Millions of tourists flock to Australia every year and it’s not hard to see why. From the warm weather and stunning beaches to vibrant cities and awesome natural landscapes, it’s a dream destination for many travellers. It’s also great for scuba diving, boasting some of the most incredible diving locations in the world.
Australia is home to the famous Great Barrier Reef, which has been attracting divers for many years. Whether you’ve done it before or you’re a complete beginner, there’s no better place to explore the ocean than Australia. Here are some of our favorite diving destinations.
Lord Howe Island
Lord Howe Island in New South Wales is one of the most southerly diving spots in Australia. It’s located at the meeting point of five ocean currents, meaning that it’s a place brimming with oceanic diversity.
You’ll find temperate, sub-tropical and tropical fish all in one place – and there are over 500 species here for you to discover! It boasts 60 diving sites, including Balls Pyramid, where you can swim with dolphins in their natural environment.
Neptune Islands
Another great diving location is the Neptune Islands. Found just off of the coast of South Australia, these islands are famed for their great white sharks. Beginners can get up close and personal with these beasts of the sea from a cage; but it’s a different story if you’re a trained diver.
You’ll be able to dive all the way to the ocean floor and take in the scenery from a completely different angle. Don’t worry about the sharks feeling a bit peckish, you’re going to be well looked after and completely safe!
Ningaloo Reef
The state of Western Australia is home to the Ningaloo Reef. This stunning 300km long reef is the largest reef in the world that is found so close to a main land mass – so it’s easy to get to. There are hundreds of species of coral to be found here, with even more different species of fish.
Manta rays, turtles and sharks all call this reef home, so you’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re keen to spot some of the local marine life.
Tasman Peninsula
One of our favorite things to do is dive around Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula. Here you’ll be able to find giant kelp forests that stretch down to the deepest parts of the water, awe-inspiring caves at Waterfall Bay and even spot some cute sea creatures! Yes, this is the perfect place for seal spotting; with both New Zealand and Australian fur seals to be found. The waters are pretty cool, so we recommend diving here between November and March.
Dive in to all that Australia has to offer
So there you have it, our top picks of all the diving sites that Australia has to offer. Of course, there are so many more out there, so why not discover them for yourself?
Diving offers you the chance to see our planet from a completely different perspective, taking in sights and sounds that you just don’t get on land. Whether you go for one of our favourites or discover another magical location, we can guarantee that you’ll want to do it time and time again!
Jeffrey Glenn is the Founder of one of Thailand’s most sort after professional Dive Training Resorts – Go Pro Asia. Jeffrey is a PADI Course Director and Technical Diving Instructor Trainer and has over 20 years’ experience in the dive industry.
