Diving in Australia

Great Barrier Reef Scuba Diving

Australia is known for its unusual animals, rich marine life, fascinating culture, Crocodile Dundee, Vegemite and very distinctive accents. But when it comes to visiting below the ocean's surface, one particular part of its marine heritage stands out above all others.

Rated as both Australia's and one of the world's top scuba destinations, diving the Great Barrier Reef should be at the top of any true dive enthusiasts' must-do list of places to visit. Here is the best place to find your widest choice of Australia liveaboards.

Stretching over 2,000 km from Lizard Island in the north down to Great Palm Island in the south, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system and the only such structure, made up of living organisms, actually visible from space.

The main attraction is the dizzying array of marine life it supports, many of which are believed to be endemic to the reef, showcasing the best of Australia scuba diving. A more specific attraction of the reef is that it's the breeding ground for 6 species of turtle, attracted by varied menu of seagrass. The olive ridley, hawksbill, leather back, green, flatback and loggerhead turtle are all frequently spotted at various sites on the reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is also a veritable playground for dolphins, whales and porpoises, including humpback whales, minke whales and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Around 30 species have been recorded in the marine park. Dugongs are also commonly spotted.

Of sharks, scuba diving in Australia and the "GBR" has no shortage, with 125 recorded species of shark, stingray or chimera lurking about the reef or on the sandy bottoms, at home amongst the reefs endless offering of choice tidbits.

More than 400 species of soft and hard coral can be found when you dive the Great Barrier Reef. An annual mass spawning takes place when the corals of the inner reefs spawn in the week after the October full moon and the outer reefs do the same in November and December.

Molluscs, giant clams, nudibranchs, cone snails, pipefish and seahorses, all have multiple species hidden amongst the coral's nooks and crannies, providing colour and life to a reef too expansive for to ever explore in its entirety in a single lifetime.

The corals of the Great Barrier Reef harbour over 1,500 species of fish, including clownfish, red-throat emperor, red bass, several species of snapper and coral trout, lionfish, stonefish and many more.

In a demonstration of marine diversity, even saltwater crocodiles have a connection to the reef. Luckily they are restricted to marshes and mangroves on the coast near the reef.

Highlights

Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip, each section of the reef brings something different. The Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef offer the most amazing dives in quiet, pristine dive locations, which means your Australia diving trip will be truly unforgettable.

Famous dive sites like Cod Hole will provide you with the opportunity to come up close and personal with giant potato cod that are virtually tame, or wet your suit whilst perched on the sandy bottom at North Horn in the North Coral Sea as you come to within snapping distance from a shark feeding frenzy.

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How to Dive Australia

Great Barrier Reef liveaboards are the best way to make the most of your diving trip to Australia.

Dive The World offers you access to the better Cairns barrier reefs with day-trips, or more often short liveaboards to maximise your number of dives.

Due to the distance to the Ribbon Reefs and Osprey Reef, they are accessible through liveaboard cruises only and are your key to the splendour that can only be found on these distant parts of the Great Barrier Reef. However, due to the low number and popularity of these trips, we recommend you booking well in advance.

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Diving Season

Australia as a whole is a year round dive destination but, for most part, late August to early December yields the best Great Barrier Reef diving conditions.

The best time for an Australia liveaboard diving is July to November, although in the Coral Sea at Osprey Reef and North Horn, visibility peaks during June and September.

Minke Whale season is usually from June to August and is the ideal time to spot and interact with these gentle giants at the Great Barrier Reef.

Reef Summary

Good for: Large animals, underwater photography, reef life and health, beginner divers and snorkelling
Not so good for: Wreck diving
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 40m
Currents: Gentle to moderate
Surface conditions: Usually calm but can be choppy
Water temperature: 24 - 29°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: >300
Access: Australia liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 1 - 2 weeks

Best of the Barrier Reef

More detailed information on the dive sites:

  The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

  North Coral Sea

• Australia Diving Video Gallery

• Australian tourist information

View a map of:
• Australia

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