Milln Reef
Milln Reef is a renowned site on the Great Barrier Reef, considered one of the best spots to snorkel and dive from Cairns. Abundant in a range of healthy hard and soft corals and plentiful marine life, this spectacular reef is situated within a Green Zone, meaning fishing or collection of sea creatures are not permitted within this protected area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
This article details commonly asked questions about Milln Reef including where is it located, how to get there, what you’ll see and what the conditions are like.
Jump on one of these boat trips from Cairns for a chance to visit Milln Reef!
How far is Milln Reef located from Cairns?
Milln Reef is located approximately 56km (30nm) southeast from Cairns and sits near the Continental Shelf on the Outer Reef. The cruise out to Milln is roughly 1.5 - 2 hours from Cairns Marlin Marina, depending on which boat you travel on.
How do I get to Milln Reef?
If you don’t have a private vessel, the best way to get to Milln Reef is by jumping on a day boat tour or an overnight liveaboard trip from Cairns. Boats that frequently visit Milln include Passions of Paradise, Silverswift, Dreamtime Snorkel & Dive and the Pro Dive 3 Day Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard Trip.
What can I expect to see at Milln Reef?
Some of the common marine life that frequent Milln Reef include Parrotfish, Giant Clams, Reef Sharks, Clownfish, Turtles, Triggerfish, Nudibranchs, Cuttlefish, Starfish, Sea Cucumber, Blue Spotted Lagoon Rays and the famous Humphead Maori Wrasse. Of course this list is not extensive and there are hundreds of other species that you’re likely to encounter on a trip out to this rich and vibrant reef site. If you're travelling during Whale Season you might get lucky and chance a sighting of Humpbacks or Minke Whales migrating north to warmer waters.
Milln Reef Dive And Snorkel Sites
Milln Reef is a great, shallow location ideal for both diving and snorkelling. Being close to the Continental Shelf presents Milln with precious minerals and marine microorganisms sustain the underwater inhabitants that call this beautiful site home.
The waters are pristine and crystal clear with visibility ranging between 15-20 metres. It’s great for underwater photographers and seeing all sorts of marine life up close. Milln has an endless supply of coral bommies, swim-throughs, wall dives and pinnacles with depths varying from very shallow at less than a metre, up to 30m (98 feet).
Whale Bommie
Whale Bommie is a great place for diving, often exceeding 20m! It’s known for its amazing night diving, giving you insight into the nocturnal world of the Great Barrier Reef.
Petaj Mooring
Petaj is a reef that is home to sea turtles and whitetip reef sharks. It has great visibility and is host to a huge variety of marine life. It also has a number of swim-throughs, making it an especially exciting place for scuba divers.
Swimming Pools I & II
Swimming Pools I is home to schools of banded sweetlips and nudibranchs, which can be spotted hanging out among the corals. It's a great place for beginning divers while also catering to intermediate divers. Most dives here average 10m, giving you the chance to explore the reef at a comfortable depth. Swimming Pools II reaches 30m in depth and offers a shallow dive site of 10-12m. It has a variety of coral and tropical fish and is known as a great place for night diving.
Three Sisters
Three Sisters is a collection of 3 bommies that rise out of the sandy ocean floor. This site has a huge variety of wildlife, hosting vast numbers of fish and even reef sharks! The visibility here is pretty good most of the time, allowing for great snorkelling and diving. Be sure to check out the overhangs and crevices, where you might spot some elusive marine animals!
