The Keppel Islands on the Southern Great Barrier Reef are one of the best places in Australia to explore with your own boat.
Whether you are just heading out for a spot of fishing, want to cast yourself away for the day on a secluded beach, or keen to overnight under the stars with an island all to yourself, Keppel Bay ticks all the boxes.
After spending much loved time exploring the Islands off the Capricorn Coast for the last month with our own boat, here are the top five that got our (outboard) motors running!
Great Keppel island
With incredible beaches and stunning blue water, fringing coral reefs and great on-island activities and facilities, this is by far the best island to explore as it has everything! There are 17 beaches that you can anchor on, and your chances of having a beach to yourself for the day is high.
Our favourite beaches are Long Beach, Wreck Beach, Secret Beach and the ever-popular Putney Beach. Aside from beaches, there are some spectacular fringing reefs scattered around the island, and if you are in wanting to snorkel with turtles, Shelving Beach is your best bet. They can often be found around the back end of the reef having a rest among the coral. Big Peninsula is our ‘go to spot’ to find some amazing sea life such as manta rays, stingrays, moray eels and loads of colourful fish.
If colourful reef is what you are searching for, then we found Wreck Beach to have the most amount of colour. Monkey Beach is also a very popular snorkelling spot as it is one of the largest fringing reefs perfect for snorkelling, and all within walking distance to the main beach. If you fancy having a break from the water, Great Keppel Island also offers plenty of bush walks. The walk up to Mount Wyndham is extremely rewarding with its stunning views.
Keppel Dive and Snorkel, which is in the green hut on the beachfront has all your non-motorised water sports equipment for hire. Grab a SUP or kayak and experience the water from above.
Once the exploring is done, anchor the boat on Fisherman’s Beach and grab yourself some tucker and drinks from the Great Keppel Island Hideaway Bistro.
Humpy Island
Humpy Island is a Keppel Bay National Park Island and is the most popular for camping as it has a toilet and plenty of shade for the tent.
The beautiful beach has a local turtle who absolutely loves to pose for photos!
Beyond the sand is some amazing coral and around the corner is a sea cave that is perfect for the kids to play and explore.
Around the back of the island is a popular fishing spot and a great place to go scuba diving.
middle island
Middle Island is only a stone’s throw away from the main beach of Great Keppel Island and is also home to an old underwater observatory which is a brilliant place to snorkel or dive due to the number of large fish calling it home.
As a Great Barrier Reef green zone, the fish residing here are protected and therefore plentiful.
Middle Island is another popular spot to camp with three separate camping areas available to set up your tent. You can take your pick as to which one is better depending on the wind direction.
There are no facilities on this Island, so you need to bring everything with you.
We camped on Sunset Beach, which was perfect and as the name suggests, you get front row seats to the most amazing end of day show!
conical island
Conical Island is small but really packs a punch with what it offers.
Picture secluded island camping (only 1 campsite on the entire Island!), amazing snorkelling (with some impressive coral bommies) and fishing off the back end of the Island.
You really couldn’t ask for a more picturesque location to spend the day or a few nights.
halfway island
Located between Great Keppel Island and Humpy Island, the cleverly named Halfway Island is the perfect spot to pull up for a picnic lunch.
This Island is small but stunning and invites relaxation and seclusion. The views from this beach are incredible and it also has a small current running across the beach so be sure to take a floaty and let the ocean be your tour guide.
No boat? No worries – check out the adventure and ferry operators, and boat hire businesses listed below who can help you to have a top island experience.
Freedom Fast Cats – offer a ferry service to Great Keppel Island, along with an all-day cruise around the islands and a glass bottom boat tour.
Keppel Konnections – offer a ferry service to Great Keppel Island
Keppel Explorer – an island-hopping, adrenaline-pumping scenic boat tour around the Keppel Islands
Keppel Dive – offer private beach drops and pick ups from Great Keppel Island
Funtastic Cruises – offer small group tours around the Islands on their 17m luxury catamaran
Let’s Go Boat Hire Yeppoon – self drive hire boat
There is also plenty of accommodation on Great Keppel Island if you are planning a weekend visit. Check out Great Keppel Island Hideaway or Great Keppel Island Holiday Village.
Need somewhere to dock once back on the mainland or boating information? Contact Keppel Bay Marina and chat with the friendly team.
