Cook Island, one of the few New South Wales islands, is located approximately 600m offshore from Fingal Head, four kilometers southeast of Tweed Heads in Northern NSW, and right on the border of the Gold Coast.

Aquatic Reserve

Cook Island was declared an Aquatic Reserve on 23^rd October, 1998 to protect the marine biodiversity of the island’s reef system. It is host to a great diversity of marine life resulting from the warm East Australian Current from the north, converging with cooler currents from the South. Temperate, subtropical, and tropical species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks are found all around the island.

It is renowned for its green turtles where at anytime of the year you are sure to spot not just one but multitudes of these majestic chilled out creatures. Leopard and wobbegong sharks are also frequent spectacles and the South side is teeming with miniature marine life. Its fish species are bountiful and there is a plethora of nudibranchs, rays, eels, and octopus. Cook Island is also inhabited and visited by a number of protected species of marine life, including the giant Queensland groper, black cod, estuary cod, and the grey nurse shark.

The 3 Sides

There are 13 moorings around the island which almost all of it is dive-able. It’s sectioned into three sides; the North, South, and East which all have totally different topography and marine life.

North

The North wall is popular for its long, easy navigation, which extends right through to Mary’s Rock. The ledge there, which is at 5m and is perfect for safety stops or snorkeling, is home to baby wobbegongs, nudibranchs, lionfish, octopus, and a diverse range of schooling fish. The ledge drops down to 12 meters and meets a sandy bottom where you will find green and loggerhead turtles, a variety of rays, gropers, leopards in the summer, and grey nurses in the winter.

South

The South side is a photographer’s dream; a macro delight that, on a nice day, takes me back to my time on the GBR. Its colorful soft corals are teeming with micro marine life and it sometimes feels like I’m diving in a giant aquarium. Eagle rays, and even the occasional manta ray, can be seen flying through the waterways. Also, shovel-nosed rays, gropers, cod, and schools of kingfish are all residents in this colorful neighbourhood. With a depth of only 10m, the South side is a very relaxing dive.

East

The East is the most adventurous. It takes me back to when I was a kid, playing in the school playground. It’s full of caves, crevices, and swim-throughs – like a magical garden, it awaits exploration. A wobbegong waits around every bend and on the other side of every swim-through. It’s also the hang out for adolescent turtles before they move on to the more open waters of the North side.

Each side of the island has its own charm to lure you in and many secret spots to discover. I have lived close to Cook Island from birth and am fortunate enough to call it my marine playground. I love this magical Island and want to share its beauty with you. Come and discover Cook Island, so we can share in its delights together.