Diving Destinations in Australia
Explore the most incredible underwater destinations in Australia. From tropical reefs to dramatic walls, discover your next diving adventure.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef stretches for more than 2,300 km along Australia’s Queensland coast and is Earth’s largest coral ecosystem. With over 2,900 individual reefs, hundreds of islands, and a staggering diversity of marine life, it’s a bucket‑list destination for divers. Outer reef walls, coral gardens and pinnacles support potato cod, giant trevallies, reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays and even visiting dwarf minke and humpback whales. Divers can explore historic wrecks like the SS Yongala, drift along the coral‑clad walls of Osprey Reef or mingle with friendly cod at Cod Hole. Whether you’re a beginner on a day trip from Cairns or an experienced diver on a remote liveaboard, the Great Barrier Reef offers unforgettable underwater adventures.
Ningaloo Reef
Stretching for over 300 km along Western Australia’s remote mid‑north coast, Ningaloo Reef is one of the world’s longest fringing reefs and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unlike the barrier reefs further east, Ningaloo sits just off the beach—often no more than a few fin kicks from the shoreline—making its turquoise lagoons and outer drop‑offs incredibly accessible. The reef is famous for seasonal whale sharks (March–August) and migrating humpback whales (June–November), and its manta ray cleaning stations, dugongs, reef sharks, turtles and colourful coral gardens mean there’s always something to see. Dive operators based in Exmouth and Coral Bay offer day trips to sites like Central Station, The Canyon and the legendary Exmouth Navy Pier, as well as expeditions to the coral‑clad Murion Islands. With clear, warm water and gentle currents, Ningaloo is ideal for both snorkellers and divers seeking megafauna encounters without the crowds.
South West Rocks
South West Rocks is a sleepy coastal town on New South Wales’ mid‑north coast, roughly halfway between Sydney and Brisbane. Its claim to fame is Fish Rock Island, a 120‑metre-long ocean cave that tunnels right through the rock and attracts scores of grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs and schooling fish. The East Australian Current bathes the area in nutrient‑rich water, supporting an astonishing mix of temperate and tropical species and making South West Rocks one of Australia’s best shark dives. Beyond Fish Rock, drift over the reefy slopes of Green Island, dive the colourful “Aquarium”, or explore pinnacles like Fish Bommies where glassfish swirl over sponges. With a laid‑back country vibe and rugged coastline, South West Rocks combines exciting diving with hikes, beaches and heritage sites on shore.