www.bom.gov.au · Official
Townsville climate normals used for conservative season planning.
Dive Spot Guide•
Lodestone Reef
Townsville offshore reef with shallow coral gardens and pelagic potential.
Boat-only reef day from Townsville or Magnetic Island, with easy shallow sections on top and deeper outer structure when the weather and group profile allow.
About Lodestone Reef
Lodestone Reef is an offshore Townsville reef day-trip site with shallow coral gardens on top and broader reef structure dropping away into deeper blue water. It works as a flexible boat dive because the upper reef can be calm and fishy while the wider site still supports bigger pelagic moments, rays, reef sharks, and seasonal winter pass-throughs.
•
Research Estimate At Lodestone Reef
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 12m
AccessChallenging entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesLimited facilities
CurrentLight current
SurgeLight surge
Where Is Lodestone Reef?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Lodestone Reef Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
3m - 45m
Depth Note
Public Townsville reef summaries describe Lodestone Reef from very shallow coral tops down into deeper recreational profiles, with operator-style coverage commonly framing it as suitable for snorkelers and divers.
Best Season
The drier months from about May to October usually give the cleanest planning window for Townsville reef trips, while winter also improves the chance of larger seasonal sightings.
Typical Conditions
Open-water reef conditions with variable visibility, usually easier than the Yongala wreck but still shaped by offshore wind, swell, and weather.
Safety & Access At Lodestone Reef
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Low visibility
Safety Notes
Treat Lodestone Reef as an offshore boat day: follow the skipper's site choice, watch surface conditions before giant strides or snorkel entries, and stay conservative if visibility drops or the deeper outer structure looks more active than expected.
Access Restrictions
Access is by boat trip only from Townsville or Magnetic Island through local reef operators.
Local Intel For Lodestone Reef
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Depth range from about 3–45 m can suit a variety of scuba dives.
Freediving
Lodestone Reef can suit guided boat-based freedive or snorkel-style sessions on the shallower coral sections when conditions are calm and the operator is running a mixed-activity reef day.
Snorkeling
Shallow areas around 3 m make it suitable for snorkelers.
Recent Logged Visits At Lodestone Reef
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Lodestone Reef
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility12m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
