Where are the best dive sites in Australia?

[Bikehike11]

I am traveling to Australia in next 2months with my friends for adventure. Can any one suggest me which are best diving sites in Australia ?

Thanks
Paul

 

[simongr]

It depends what you want to see and what your level of experience is. Obviously there is the barrier reef but useful if you are planning to travel to that area. In NSW they just sank an old navy ship that I am looking forwards to diving. I also have loved diving in Sydney harbor - not the most amazing things to see but awesome to pop your head up at the end of a dive and see the Opera House and bridge in the distance.

Where are you planning on visiting?

 

[dfcatch]

Paul,

Do you want tropical or temperate water? Do you want easy vacation diving?

QLD:

Obviously there's the GBR, dive from Cairns, don't bother with the Whitsundays. If you have the time and the budget, try and dive the northern Ribbon Reefs and get out to Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. Well worth every penny if you can stretch for it.

Just south of Townsville is a small town called Ayr - dive the Yongala - definitely a Top 10 wreck dive in the world. Just amazing.

Sunshine coast has the ex HMAS Brisbane.

NSW - fish rock cave.

VIC - Great diving from Portsea / Queenscliff. Nice easy - moderate dive sites inside the bay, moderate to challenging sites outside the heads (weather permitting). The J class submarines are great if conditions allow. Also has the ex HMAS Canberra.

TAS:

Some amazing diving including kelp forests, caves, underwater granite cliffs, the Nord wreck are all accessible from the Tasman peninsula (near Port Arthur).

SA:

Ex HMAS Hobart (watch out for certain big fish in the area though).

Cage diving (if you DO want to see said big fish).

Cave diving around Mt Gambier if suitably qualified (not to be taken lightly, as you will not be allowed to dive without appropriate qualifications, and you'll probably die if you ignore safety rules).

WA:

Ningaloo Reef. Although many find the whale shark spotting to be over the top.

I won't post commercial content - but feel free to PM if you want some suggestions on who to contact for further info in various areas.

 

[globalexplorer]

Flying Fishing cove at Christmas Island is incredible and apparently rated one of the best dive sites in the world. Only problem is it is obviously not on mainland Australia and accommodation can be tough given the number of federal government employees now working there. Having said that, if you can get there it is well worth it and caters for snorkelling through to diving.

 

[blu]

See some of the scuba diving at Ningaloo reef on Youtube, here's one that shows the variety of marine life:
Exmouth Underwater - Ningaloo Reef - YouTube

 

[nzdiver]

Pretty much anywhere on the coast of Australia is pretty close to excellent diving.
I live in Sydney and there are some awesome dives within driving distance - Bare Island, Kurnell (excellent chance of seeing seadragons), Forster, Jervis Bay.
I'm diving the Yongala again this weekend - amazing dive.
This isn't the best forum for finding divesites though. Check out scubaboard and diveoz

 

[UP4014]

I know a few dives, mainly from my youth. :mrgreen: