
Water
24.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (50%)
Now: ESE (120°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.84m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.64m), Low 10:00 (+0.29m)

+1.7 m0 m-0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.64m ▼ 10:00 · +0.29m ▲ 18:00 · +1.4m ▼ 00:00 · +0.32m Now +0.4m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.85 · high Air PM2.516 · moderate 06:09 18:13
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 28.5 2.3 8 1mm
09-20 23.5 2 8 0mm
09-21 18.1 1.42 8 0mm
09-22 18 1.24 9 1mm
09-23 18.4 1.32 8 1mm
09-24 22.3 1.64 9 1mm
09-25 23.2 1.74 9 1mm

About this spot

Pixie Gardens sits within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, one of the world's most protected coral ecosystems. The site shows no signs of coral stress, indicating strong environmental conditions. Year-round access means you can plan a dive trip almost any time that suits your schedule. The reef supports diverse marine life across 12 documented species observations. Community divers have contributed 3 videos showing the site's underwater character. These resources give you a real sense of what to expect below the surface before you book. Being inside the World Heritage Area means strict environmental protections are in place. This benefits both the reef and your dive experience—healthier coral and more stable fish populations. The site attracts divers looking for accessible Great Barrier Reef diving without requiring a remote expedition.

📖 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

ReefShore

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 14959km · ~3441kg · €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 Pixie Gardens?

Pixie Gardens is diveable year-round. However, Australia's tropical north has a wet season (November–April) with higher rainfall and occasional rough seas. The dry season (May–October) typically offers calmer conditions and better visibility.

What depth and skill level is required?

Specific depth and difficulty data for Pixie Gardens are not available. Contact local dive operators or check recent trip reports before booking to confirm what training level is appropriate.

What marine life will I see?

Pixie Gardens has 12 documented species observations on record. Community videos show the variety of life present. For a detailed species list, review those videos or ask dive operators familiar with current conditions at the site.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Pixie Gardens is inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which is managed under strict environmental rules. You must dive with a licensed operator who holds appropriate permits. Always confirm current access requirements and restrictions before traveling.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

50 records · 48 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Glossodoris cincta

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Oct 2017
×1records

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
10 Oct 2016
×1records

Phyllidia varicosa

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Oct 2016
×1records

Perinereis nuntia

Polychaeta · Nereididae
OBIS
Last seen:
29 Apr 2016
×1records

Ophidiaster granifer

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Jan 2016
×1records

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Oct 2015
×1records

Acanthaster planci

crown-of-thorns starfish
Asteroidea · Acanthasteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
10 Dec 2014
×1records

Glycera sagittariae

Polychaeta · Glyceridae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Aug 2013
×1records

Syllidae

Polychaeta · Syllidae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Aug 2013
×1records

Glycera tridactyla

Polychaeta · Glyceridae
OBIS
Last seen:
21 Aug 2013
×1records

Ceratonereis

Polychaeta · Nereididae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Aug 2013
×1records

Periclimenes

Malacostraca · Palaemonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Sept 2010
×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.

Spirit of Freedom Trip August 2015 - Dive one Pixie gardens

Christie Payne

Pixie Gardens 2nd Dive

Lawrence Ko (Nameless86)

Pixie Gardens, May 3, 2012, Coral Sea, Australia

Chris Nagy
💬 3 top comments
  • Ok, I understand. I'll have to look at the 3D convergence controls in Cineform Studio more closely. I wasn't shooting in portrait mode. Thanks for the info...

    @cnagyxyz · 👍 0
  • Do you mean camera angle? I wish the GoPro 3D allowed the LCD back pack attachment so I could tell what I was shooting...

    @cnagyxyz · 👍 0
  • You need to sort out your vertical alignment on a lot of these shots

    @cjdshaw · 👍 0
wind peaks May-Aug-Sep, calmest Feb-Dec-Jan, dry May-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: May (100/100) Worst: Oct (0/100) Now: Sep (95/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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