Diving in Australia, Great Barrier Reef, Wrecks and Pelagic

Australia, a huge continent being the 6th largest country, populated by thousands of palm trees, fine sand, translucent sea and several diving areas. It is one of the most popular destinations but also the best diving destination. Its population, estimated at about 24 million, is mainly concentrated in the major coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Known to have diverse fauna and flora but also very famous such as the kangaroo, the great white shark, the dugong. Australia is a country that is full of richness and culture that will satisfy nature lovers for a stay that will make you dream.

Where to dive in Australia?

Australia has seven states, namely Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania. Each state offers unique diving adventures. We have selected for you 5 incredible diving areas.

Queensland

In the State of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is located which is very famous for its diving site. It is the largest coral reef in the world with more than 2,900 reefs and 900 islands stretching from Bundaberg to the tip of the Cape York peninsula. You will have the opportunity to find 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of mollusks and over 400 species of corals that have been recorded underwater. Here is a selection of some of the most fascinating species inhabiting the Great Barrier Reef: white groupers, clown fish, mantas, sharks and whales.

New South Wales

With its 2 000 km of coast, the New South Wales has a lot to give to the amateurs of underwater diving. In the north, there is very popular Byron Bay and aquatic reservation Cook Island. In the region of the North Central Coast, the popular dive sites in Coffs Harbor Marine Park Solitary Islands, South West Rocks and Lord Howe Island. Near Newcastle you can dive to Port Stephens and the Great Lakes Marine Park. There is even diving right next to Sydney and in the South Coast area including Bass Island, Jervis Bay and Batemans Bay. Lord Howe Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also offers excellent scuba diving sites. With all this variety, there is always something to satisfy new divers and experienced divers.

Victoria

Victoria State is located in the southeast of the main island of Australia, Victoria is the smallest Australian continental state. There is an abundance of piers that jut out into the blue, creating a shady environment for creatures that crave shelter. The best dive sites are Flinders Pier, Mornington Peninsula, and Rye Pier. Flinders will show you sea dragons, seals, and bull sharks. Rye Pier is known for the garden Octopus, well appointed, with seals and sea horses. Head to some of the awesome shipwrecks in the area, giving Victoria’s shore the name of the Shipwreck Coast. Port Campbell boasts the excellent Lock Ard wreck, where you can see remnants of the life this boat once housed. Bottles and tiles lay scattered around the wreck. This is a great spot to pick up your wreck diving certification.

South Australia

Commonly known as South Australia, the state is bordered by 3 000 km of coastline. It occupies some of the most desert regions of the island and with an area of 984,377 km2, it is the fourth largest state in Australia. With 1.6 million people, the state is home to less than 10% of the Australian population. The majority of the population lives in Adelaide. South Australia has some little-known dive sites that are perfect for divers of all levels. Reef dive located at Port Noarlunga, Seacliff Reef, Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln these exceptional places provide an interesting insight into the marine life of the region. In Kangaroo Island, the Neptune Islands are famous for harboring the great white shark and offer sensational dives. They are accessible via Port Lincoln, 600 km from Adelaide. Wreck divers, bring out your cameras. The Norma is a massive four masted ship, sunk unintentionally in 1907. The next day, another ship ran over the ship, sinking on top of it. To prevent further accidents, the ship was dynamited, giving wreck divers a unique look at a strange collection of pieces. Twisted metal and undeterminable shards are scattered across the sea bed. Keep a heads up, you will probably see other ships passing by overhead.

Western Australia

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia with 2,645,615 km2 representing about one-third of the main island area. Occupying all the west of the country, it is bordered by the Indian Ocean. One of the most fantastic dive areas in the world is in Western Australia. Ningaloo Reef is a splendid coral reef that is protected by its isolation and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. A little way out in the Indian Ocean, the Abrolhos Islands are home to wacky nudibranchs and plenty of shipwrecks. There are 122 islands to explore, all of which boasting their own collection of coral reefs. A marine reserve is in place to protect this fragile environment. To the south, take a trip to Seal Cove, where you can interact with a group of seals. You can find this place on Breaksea Island, near Albany. A trip into Western Australia will allow you to discover a remarkable ecosystem.

When to go?

Diving is excellent all year round in most states. Australia has a temperate climate for most of the year, but the northern states are warm all the time, while the southern states have cold winters. The hurricane season, which affects the northern states, runs from November to April.

Diving conditions?

Average water temperature: 20 ° C to 31 ° C all year round. In the south, in winter, the water can be fresh.

Average visibility: expect 15 to 20 m on local dive sites and up to 50 m on offshore submarine sites.

Depth: from 5 to 40 m. The coral reefs are shallow and most dive sites are between 10 and 20 m deep.

What to see in diving?

Like Australia above the water, expect the big and bold underwater too. The range of creatures and fish life is stunning. Whales can be spotted at several locations with May to October offering the best opportunity. Wobbegongs, grey reef, nurse and white tip sharks all make their home here. Whale sharks cruise into Exmouth from April until July and manta rays can be seen from June to November. New South Wales is the only home of the weedy sea dragon. Also, expect to see turtles, an array of silvery hunters and reef patrollers as well as a host of critters and fish life, too.