Situated 24 nautical miles northeast of Cairns, between Michaelmas Cay and Arlington Reef, Pretty Patches is a secluded reef offering an exceptional snorkelling experience. This off-the-beaten-track location is home to small coral bommies and a central reef flat teeming with hard corals.
Snorkelers snorkeling above the hard coral covered reef of Pretty Patches
The reef supports a range of hard corals and soft corals providing shelter and feeding grounds for various marine species. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles are frequently spotted gliding through the clear waters, while schools of fusiliers and yellowtail barracuda dart around the coral formations. Reef flats and bommies are also home to giant clams , spotted sweetlips, and the striking parrotfish, which play a key role in reef health by grazing on algae.
With crystal-clear waters and easy shallow snorkelling conditions, Pretty Patches is an ideal spot for both beginners and experienced snorkellers. The reef is broken into a number of bommies which makes for a really fascinating snorkel. Hard corals mean lots of small fish, hence the name Pretty Patches. This exclusive site ensures there is never any other boats and when the weather is favourable this is one of our favourite sites.
Come explore one of our favourite reef sites – No crowds. Just pure snorkelling.