Cook Island Aquatic Reserve
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is a hotspot for marine life with a mix of tropical, subtropical and temperate marine life and habitats including an array of hard and soft corals. It was established in 1998 to protect the diversity of marine life, now and for future generations.
The aquatic reserve has two zones: the inner zone around the island is a ‘no-take’ area (sanctuary zone), while the outer zone allows some fishing. The inner zone is popular for snorkelling, scuba diving, and underwater photography.
The aquatic reserve is located approximately 600 m offshore from Fingal Head and 4 km south-east of Tweed Heads in northern NSW. It is 80 hectares in area, extending from the mean high-water mark of Cook Island out to a 500 m radius from the survey marker on Cook Island.
The Traditional Custodians of this area are Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans. Cook Island is known by the Traditional Custodians as Jungarra Ngarrian.
Public moorings
Please use the moorings provided subject to the following conditions:
Vessels must not exceed the maximum capacity of the mooring as follows:
- Max. vessel length 15 metres in winds less than 21 knots
- It is the responsibility of the vessel master to ensure that vessel size and wind condition are compatible with the mooring.
- Commercial vessels (including tour operators) have priority at 4 of the moorings, marked ‘Commercial priority’ and/or identified in the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve map. Recreational vessels must vacate the mooring promptly if requested to do so.
- Only one vessel may occupy a mooring at any time.
- A painter line must be used to secure the vessel to the mooring line.
- Vessels must not be manoeuvring under power while attached to a mooring.
- A vessel must not occupy a mooring for more than 3 hours.
- Moorings are used at own risk. Appropriate seamanship should be applied at all times.
Further information
More information on aquatic reserves: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aquatic-reserves
SharkSmart website for tips for divers, snorkellers, swimmers: www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/staying- safe
NSW Maritime website: www.rms.nsw.gov.au
Keeping a safe distance on NSW waterways | NSW Government
Grey Nurse Shark guide: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/gns-protection-guide
Guide to approaching marine mammals in NSW www.environment.
Marine Species Identification Guide
Please contact us at marine.environment@dpird.nsw.gov.au
