Michaelmas Cay

Michaelmas Cay is a sandy cay surrounded by coral gardens on the outer Great Barrier Reef, in the Cairns/Cooktown management area, sitting on one of the outer reef systems that marks the boundary between the calmer coastal side and the continental shelf. It is accessible by boat, with snorkellers and divers transported to the beach of the cay itself via a glass-bottom boat before entering the water from the shore.

The reef features coral gardens and walls of coral growth, with the terrain suited to those moving gradually from shallow water near the beach out toward deeper sections as comfort allows. The site is considered a comfortable first dive for recently qualified certified divers or those returning to diving after a break, and the entry-level character of the site makes it equally suitable for snorkellers of varying experience.

Marine life at Michaelmas Cay includes green sea turtles, Humphead Maori Wrasse, giant clams, lionfish, puffer fish, live conch shells, tropical fish, and molluscs, alongside colourful coral formations that become more apparent as divers move away from the beach into deeper water.