7 best places to dive in Australia (beyond the Great Barrier Reef)
Looking for the best places to dive in Australia? Discover 7 incredible destinations, from the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef to the chilly kelp forests of Tasmania.
Australia is one of the world’s most exciting scuba diving destinations – a diverse range of marine environments surround this huge island nation.
While the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef immediately comes to mind, there are several other dive destinations that guarantee unforgettable encounters.
As an Australian-based team of divers and surfers, this is our backyard! Our country is blessed with some of the most incredible underwater landscapes in Oceania and we’re happy to share them with the wider world.
Whether you want to explore little-visited caves, drift through giant kelp forests or come face-to-face with great white sharks, there are dive experiences in Australia for everyone.
In this article, discover 7 of the best places to dive in Australia, from the tropical warmth of Cairns to the chilly waters of Tasmania. We’ll also share recommended places to stay in each of the gateway towns to help you plan your Australian dive adventure.
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Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Best place to dive in Australia for coral reef diversity
Highlights of diving the Great Barrier Reef:
- Dive the world’s largest coral reef system
- Spot everything from big pelagics to macro critters and everything in between
- Numerous and diverse dive sites to suit all levels
As the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket list destination for many divers.
Stretching over 2,000 kilometres along the northeastern coast of Australia, this natural wonder is one of the best places to dive in the world. Ths is not only because of its sheer size and scale but also due to the fact that much of the reef is protected.
Numerous species of sharks, including hammerheads, tigers and wobbegongs can be spotted gliding through the crystal-clear waters. Meanwhile, mighty humpbacks, sperm and dwarf minke whales can occasionally be seen breaching the surface.
Beyond these big pelagic species, divers can also encounter a huge variety of other marine creatures, from sea snakes to coral cods and manta rays.
The Great Barrier Reef is notable for its colourful coral formations, which provide habitat for a wealth of unusual and captivating macro creatures.
With excellent visibility and a diverse range of dive sites suitable for all skill levels, the Great Barrier Reef is definitely one of the best places to dive in Australia.
Cairns is the main gateway for accessing the Great Barrier Reef. But there are also exceptional scuba experiences around Lady Musgrave, Lady Elliot and Heron Island.
You’ll find some of our top tour recommendations for exploring the Great Barrier Reef here.
The Great Barrier Reef is also a hub for marine conservation. Learn about innovative solutions to ensure its survival and how Indigenous knowledge is being harnessed in the process.
Practical info for diving the Great Barrier Reef:
When to dive the Great Barrier Reef: Year-round (April to October is the dry season)
Water temperature: 22 to 29°C (71 to 84°F)
Getting there: Fly to Cairns Airport
Where to stay in Cairns to dive the Great Barrier Reef
Luxury
Pullman Reef Hotel
Mid-range
Shangri-La The Marina
Budget
Travellers Paradise
Bicheno, Tasmania
Best place to dive in Australia for kelp forests and seals
Highlights of diving Bicheno:
- Witness underwater granite boulders and tunnels
- Explore healthy kelp forests that provide habitat for cold water marine life
- Dive the 38-metre wall known as the “Magic Garden”
Perched on the picturesque east coast of Tasmania lies the town of Bicheno. In our opinion, it’s a gem for adventurous divers and marine enthusiasts.
The town’s primary allure for divers stems from its proximity to one of the Apple Isle’s most famous diving destinations – the Governor Island Marine Reserve.
Minutes from the boat ramp, divers can easily access this underwater world of granite boulder systems, cavernous tunnels and healthy kelp forests.
Throughout the year, the sheltered coves and inlets of the reserve shield you from the open ocean’s more turbulent elements.
The crown jewel of this marine paradise is the aptly named “Magic Garden” – a 38-metre underwater wall blanketed in coral. Here, you may be lucky enough to see seals gliding effortlessly through the enormous tunnels. It’s an experience like no other!
Bicheno’s unbeatable location on Tasmania’s sunny East coast, combined with its geological wonders, cement its status as one of the best places to dive in Australia.
Practical info for diving in Bicheno, Tasmania:
When to dive Bicheno: Year-round
Water temperature: 12 to 16 °C (53 to 60°F)
Getting there: Fly to Launceston Airport and make the two-hour drive to Bicheno
Where to stay in Bicheno to dive Governor Island Marine Reserve
Luxury
The Sea Keeper
Mid-range
Bicheno Garden Cottages
Budget
Bastu Bicheno
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Best place to dive in Australia for whale sharks
Highlights of diving Ningaloo Reef:
- Diving alongside whale sharks, humpbacks, turtles and dolphins
- Encounter incredible rainbow coral formations
- Explore the world’s second-largest coral reef
Situated off the coast of Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef is the second-largest coral reef in the world. In our opinion, it’s one of the best places to dive in Australia beyond the Great Barrier Reef.
This UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination is a must-visit for any nature lover or adventure seeker. In short, it offers a wealth of natural wonders to discover both above and below the water’s surface.
The Ningaloo Marine Park, which encompasses the reef, protects a diverse array of marine life and offers up-close encounters with some of the ocean’s most majestic creatures.
The region is renowned not only for its stunning underwater landscapes but also as one of the best places in Australia to swim with whale sharks.
The optimal time to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures is between March and August when they congregate in the nutrient-rich waters to feed.
To encounter the “Big 3” – whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales – coincide your visit with the months of July and August.
Practical info for diving Ningaloo Reef:
When to dive Ningaloo Reef: Year-round but March to August is best for spotting whale sharks
Water temperature: 19 to 28°C (66 to 82°F)
Getting there: Fly to Learmonth Airport
Where to stay in Coral Bay and Exmouth to dive Ningaloo Reef
Luxury
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Mid-range
Peoples Park
Budget
RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
Fish Rock Cave, New South Wales
Best place in Australia for cave diving
Highlights of diving Fish Rock Cave:
- Experience one of the world’s most incredible cave dive sites
- Encounter a huge colony of friendly grey nurse sharks
- Witness a plethora of marine life, including wobbegongs, moray eels and turtles
Hidden amidst the turbulent waters off the mid-north coast of New South Wales lies a small, rocky island that has long been heralded as one of the best dive sites in Australia.
Known as Fish Rock, this unassuming landmass is home to a remarkable underwater wonder – one of the only dive-able ocean caves in the country.
Dives here involve navigating a 125-metre underwater tunnel that opens up into the mesmerising expanse of Fish Rock Cave. This unique ecosystem has two distinct entrances, one shallow and spacious, the other deeper and more enclosed. Take your pick!
The cave itself is adorned with pink coral formations, adding to the fantastical ambiance.
Fish Rock Cave is particularly renowned for its robust population of protected, yet non-threatening, grey nurse sharks. Observing these is a highlight of any dive here!
Practical info for diving Fish Rock Cave:
When to dive Fish Rock Cave: Year-round
Water temperature: 18 to 26 °C (64 to 78°F)
Getting there: Fly to Port Macquarie or make the five-hour drive from Sydney
Where to stay in South West Rocks to dive Fish Rock Cave
Luxury
Spoondrift
Mid-range
Salt @ South West Rocks
Budget
Heritage Guesthouse
Lord Howe Island, New South Wales
Best place to uncrowded diving in Australia
Highlights of diving Lord Howe Island:
- Secluded dive sites with a limited number of visitors
- Encounter rare marine life such as Spanish dancers and Galapagos whales
- Witness the world’s tallest volcanic stack
Situated just a few hours by air from Sydney in the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Island is home to the world’s most southerly coral reef system.
This UNESCO World Heritage-listed marine ecosystem is influenced by the convergence of five major ocean currents. The result in an astounding array of over 90 coral species and more than 500 different fish.
With dozens of dive sites to explore, Lord Howe Island offers endless opportunities for scuba enthusiasts.
With the island strictly limiting the number of people at any given time to just 400, the diving here is uncrowded, to say the least. This carefully curated cap on tourism ensures that the island maintains a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, both on the land and beneath the water’s surface.
The waters surrounding Lord Howe Island provide an extraordinary opportunity to encounter a diverse array of marine life. Additionally, there are fascinating geological features such as sea caves, underwater trenches and towering rock formations.
Lucky divers may even spot the elusive and beautifully-coloured florid Spanish dancer sea slug or the harmless but impressive Galapagos whale shark.
Practical info for diving Lord Howe Island:
Best time to dive Lord Howe Island: September to May
Water temperature: 21° to 26°C (70° to 79°F)
Getting there: Fly from Sydney or Brisbane
Best places to stay on Lord Howe Island for divers
Luxury
Arajilla Retreat
Mid-range
Beachcomber Lodge
Budget
The Broken Banyan
Port Lincoln, South Australia
Best place for cage diving with great white sharks in Australia
Highlights of diving in Port Lincoln:
- Up-close encounters with great white sharks
- Watch Australian sea lions playing on the rocks
- Spot white breasted sea eagles hunting in the skies above
Scattered just off the coast of Port Lincoln are the Neptune Islands, which offer a thrilling diving experience for the adventurous at heart. These remote islands in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf are home to a variety marine life, including great white sharks.
While it’s generally advised to avoid diving in waters frequented by these apex predators, you can enjoy safe, up-close encounters near the town of Port Lincoln.
Here, two certified cage diving operators provide the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with great whites in their natural habitat. You’ll only have a thin (but sturdy) metal barrier separating you from their powerful teeth.
It takes a healthy dose of courage and a deep sense of wonder to take on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But the rewards are immense – the chance to observe these magnificent animals in their element, to study their every movement and behaviour and to develop a profound appreciation for one of the underwater world’s most fearsome predators.
Practical info for diving with great white sharks in Port Lincoln:
Best time to dive in Port Lincoln: Year-round
Water temperature: 14 to 22°C (57 to 71°F)
Getting there: Fly to Port Lincoln Airport
Best places to stay in Port Lincoln for cage diving with sharks
Luxury
Valley View Home
Mid-range
Port Lincoln Beachfront Apartments
Budget
Port Lincoln Shark Apartments
Yongala Wreck, Townsville, Queensland
Best place for wreck diving in Australia
Highlights of diving the Yongala Wreck:
- Explore one of the best wreck sites in the world
- Dive alongside minke and humpback whales
- A challenging deep dive destination
Located just off the coast of Townsville, the Yongala wreck is widely regarded as one of the best wreck dives in the world.
Sinking in 1911 after a devastating cyclone, the Yongala now rests at a depth of 33 metres (108 feet). Over the past century, its hulking steel frame and superstructure have become a thriving artificial reef.
Gorgonian sea fans sway gently in the current while giant groupers patrol the wreck, alongside graceful eagle rays that glide effortlessly through the water.
Schools of barracuda and trevally congregate in the wreck’s nooks and crannies, while curious sea turtles and sea snakes emerge from their hiding places.
If the timing is right, lucky divers may even catch a glimpse of the minke or humpback whales that visit the area during seasonal migrations.
With strong currents and a challenging depth, the Yongala is not for the faint of heart. You must have a least an Open Water certification to dive here.
Practical info for diving the Yongala Wreck in Townsville:
Best time to dive in Townsville: Year-round with the best visibility during the winter months
Water temperature: 24° to 29°C (75° to 84°F)
Getting there: Fly to Townsville Airport
Best places to stay in Townsville to dive the Yongala wreck
Luxury
The Ville Resort
Mid-range
Grand Hotel and Apartments
Budget
The Palmer Collective
FAQs about diving in Australia
Where is the best diving in Australia?
Australia offers some of the best diving experiences in the world, with the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef standing out as a must-visit destination. Beyond Queensland, Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef provides an incredible opportunity to swim with whale sharks while South Australia offers cage diving with great white sharks. Tasmania is a great place for cold water diving, with incredible kelp forests and encounters with sea lions.
When is the best time to dive the Great Barrier Reef?
The ideal time to dive the Great Barrier Reef is during the dry season, which typically runs from June to October. During these months, the weather is generally more stable, offering clearer waters and better visibility for diving. While the reef can be visited year-round, planning your trip during this period will ensure optimal diving conditions.
Do you need to be certified to dive in Australia?
In Australia, certification is generally required for scuba diving, especially if you plan to explore more advanced sites or participate in guided dives. While some operators may offer introductory experiences for beginners without certification, having a recognised diving qualification is recommended. This is not only for your safety but to enhance the overall diving experience.
It’s always a good idea to check with individual dive operators regarding their requirements before making your travel plans.
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About the authors
We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe. After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainably run surf camps, eco-friendly dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore. Despite the benefits that surf and dive tourism can bring to local communities, we recognised that ocean-based adventures are not always managed in a sustainable manner.
Through our articles, we hope to inspire those seeking a responsible surf or dive trip that is all about supporting local communities, preserving our coastal environments and the incredible marine species that inhabit our oceans.
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