Elford Reef

Elford Reef is a coral reef located just north of Sudbury, offshore of Cairns, open to the northeast with nothing between it and the edge of the Continental Shelf. The reef features a passage narrow enough to require careful navigation, with shallow areas and deeper pools, and reaches a maximum depth of 30 metres.

The reef's terrain mixes areas of degraded coral — consistent with a severe Crown of Thorns starfish outbreak — with isolated healthy coral heads and patches of colour, including large Porite formations and Giant Clams. Fish life is abundant despite the coral condition, with schools of surgeonfish, paddletails, and parrotfish present, along with Coral Trout and Giant Clams.

Access is by boat, with anchoring possible east of the passage on a sandy bottom. The site is exposed to northeast swell, which can cause noticeable roll at the anchorage, and the open ocean position means conditions can be more exposed than at nearby sheltered spots. Jellyfish are a known hazard. The site is rated suitable for beginners.