Dive sites in Australia
Browse by region, city or dive type to find suitable locations for your experience level.
Regions
All dive sites
wallOsprey Reef - North Horn
Cairns · Coral Sea · Australia
The Coral Sea's premier shark dive, where dozens of grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and hammerheads patrol a remote oceanic wall 350 kilometres from the mainland.
caveChristmas Island - Thundercliff Cave
Flying Fish Cove · Indian Ocean Territories · Australia
A cathedral-sized sea cave on Australia's most remote island, where ethereal blue light filters through the entrance and whale sharks cruise the outer reef each winter.
reefClovelly Beach
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
A sheltered ocean pool and rocky reef shore dive in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs where blue gropers, wobbegong sharks, and octopus provide exceptional macro encounters within a protected aquatic reserve.
reefJulian Rocks
Byron Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Where tropical and temperate currents collide at a volcanic rock outcrop, drawing leopard sharks, manta rays, turtles, and grey nurse sharks to Byron Bay's marine park.
pinnacleLord Howe Island - Ball's Pyramid
Lord Howe Island · New South Wales · Australia
The world's tallest volcanic sea stack, where Galapagos-like marine life, endemic species, and crystal visibility create one of Australia's most exclusive dives.
reefMontague Island
Narooma · New South Wales · Australia
A temperate island reserve off the NSW south coast where grey nurse sharks, fur seals, and weedy sea dragons inhabit rich kelp forests.
Montague Island Grey Nurse Shark Gutters
Narooma · New South Wales · Australia
Surge channels and rocky gutters on Montague Island's western face where critically endangered grey nurse sharks aggregate in dense groups year-round, hovering motionless among boulders alongside wobbegong sharks and enormous bull rays.
reefNed's Beach
Lord Howe Island · New South Wales · Australia
A sheltered beach on Lord Howe Island's east coast where the world's southernmost coral reef meets a crystal-clear lagoon, and fearless endemic fish swarm snorkelers and divers in water shallow enough for beginners.
reefSolitary Islands Marine Park
Coffs Harbour · New South Wales · Australia
A marine park off Coffs Harbour where tropical and temperate ocean currents collide, creating one of Australia's most biodiverse underwater environments with an extraordinary mix of grey nurse sharks, manta rays, tropical fish, and temperate species.
reefCod Hole
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
A legendary Great Barrier Reef site where enormous, friendly potato cod approach divers for interaction on the pristine Ribbon Reefs.
reefGreat Barrier Reef (Outer Reef)
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
World's largest coral reef system. Outer reef sections from Cairns offer pristine coral and marine life.
wreckHMAS Brisbane Wreck
Mooloolaba · Queensland · Australia
Australia's premier artificial reef, a 133-metre guided-missile destroyer sitting upright on the seabed teeming with fish life just off the Sunshine Coast.
Hastings Reef
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
A sprawling outer reef platform on the Great Barrier Reef accessible as a day trip from Cairns, offering sheltered coral bommies teeming with giant clams, anemonefish, and pelagic visitors cruising the reef edge.
Ribbon Reefs - Steve's Bommie
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
A legendary coral pinnacle on Ribbon Reef No. 3, where dense soft corals, nudibranchs, and swirling fish schools create arguably the Great Barrier Reef's finest single dive.
wreckSS Yongala
Ayr · Queensland · Australia
Passenger ship sunk in 1911 cyclone. Intact hull encrusted with marine life. One of the world's top wreck dives.
open-waterPort Lincoln - Great White Shark Cage Diving
Port Lincoln · South Australia · Australia
Australia's only great white shark cage diving destination, where encounters with the ocean's apex predator occur in the Neptune Islands' crystal waters.
reefRapid Bay Jetty
Adelaide · South Australia · Australia
South Australia's legendary pier dive, where the elusive leafy sea dragon drifts among jetty pylons alongside giant cuttlefish and Port Jackson sharks.
Flinders Pier
Melbourne · Victoria · Australia
A heritage pier on the Mornington Peninsula renowned for weedy sea dragons, giant spider crabs, and spectacular night diving just 90 minutes from Melbourne.
Mornington Peninsula
Melbourne · Victoria · Australia
A temperate diving playground on Melbourne's doorstep where kelp forests, weedy seadragons, and Port Phillip Bay's unique marine ecosystem offer fascinating cold-water encounters including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.
reefBusselton Jetty
Busselton · Western Australia · Australia
The southern hemisphere's longest timber jetty extends nearly two kilometres into Geographe Bay, its pylons encrusted with a kaleidoscopic artificial reef of soft corals, sponges, and invertebrates that rivals tropical diversity.
reefCoral Bay Ningaloo South
Coral Bay · Western Australia · Australia
The southern section of Ningaloo Reef accessible directly from the shore at Coral Bay, offering pristine shallow coral gardens with manta rays, reef sharks, and turtles in a remote Western Australian outpost where the reef meets the beach.
wreckHMAS Perth Wreck
Albany · Western Australia · Australia
A scuttled Australian Navy destroyer escort in King George Sound, now a heritage-listed artificial reef colonised by massive sponge gardens and temperate fish.
Mettams Pool
Perth · Western Australia · Australia
A naturally sheltered rock pool and limestone reef in Perth's northern suburbs where gentle conditions, abundant temperate marine life, and easy shore entry create Western Australia's most popular beginner dive site.
Navy Pier
Exmouth · Western Australia · Australia
One of the world's top shore dives, where colossal groupers, octopuses, and whitetip reef sharks patrol the pylons of an active military pier.
reefNingaloo Reef - Whale Sharks
Exmouth · Western Australia · Australia
The world's most accessible whale shark encounter, where the planet's largest fish gather along a pristine 260-kilometre fringing reef each autumn.
Rowley Shoals
Broome · Western Australia · Australia
Three pristine coral atolls rising from deep ocean 300km off Broome, offering untouched coral gardens, dramatic walls, and powerful tidal channel dives.
Dive centers in Australia
Wings Diving Adventures
Airlie Beach · Queensland · Australia
The Whitsundays' top-rated dive operator offering daily small-group trips to island reefs and Great Barrier Reef sites from Airlie Beach.
Byron Bay Dive Centre
Byron Bay · New South Wales · Australia
The only dive centre in Byron Bay offering both SSI and PADI certifications. Boat dives and snorkelling trips to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve in Cape Byron Marine Park. Also known as Turtle School.
Sundive Byron Bay
Byron Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Byron Bay's only PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, established in 1988. Internationally recognized for excellence in diver training. Three daily boat trips to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve aboard custom rigid hull inflatable boats.
Cairns Dive Centre
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
PADI 5-Star Centre in central Cairns offering outer reef day trips, full course range, and on-site pool training facilities.
Deep Sea Divers Den
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
Cairns' longest-running PADI 5-Star IDC Centre since 1974, offering day trips and liveaboard expeditions to the outer Great Barrier Reef with on-site accommodation.
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
Iconic liveaboard operator since 1969 running Coral Sea expeditions to Osprey Reef, Cod Hole, and remote outer reef systems aboard the luxury vessel Spoilsport.
Passions of Paradise
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
Eco-certified sailing catamaran offering daily Great Barrier Reef trips with diving, snorkelling, and a focus on sustainable reef tourism since 1988.
Pro Dive Cairns
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
PADI 5-Star IDC Centre in Cairns offering multi-day liveaboard trips to the outer Great Barrier Reef with up to 11 dive sites per trip.
Spirit of Freedom
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
Premium 37-metre liveaboard operating Ribbon Reef and Coral Sea expeditions from Cairns, with complimentary nitrox and up to five dives daily.
Tusa Dive
Cairns · Queensland · Australia
Daily outer reef day trips from Cairns since 1984 visiting two reef sites per trip with guided diving, snorkelling, and introductory dives.
Jetty Dive Centre
Coffs Harbour · New South Wales · Australia
Family-owned PADI 5 Star IDC and Eco Centre with 30+ years in Coffs Harbour. Daily dive and snorkel charters to the Solitary Islands Marine Park aboard custom vessels MegaWild and 2Wild. Also offers whale watching and humpback whale swims.
Dive Lord Howe
Lord Howe Island · New South Wales · Australia
PADI 5 Star Dive Resort on Lord Howe Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The only dive boat surveyed to dive Ball's Pyramid. Custom-built MV Pinnacle caters for up to 12 divers. Open September to May.
Feet First Dive
Nelson Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Port Stephens pro dive shop offering PADI, SSI, and SDI training. Full-service centre with guided shore and boat dives, night dives, nitrox fills, private charters, snorkel tours, equipment sales and servicing.
Let's Go Adventures
Nelson Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Port Stephens' only PADI 5 Star IDC Centre and authorised TecRec facility. Nelson Bay's longest-established diving centre with two fully surveyed dive boats. Renowned for grey nurse shark encounters at Broughton Island.
Poseidon Outer Reef Cruises
Port Douglas · Queensland · Australia
Premium day trips from Port Douglas to three Agincourt Ribbon Reef sites with marine biologist on board, diving, and snorkelling for up to 60 guests.
Quicksilver Dive
Port Douglas · Queensland · Australia
North Queensland's largest reef operator with daily catamaran services from Port Douglas to a permanent platform at Agincourt Reef since 1979.
Wavelength Reef Cruises
Port Douglas · Queensland · Australia
Boutique small-group reef operator from Port Douglas with marine biologists on board, visiting exclusive Opal Reef and Tongue Reef sites for max 30 guests.
Fish Rock Dive Centre
South West Rocks · New South Wales · Australia
Australia's first PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort, operating since 1987. Home to Fish Rock Cave, Australia's only true ocean cave dive at 125 metres long. Daily double-dive charters on three fast purpose-built vessels. On-site accommodation and pool.
Abyss Scuba Diving
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
The only PADI Career Development Centre (CDC) in NSW and recipient of the PADI Platinum Dive Centre Award. Family-owned since 2000, offering world-class scuba training, guided shore and boat dives, freediving, and DPV rental.
Dive Centre Bondi
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
PADI 5 Star IDC Centre located minutes from Bondi Beach. One of Sydney's largest dive training facilities offering courses from Open Water to Instructor and Technical diving, with air, nitrox and trimix fills.
Dive Centre Manly
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Multi-award-winning PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre in Manly since 1993. Complete range of dive courses, guided boat and shore dives, and nitrox fills, just a short ferry ride from Sydney CBD.
Frog Dive
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
One of Sydney's oldest dive shops, established in 1985. PADI 5 Star IDC Centre offering courses from Open Water to Instructor, technical diving, freediving, spearfishing, and kids' programs with max 8 students per class.
Pro Dive Sydney - Alexandria
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Sydney's longest-running dive operator with over 55 years of experience. Offers learn-to-dive courses, advanced training, Divemaster and Instructor programs, weekly boat and shore dives, and gear servicing from their Alexandria location.
Pro Dive Sydney - Manly
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Pro Dive's Northern Beaches location in Brookvale, offering the full range of PADI courses, weekly double boat dives, shore dives at Shelly Beach and the Northern Beaches, nitrox, and gear servicing.
Southern Cross Divers
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Boutique dive centre at Spit Marina, Mosman, established in 1993. Specializes in advanced diving training with two dive boats, a pool for confined water training, and convenient access to Sydney Harbour wreck dives.
Adrenalin Dive
Townsville · Queensland · Australia
Townsville's gateway to the legendary SS Yongala wreck dive, consistently ranked among the world's top ten wreck dives, with full technical diving support.
Passions of Paradise - Great Barrier Reef Tours Cairns
1 Spence St · Queensland · Australia
Down Under Cruise & Dive - Evolution Outer Reef Cruise
1 Spence St · Queensland · Australia
Reef Encounter
Cairns City QLD 4870 · Queensland · Australia
Ocean Free & Ocean Freedom
1 Spence St · Queensland · Australia
Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard
Cairns City QLD 4870 · Queensland · Australia
Tusa Reef Tours - Cairns Half-Day Great Barrier Reef Tours
Cairns City QLD 4870 · Queensland · Australia
Coral Sea Dreaming Dive and Sail
Finger · Queensland · Australia
DiversWorld
Cairns City QLD 4870 · Queensland · Australia
Down Under Cruise And Dive
Parramatta Park QLD 4870 · Queensland · Australia
Reef Magic Cruises
1 Spence St · Queensland · Australia
Silversonic - Scuba Diving & Snorkelling
Port Douglas QLD 4877 · Queensland · Australia
ABC Reef Safaris
Port Douglas QLD 4877 · Queensland · Australia
Oceansports
Port Douglas QLD 4877 · Queensland · Australia
Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo
Exmouth WA 6707 · Western Australia · Australia
Ningaloo Reef Dive & Snorkel
8/46 Robinson St · Western Australia · Australia
Ningaloo Whaleshark-N-Dive
Exmouth WA 6707 · Western Australia · Australia
Ningaloo Blue Dive
Exmouth WA 6707 · Western Australia · Australia
PRO DIVE Sydney
St Peters NSW 2044 · New South Wales · Australia
Expedition Dive
Sydney NSW 2000 · New South Wales · Australia
Frog Dive Scuba Centres
Gladesville NSW 2111 · New South Wales · Australia
Adreno Ocean Outfitters
Alexandria NSW 2015 · New South Wales · Australia
Immersia Freediving
Bondi NSW 2026 · New South Wales · Australia
Infinity Dive
Chatswood NSW 2067 · New South Wales · Australia
Shark Dive Xtreme
Sydney NSW 2000 · New South Wales · Australia
Underwater Dive Services
Balmain NSW 2041 · New South Wales · Australia
Scuba Warehouse
Clyde NSW 2142 · New South Wales · Australia
Sydney Dive Charters
Rose Bay NSW 2029 · New South Wales · Australia
Sea Service Diving and Marine
Rozelle NSW 2039 · New South Wales · Australia
Dive Adventures
Sydney NSW 2000 · New South Wales · Australia
Adventure Freedivers
Cronulla NSW 2230 · New South Wales · Australia
Ocean Instinct Freediving
Brookvale NSW 2100 · New South Wales · Australia
Diving in Australia
Dive sites in Australia include wall, cave, reef, pinnacle, wreck, open-water, muck locations across Coral Sea, Indian Ocean Territories, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia. Each location includes depth, conditions and environment type to help you plan safely.
Use the region and city navigation above to narrow your search, or explore individual site pages for detailed conditions, entry type, skill requirements and nearby alternatives.
FAQ
How do I get to Osprey Reef for diving?
Osprey Reef is accessible only by liveaboard dive vessel from Cairns or Port Douglas. The journey takes approximately 12-14 hours, with most boats departing in the evening and arriving at the reef by dawn. Liveaboard trips typically range from 3 to 7 nights, with Osprey Reef combined with other Coral Sea reefs like Bougainville and Holmes Reefs, or with the northern Great Barrier Reef's Ribbon Reefs and Cod Hole. Major operators include Spirit of Freedom, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, and Spoilsport.
What is the shark feed dive at North Horn like?
The North Horn shark feed is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Australian diving. Divers descend to a ledge at around 20-25 metres on the reef promontory. A bin of fish scraps is lowered, and within minutes, grey reef sharks in groups of 20 to 40 converge on the area. Silvertip sharks, larger and bolder, push through the grey reef sharks for access. The action is intense but controlled, with experienced dive guides managing the feed. On exceptional days, hammerheads and even tiger sharks make appearances from the deep blue.
What certification and experience is needed for Osprey Reef?
Advanced Open Water certification is required for most dives at Osprey Reef, with many operators requesting a minimum of 50 logged dives. The site features strong currents, deep walls, and open blue water conditions that demand solid diving skills. The shark feed dive typically takes place at 20-25 metres, and wall dives can descend to 40 metres. Current experience and comfortable buoyancy control are essential. Most liveaboard operators also offer a pre-trip checkout dive on the Great Barrier Reef.
What is Thundercliff Cave like to dive?
Thundercliff Cave is one of Christmas Island's signature dive sites, consisting of two interconnected sea caves. The main chamber is entered at around 6 metres depth through a wide entrance that floods the interior with stunning blue light. The sandy floor descends to about 22 metres, and the cave is large enough that ambient light from the entrance illuminates most of the interior. A second, smaller cave connects to the first and offers a more enclosed atmosphere. No cave diving certification is required as the caves have large openings and clear exit routes.
When can I see whale sharks at Christmas Island?
Whale sharks visit Christmas Island's waters from approximately November to April, with peak sightings from December to March coinciding with the annual red crab spawning. As billions of red crab larvae wash into the sea, they create a massive plankton event that attracts whale sharks, manta rays, and other filter feeders. Christmas Island offers a less commercialised whale shark experience than Western Australia's Ningaloo, with fewer boats and divers in the water.