Introduction
I’ve been to Heron Island six times and it remains one of my top destinations on Earth. Here I’ve assembled information about when to go and what to see. There is very little information online and by the time most people visit, it’s too late to work out what to do. With a bit of knowledge about currents and seasons, you can time you trip better. The channel at Heron Island has to be one of (if not the) best snorkelling on Earth.
Read more about Heron Island here including my trip reports.
Booking a Heron Island Trip
If you want further advice or you’d like to know more, please consider booking a trip via me, by putting your contact details here: https://deluxelife.com.au/experience/nov-2021-heron-island-turtle-spectacular-6d-5n.
Understanding Tides and Conditions
Once you’re on Heron Island you will realise how much the tides affect what you do each day. However, there are other factors to be aware of. Not least, the times that you can eat breakfast and evening meals – at peak times these have to be booked in advance.
Also, you cannot swim in the channel from 8AM – 5PM, and there are sunset and sunrise times to consider. Instead of trying to work this all out at the time, I’ve put together a handy PDF guide which you can download here.
Tide times advance forward by between about 40 minutes to 1 hour each day so a 7-day trip gives you the chance to experience most tidal periods – this duration allows snorkelers the chance to sample most locations given the following constraints:
- At low tide, the lagoon almost empties, and cannot easily be snorkelled (the water is often <30cm deep).
- The channel is closed from 8AM to 5PM each day to allow for boat traffic (research, diving, ferry and provisioning).
- Sunrise and sunset times vary throughout the year. It starts to get light about half an hour before sunrise and gets dark about half an hour after sunset.
- Animals are active at different tidal periods (e.g. Epaulette Sharks hunt on the lowest tides).
- Arrival and departure days are half days that begin / end around midday.
- Actual low tide is 30 minutes – one hour later than predicted by tide timetables. This is because for as long as the sea has dropped below the outer reef edge, water continues to flow out of the lagoon.
- The best times to snorkel out wide or in Shark Bay are generally two hours either side of high tide – but be very aware of currents (see below).
- The best times to snorkel in the shallow lagoon is about 2-4 hours after low tide. Currents are less strong but the water is still quite shallow (great for macro photography, if you want to be at eye-level with creatures).
This is only a guide. To be honest, there are so many places around the island that you can snorkel, and you’ll see things absolutely everywhere. Don’t underestimate what you’ll see in shallow water. We have had 1.3m Giant Trevally just off the beach.
Safety
A quick note on this. Heron Island is situated in the open ocean, miles from anywhere. If you get into trouble the likelihood is that you won’t be rescued.
The dangers of currents and wind
Heron Island is in the open ocean. If you get into any difficulty, there is no-one to rescue you. A personal EPIRB is recommended. Currents are REALLY DANGEROUS. Anything more than about 2 knots and you’re unlikely to be able to sustain a swim against the current.
NEVER swim without a buddy. And always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
DO NOT swim ‘out wide’ within 3-4 hours of a low tide. The current velocities are too great as the water running off the reef is unpredictable and you may be dragged out (this also goes for the channel).
ONLY SWIM ‘out wide’ within about 90 minutes either side of a high tide or ‘slack water’. This is when tidal currents are weak or non-existent.
HOWEVER, most other currents on Heron Island are wind-driven. As a general rule, the water surface moves at about 10% of wind speed. Therefore, a 20-knot wind will move water at 2 knots – too fast for many people to swim against for long periods.
DO NOT swim ‘out wide’ if the forecast is for anything more than about 5 knots (10 kph) or you can see white-caps. If you start to see scattered white-caps, that is an indication that wind speeds may be creating currents too hard to swim against. It also becomes hard to see your swim buddy or marker-buoys as you are surrounded by breaking waves.
NEVER swim after dark especially at the south of the island. On moonless or cloudy nights there are no visible lights. It is easy to become disorientated and end up out at sea.
IF IN DOUBT swim into the wind and BE CAUTIOUS. Wind speed can change quickly and forecasts are totally unreliable. If the wind comes up and you’re swimming towards it, it’s more likely to carry you back in towards the island (as long as you are not swimming on an outgoing tide).
USE THE ISLAND AS A WINDBREAK. Keep a constant check on the wind and sea conditions. If you find the wind suddenly changes, you may be able to use the island to seek shelter. Move around the corner of the island and swim back inshore until you are again out of the wind.
It’s really important not to exceed your own limits. Ocean swimming can be very hard work. On a 2-hour swim you might cover 4-5km or more of open ocean. There is no-one to rescue you if you get tired or stung by a jellyfish. If there is any doubt at all, DO NOT DO IT! Go on one of the organised boat tours.
