Australia Dive Locations

Australia’s dive locations are as diverse as the continent itself. From tropical coral reefs to temperate rocky reefs, islands and shipwrecks, the underwater landscapes and marine life change as you travel around the coast. Water temperatures, diving conditions and seasonal encounters vary too. At Dive in Australia, we provide practical advice, information and bookings to help you choose a destination and experience that suits your interests, diving experience and travel plans.

The Great Barrier Reef stretches along Queensland’s north-eastern coast, offering reef, island and wreck diving. Its marine life ranges from nudibranchs and small reef fish to turtles, sharks and impressive potato cod. Conditions vary between locations and seasons, so choosing where and when to visit is part of planning your trip.

New South Wales offers a mix of subtropical and temperate diving, with rocky reefs and marine life including weedy seadragons and giant Australian cuttlefish. These cuttlefish also occur across southern Australia. www.parks.sa.gov.au South Australia is known for Great White Shark cage diving, while Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia offers whale shark swimming and snorkelling alongside its reef diving experiences. www.australiascoralcoast.com

Explore our Australian dive destinations to discover what each region offers. Whether you’re learning to dive, planning a day trip, joining a liveaboard or travelling for a particular marine-life encounter, we can help you compare the options and plan your adventure.

Cairns (QLD)

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. This tropical port city is also home to World Heritage listed rainforest. These two, world class, natural attractions, make this vibrant coastal city a must visit for divers. Day trips, liveaboard trips and learn to dive courses. Do it all.

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Townsville (QLD)

Townsville is the administrative hub of North Queensland. It provides island and reef diving, as well as being the gateway to one of the world’s best wreck dives, the SS Yongala. This mighty wreck is a mind-blowing dive, showcasing some giants of the underwater world.

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Whitsundays (QLD)

The Whitsunday Islands off Airlie Beach are all about enjoying island time and relaxing. A popular sailing destination, you can book day tours and liveaboard dive trips on sail boats. There’s also learn to dive courses. Dive around the islands and/or at a reef pontoon.

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Byron Bay (NSW)

Byron Bay is on Australia’s surf coast and is a laid back beachside community. It’s also home to Julian Rocks, an amazing dive site which is best known for its population of sharks. We’re talking grey nurse, leopard, wobbegong sharks and more. Suitable for all divers.

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Sydney (NSW)

Diving might not be the first thing you think of when landing in Sydney, but trust me, there’s lots to see in this famous harbour. Highlights include giant cuttlefish, weedy sea dragons, gropers, sharks and more. Temperate water diving. Day trips and learn to dive courses.

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Port Lincoln (SA)

Step into one of the world’s ultimate shark diving experiences in the waters off Port Lincoln, home to thrilling encounters with great white sharks. These cage dives offer a rare chance to witness these apex predators up close in their natural habitat.

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Coral Bay (WA)

Australia’s whale shark diving capital. An annual migration of 300-500 whale sharks to these waters, make this one of the most reliable places on the planet to have an in-water whale shark experience. Other highlights include manta rays, Ningaloo Reef and much, much more.

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Exmouth (WA)

Still on the western coast, Exmouth is perhaps the most accessible coastal city providing divers with access to the migrating whale sharks and Ningaloo Reef. It’s also home to one of the world’s best land dives, the Exmouth Navy Pier. Worth a visit.

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