The most popular places that avid scuba divers go are:
- The Great Barrier Reef
- Ningaloo Reef
- Kangaroo Islands
- Heron Island
- Lizard Island
- Off sydney’s coast
- Rottnest Island
- Esperence
- Yongala
- Nuyts Archipelago
We’ve listed down three top Australia scuba diving spots and the highlights of a diving trip in each area.
Ningalo Reef ( Western Australia )
It’s a reef that runs about 260 kms long and is the world’s largest fringing reef. What makes it so unique? Well, it’s so close to the shore that even snorkelers don’t need to go very far to get the satisfaction of seeing its teeming marine habitat. (Photo by hmorandell )
BUT that’s not all!
The Ningalo Reef is best known for its seasonal visitors –the whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays and hawksbill turtles. They come so close you can actually swim with and marvel at these beautiful creatures.
Dolphins are also daily visitors to the area and come incredibly close to shore ( about knee deep!).
Whale sharks – Mid March to June
Manta Rays – August – October
Humpback whales – June - November
Best time to dive: November – February
Great Barrier Reef ( Queensland )
Any diver or visitor to Australia will have heard of its most famous natural ocean wonder, the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest collection of coral with one of the most abundant collections of marine life. (Photo By DocJelly)
It spans about 300,000 square kms. and has about 600 islands scattered around the reef.
There are many places on or near the reef which you can use as a scuba diving base.
From the mainland, you can stay in Cairns, Townsville, or Port Douglas. You can also stay on any of the islands such as Whitsunday Island, Lizard Island, Keppel Island or Bedarra Island.
Off Sydney’s Coast
If you don’t have time to go to the Ningaloo or the Great Barrier Reef for a dive, there are actually lots of excellent dive sites just off the coast of Sydney.
Though the coral may not be as amazing as in the two reefs above, the sea life as well as shipwreck sites can be just as interesting.
Expect to find giant cuttlefish, Port Jackson and Grey Nurse sharks, king fish, rays and more. Dives are available for both beginners and advanced divers.
Kangaroo Island ( South Australia )
Dive with white sharks ( well actually, you need to be in a cage to watch them ) off Kangaroo Island. And if that’s not enough to lure you to scuba dive here, you will also see leafy sea dragons, dolphins and an abundant marine life.
Dive season: October - May
