What do you first imagine when you think of Australia’s East Coast? White sandy beaches sandwiched between turquoise waters and green landscapes? Or the beating sun and thrilling water sports?  If you’re a fellow scuba diver who loves liveaboard dive holidays as much as us you’ll think of breathtaking scuba diving in Cairns!

Claiming that scuba diving the Coral Sea is the best in the world is a big statement, but this postcard region really is the crown jewel of scuba diving. On the outer edges of the world-heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea offers everything from giant cod fish, sharks, whales, manta rays and turtles to spectacular coral formations and exciting 1,000m drop-offs.

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An unforgettable and mesmerising experience

The Coral Sea has some of the healthiest and most well-preserved coral reefs swarming with life and providing stunning underwater landscapes to explore. Rich corals create a supernatural setting for scuba divers and experts estimate that the Land Down Under is home to 16%-20% of the earth’s coral reefs.  

Not to mention the Coral Sea is home to a vast array of marine species. Because of its location on the outer reaches of the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea dive sites’ remote and relatively untouched nature has preserved numerous rare and endemic species – literally a hotbed for marine biodiversity.

You can find 600 types of corals, over 100 species of jellyfish and 3000 sorts of molluscs. It doesn’t stop there. There’s also 500 species of worms waiting to be discovered, 1625 types of fish and 30 different dolphins, sharks and whales.

A Cairns liveaboard diving holiday to the Coral Sea offers an unforgettable and mesmerising experience.

I’M READY TO GO

Top-class scuba diving sites

The Coral Sea offers world class liveaboard diving expeditions and its dive sites cater to scuba divers of all experience levels. If you are a beginner to scuba diving, you can venture through the shallow reefs, while experienced divers swim the deeper walls and pinnacles. These natural wonders challenge even the most seasoned divers.

Popular sites include Osprey Reef, Bougainville, Holmes Reef, the Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs. But if you wish to find unique territory for shark diving in Australia, check out North Horn.

Scuba Diving Shipwrecks

If all that wasn’t enough, the Coral Sea offers opportunities for wreck diving for those adventure junkies amongst us. Scuba diving the SS Yongala provides an eerie and captivating experience. Built by the English in 1903, it is now an historic wreck covered in coral sea marine life at a depth of 29 metres. The ship sank in 1911 during a storm and was not rediscovered until 1958.

Seasonal Highlights for Scuba Diving Coral Sea

The Coral Sea is a year-round destination due to the region’s warm desert climate. February, during the wet season, is the hottest month when temperatures can reach up to 30°C and July is the coldest with an average temperature of 17°C.

Specific periods offer a unique experience. Between June and November, you can witness the awe-inspiring migration of minke and humpback whales as they travel through the area. 

If you visit in November and if you are very lucky you could witness the annual coral spawning, depending on timing of the full moon, tides and water temperature. But certainly a sight to behold for those lucky enough to be there at the right time! 

Remote and Unspoilt

The best part about choosing a liveaboard dive holiday in the remote and unspoilt Coral Sea for your next scuba diving adventure holiday is that after a day immersed in the underwater wonderland, you can enjoy comfy accommodation and delicious meals onboard.

Time to stop Coral Sea dreaming – check out our available dates and charge up your underwater camera in preparation for some once-in-a-lifetime photographic opportunities.

And if you have any questions feel free to ask our Coral Sea scuba diving expert, Steve, get in touch today.