Agincourt Reef, Port Douglas

Agincourt Reef: An Unforgettable Underwater Experience

Agincourt Reef—Key Highlights

• One of the most spectacular outer reef destinations, Agincourt Reef is a ribbon reef located about 65 km off the coast of Port Douglas. It offers some of the best snorkelling and diving experiences on the Great Barrier Reef.
• Renowned for its crystal-clear waters, Agincourt Reef boasts exceptional visibility of up to 30 metres, perfect for spotting vibrant coral formations and incredible marine life.
• Home to some of the healthiest coral gardens on the reef, this site features a diverse mix of soft and hard corals, including large plate corals, sea fans, and intricate branching corals.
• A haven for marine life, snorkellers and divers can encounter clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish, reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, and even manta rays, making every visit unforgettable.
• Varied underwater landscapes include shallow lagoons, coral walls, swim-throughs, and deep drop-offs, catering to all skill levels, from first-time snorkelers to advanced scuba divers.
• Floating reef platforms provide easy access for all visitors. They offer activities like glass-bottom boat tours, underwater observatories, and introductory scuba dives, making the reef accessible for families and non-swimmers.
• A must-visit for Great Barrier Reef explorers, Agincourt Reef’s stunning biodiversity, world-class dive sites, and breathtaking underwater scenery make it one of Australia’s most sought-after reef locations.

• Location Latitude:  15°58’58.2″S Longitude: 145°49’20.8″E
• Depth:  0-35 metres
• Visibility: 20 to 25 metres
• Access: via boat or helicopter from Port Douglas
• Size: 3950 hectares
• Postcode: 4877

Discover Agincourt Reef

If you are looking for an unforgettable underwater experience, Agincourt Reef in the Coral Sea should be on your list of places to visit. Located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, Agincourt Reef is part of the Great Barrier Reef and offers a unique and breathtaking scuba diving and snorkelling experience. In this article, we will guide you through the wonders of Agincourt Reef and explain why it is an ideal destination for divers and snorkelers.

Agincourt Reef is a cluster of five reefs 65 kilometres east of Port Douglas.   Together, these beautiful reefs cover a total of 3950 hectares.

Reef Size

•  510 hectares, Reef One
• 620 hectares Reef Two
• 1250 hectares Reef three
• 1260 hectares Reef Four
• 310 hectares Reef Five

Discovering the Wonders of Agincourt Reef

Agincourt Reef is a collection of numerous coral reefs that offer a variety of diving and snorkelling sites. These sites are home to diverse marine life, including colourful fish, turtles, sharks, and many more. One of the unique features of Agincourt Reef is the presence of a wide variety of coral, including staghorn, plate, and boulder corals, which creates a visually stunning underwater landscape.

Activities available

Scuba Diving

For experienced divers, Agincourt Reef offers an exciting and challenging dive experience. The reef has numerous dive sites that range in depth from 5 to 30 metres (16 to 98 feet), offering something for divers of all skill levels. One of the most popular dive sites is the Nursery Bommie, which is located in the shallow waters of the reef and home to abundant marine life, including clownfish, angelfish, and giant clams.

Another popular dive site is the Coral Gardens, located in deeper waters and offers a breathtaking display of colourful corals, fish, and other marine life. The Ribbon Reefs offer more experienced divers a chance to explore deeper waters and encounter larger marine life, such as reef sharks and giant groupers.

Snorkelling in Agincourt Reef

For those who prefer to stay closer to the surface, Agincourt Reef offers an equally exciting snorkelling experience. The shallow waters of the reef are perfect for snorkelling and provide an opportunity to see a wide range of marine life up close. One of the most popular snorkelling sites is the reef’s edge, which offers a drop-off into deeper waters and a chance to see larger marine life, such as reef sharks.

Top Tips for Visiting Agincourt Reef

If you are planning a visit to Agincourt Reef, there are a few things to remember to ensure you have the best possible experience. Here are some tips:

• Book in advance: Agincourt Reef is a popular destination, so it is important to book your dive or snorkelling trip in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable swimwear and bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
• Follow the rules: Agincourt Reef is a protected marine park, so it is important to follow the rules and guidelines set out by the park authorities. This includes not touching or damaging the coral or feeding or disturbing marine life.

Marine Life

See Maori wrasse, giant clams, clownfish, sea anemones, unicornfish, yellow-striped barracuda and turtles.   In the shallows of the Reef are  Lizardfish, parrotfish, damselfish and rays.

This Great Barrier Reef site is a series of smaller reefs with at least sixteen sites to explore.

Channels

This site has exciting swim-throughs and caves for visitors to explore.

Gardens

Coral Gardens has thousands of brightly coloured fish, including Serjeant Major Damselfish, parrotfish, and wrasse.

Castle Rock

Castle Rock has a depth of 24 metres, and visitors can enjoy 15-metre visibility.

At the southern end of this reef is Castle Rock. This site has a tall coral peak that rises from a steep sand slope, offering shallow and deep water diving.

Here, scuba divers can play with a 1.2-metre Malabar grouper.

This Agincourt Reef site is just around the corner from the continental shelf.

Nearby reef shallows on Castle Rock are perfect for snorkelers. Amazing reef life can be seen, such as giant clams, parrotfish, clownfish, and rays. This reef site also has staghorn and boulder coral with Christmas tree worms.

Blue Wonder

Blue Wonder offers an incredible coral wall dive to 40 metres. This site is breathtakingly beautiful, with an exceptional variety of colourful Reef fish.

Nursery Bommie

Nursery Bommie is a coral peak from 25 to 30 metres on Agincourt Reef.   Here, you will find soft corals, sea whips and sea fans.

This Reef location offers a fantastic variety of marine life, including leafy scorpion fish, lionfish, trevally and barracuda.

Take your pick from the award-winning Quicksilver Reef platform, Silversonic, and Poseidon Reef Tours to see this fantastic reef location.

Agincourt Reef Port Douglas

Local Operators include the famous Quicksilver Reef pontoon, where visitors can snorkel and do all levels of scuba diving.

Visitors who prefer to stay dry can view the Reef in the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible submarine. This operator also includes scenic helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef.

Agincourt Reef Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

In conclusion,

Agincourt Reef is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Queensland, Australia. Its stunning coral reefs and abundant marine life offer a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages and experience levels. We hope this article has answered some of your questions and helped you plan your trip to Agincourt Reef.

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