Australian Scuba Diving

Frequently Asked Questions

Australia is a world-class scuba diving destination, offering breathtaking underwater experiences ranging from vibrant coral reefs along to Queensland coastline to dramatic shipwrecks, diverse marine life, endemic species and big sharks.

At the heart of it all is the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system on the planet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further opportunities abound at the off-the-beaten track destination of the Rowley Shoals in Western Australia, and heart-pumping encounters with great white sharks at the Neptune Islands in South Australia. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a first-timer, exploring Australia's underwater wonders can be an unforgettable adventure.

This page is designed to answer the most common questions about diving in Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. From the best dive sites and marine life encounters to certification requirements and safety tips, we’ve got you covered. Whether you're curious about when to go for the best weather, seasonal information to see particular marine animals, what gear is included, or the current state of the reef, this guide will help you plan your ultimate Australian diving experience.

Questions and Answers

Diving FAQs

When is the best time for a Great Barrier Reef diving holiday?

All year round offers great scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef but the best visibility, the least rain and wind, is from August to December. Manta rays and hammerheads visit the Coral Sea from April to September. Minke whales make an appearance during June and July. Coral spawning occurs in November or December.

What is the difference between the Ribbon Reefs, Coral Sea and the Cairns sites?

The Ribbon Reefs are located about 110-190 km from Cairns. The area stretches over 100 km and consists of 10 large reefs. With great year round visibility and 20m to 50m depths, Ribbon Reefs offer excellent diving and snorkelling for all experience levels. Here you find the famous Cod Hole where you can dive with friendly, man-sized fish. This area offer the biggest variety of marine species and coral.
Osprey Reef is 120 km beyond the Great Barrier Reef and many trips take in both Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Here you can experience 1,000m walls in strong currents with large packs of grey-, and white tip reef sharks and hammerhead sharks at certain times of the year. These diving trips are not great for snorkellers or absolute beginners who lack confidence in strong currents. If you have a few dives under your belt and are reasonably confident then you will find Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea much more rewarding than the Outer Barrier Reef.
The Cairns Barrier Reef is the name given to a section of reefs which start just 50 km off shore fom Cairns. Here you can find walls, swim-throughs and fields of coral. There is a diverse range of marine life from turtles to dolphins. These sites are suitable for beginners to intermediate divers and great for snorkellers. Also if you are short on time and you want to do more than the beginner level Cairns day tours, then the Cairns Outer Barrier Reef is a great option.

I have seen the news that the Great Barrier Reef is dying - Is it still worth visiting?

Yes there has been a lot of coverage of scientific studies that are rather alarming. While it is a concern that the sections tested have, like many other places in the world, indeed suffered recent damage, a liveaboard on the Barrier Reef will have no trouble bringing you site after site where the corals and marine life are in great health. One must remember that the Great Barrier Reef covers an enormous area, some 2,575 km in length and 335,000 sq km! For further information on the marine park, visit our dedicated page: The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Will my liveaboard dives be guided?

The practice of divemastering in Australia varies from boat to boat so please check with us if this is an issue of particular concern to you. On some of our Australian liveaboards there will be a member of staff in the water who acts more in a safety capacity than as a guide or leader for the dive. You may need to pay extra if you would like an in-water guide. Some Great Barrier Reef tour boats have an open deck policy so you can dive for as long as you want and even during meal times.

When can I see dwarf minke whales?

The Ribbon Reefs are the best place in the world for prolonged dwarf minke whale encounters. They are present from May to August but during June and July you are almost guaranteed to see one.

What about the unique mass coral spawning?

Strangely, the coral of the Great Barrier Reef spawns simultaneously. Timed with the full-moon of November, eggs and sperm are released in a mass coral orgy. With all this floating fish food around you can also expect some great marine action.

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General FAQs

Do I need a visa for Australia?

Many tourists visiting Australia are eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority, or ETA. The ETA allows visitors from eligible countries the authority to enter Australia at the time that they make their travel arrangements. Alternatively, can apply through the airline they book their flight trip with. There is normally no need for you to have to visit an Australian embassy.

The ETA is usually issued almost instantaneously online and allows you to stay in the country for up to 3 months at a time. Once issued, the ETA is valid for a period of 1 year and can be used for multiple entries during that period.

It is always advisable to check with the authorities as to what specific requirements may apply to you. For more information, visit the Australian Department of Immigration.

Is there much to do for tourists in Queensland?

Yes, there are lots of great activities and tourist attractions for holiday-makers in and around Cairns and Queensland. Cairns is known as the "Adventure capital of Australia" and Queensland is "Australia's No. 1 beach holiday destination", so you should never be short of things to do here. Cairns is a fun town with plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes to enjoy. Many tourists choose the Kuranda Train and Skyrail tour for a fun day out. The scenic Kuranda railway dates back to the 1800s and takes you through the beautiful Barron Gorge National Park. You can make the journey back via the Skyrail which is a cable car, giving you a very different viewpoint. To learn more about Aboriginal culture and history you should visit Tjapukai Cultural Park, or for nature lovers a tour in the Daintree Rainforest (Australia's largest natural rainforest) is a must. The more adventurous can choose from bungy jumping, sky diving, hot air ballooning and white water rafting.

Looking further afield, Queensland is a state packed with tourism opportunities. The Atherton Tableland is a mountainous getaway only an hour west of Cairns which features magnificent lush scenery. Brisbane is a lively city with excellent botanic gardens and myriad shopping, dining and sporting options. Queensland has hundreds of great golf courses including the famous Paradise Palms course which is considered one of Australia's best. Other places which feature on the tourist trail include Fraser island, Hervey Bay, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Moreton Island National Park.

If you're visiting the barrier reef, you might like to spend some of your holiday exploring the state of Queensland (where it's located) or the city of Cairns (the main departure port for diving trips to the Great Barrier Reef). For more fun ideas of things to do, visit our Queensland tourist activities and Cairns tourist activities pages.

For more ideas about activities and highlights in Australia, visit: Tourism Australia.

I am going diving in Australia but am travelling alone. Will I have to pay a single supplement?

On liveaboard holidays at the Great Barrier Reef most single travellers are expected to share a cabin with another guest or guests. If this is not acceptable to you, you can reserve a 2-share cabin for yourself although you must expect to pay a single supplement on top of the normal price. There is quite a range in supplement prices, 70% to 100% of the published price being the level you might expect to pay. There may be some room for negotiation with the operator, so please check with us first.

What are the Health Concerns?

Tourists face no problems with serious disease in Australia. Sun related injuries account for most of the health problems that are encountered by holiday makers, especially on liveaboards or near the coast where the cooling breezes tend to mask the fierceness of the sun.

Cover up, wear a hat and sunscreen, and remember to drink lots of water (especially when diving) and you should have no problems. The term "Slip, slop, slap, wrap" was invented here, referring respectively to clothing cover, sunscreen, hat and shades, and is definitely worth heeding. The Australian liveaboards all either have water-makers onboard or carry adequate supplies for the trip plus, of course, bottled water and other beverages.

Many of the upscale resorts have their own doctors on call and there tend to be local surgeries in all but the smallest towns. These, especially in the outback, rely on the famous 'Flying Doctor' service if there is a major problem. As for vaccinations and other health precautions, we recommend you consult your local doctor when planning your trip.

Is it safe to travel in Australia?

We consider Australia a safe place for liveaboard tourists to travel. It is an exceptionally popular holiday destination with top grade infrastructure and a reputation for safe travel, even for single females. It enjoys popularity with travellers of all ages, from the legions of gap year backpackers to the super rich staying in fabulously luxurious resorts.

The Australian authorities take a harsh view on drug related offences and visitors should be advised that what may be acceptable in their own countries may incur heavy penalties here.

What's the time zone Down Under?

There are 3 time zones covering the 6 states of Australia:

Eastern Standard Time (EST) covers New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.
Western Standard Time (WST) covers only Western Australia.
Central Standard Time (CST) covers South Australia and the Northern Territories.

Australia has also implemented daylight saving and as such the times in the various zones are between 8 and 11 hours ahead of GMT.

What type of electricity is used?

The electricity in Australia is 220 to 240 volts AC at 50 cycles and utilises an angled 3 flat pin plug (not the UK type); the liveaboard boats use the same type. Most hotels will have adaptors available and many stores carry these in stock if you need to purchase one.

What about staying in touch with those back home?

The Australian postal service is excellent both for domestic and international packages and letters. In general post offices are open from 9 am until 4 pm, Monday to Friday, although in many shopping centres they are open for extended hours.

The telecommunications infrastructure is superb with both international and national prices being very reasonable. Phone cards as well a public pay phones are common, but what an increasing large number of tourists are doing, simply for convenience, is buying a prepaid mobile phone card upon arrival. These, as well as phone cards, are available at many retail outlets and most newsagents will sell both.

Internet access is widely available both in internet cafés, hotels, shops and even restaurants these days with the expansion of WiFi networks. For those that simply have to stay connected, there are not that many towns and cities where you are more than a few minutes away from a connection. Due to the remote nature of the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and other diving destinations, the liveaboard cruises in Australia do not provide wi-fi service, except for one or two that visit Cairns' Outer Barrier Reef.

What is the tipping etiquette?

Tips are generally not expected, although tipping for outstanding service is certainly appreciated. Where larger groups are concerned a higher expectation of a tip may exist and 10% is usually suggested. The same applies to bars, taxi and restaurants.

Can you arrange accommodation for me in Australia?

Our affiliated hotel reservation agents hotelscombined.com have a variety of accommodations throughout Australia. Browse the choices on their website, use their live chat to ask your questions, and then simply use your credit card to make your reservation.

From top-of-the range international holiday resorts to cheap one-star lodges, there's something to suit everyone's taste and needs in Australia. And you can be sure that whatever option you go for, it will be backed up with their 'Low Price Guarantee', so you will always get top-dollar value for money accommodation.

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