December 15, 2022

Epic Snorkel & Dive Sites around Australia

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It’s officially summer! With the temps rising and the beaches calling our name, it’s time to hit the water and explore our oceans. We’ve curated an epic list of dive and snorkel sites that should be on everyone’s bucket list—whether you’re certified or an aspiring diver.

New South Wales:

Julian Rocks, Byron Bay – leopard sharks cruising around the reefs, while the cooler winter waters bring in the grey nurse sharks. During the annual humpback whale migration, you can often hear their songs in the distance.

Record your underwater experience hands free with a GoPro mask:

Queensland:

Little Barron Reef, Yeppoon – During the winter months in this region, divers have the opportunity to see the humpback whales that visit this protected area to use as a calving ground. The hard coral reefs are also home to a multitude of reef fish and loggerhead turtles

Fitzroy Reef, Great Keppel Island – the largest of 22 reefs that make up the Capricorn and Bunker groups in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. The reef here forms a ring around a large, deep lagoon that offers protection and anchorage points. The sloping reefs near the channel entry to the lagoon are packed with vibrant corals that are bursting with colour and teeming with life.

Briggs Reef, Cairns – Located between the larger Moore and Sudbury Reefs near Fitzroy Island, Briggs Reef has exceptional hard coral coverage despite its proximity to Cairns. The reef walls, drop offs and bommies display a vast diversity of coral species. Marine life highlights here include sea turtles and smaller reef sharks.

Kangaroo Reef, Bowen – East Kangaroo Reef sits inside a protected green zone offshore from the small seaside town of Bowen in the Whitsundays. The faster running current through the channel ensures a constant and fresh supply of water which keeps the surface temperatures well-mixed and cooler during summer, preventing coral bleaching. The plankton rich currents also attract a plethora of reef fish.

Wolf Rock, Double Island Point – located just off Double Island Point, Wolf Rock has long been considered one of the best dives in Australia. Keep an eye out for grey nurse sharks and manta rays which are spotted there year round, and in the summer months you may be joined by leopard sharks.

Snorkel for hours with a comfy Mask and Snorkel Set, available for kids and adults:

South Australia:

Rapid Bay, SA – one of the prettiest shore dives in Australia and a reliable place to see the rare and elusive leafy sea dragon. Soft corals, sponges, (pygmy) leatherjackets and cowfish are just a few of the impressive critters found at Rapid Bay Jetty.

Tasmania:

Tasman Peninsula, TAS – crystal clear water, and the marine interaction and observation opportunities here make it extremely worthwhile. Dive with fur seals, who are extremely curious creatures, very playful and a lot of fun to watch. Weedy sea dragons are also found here. Other highlights here include giant caves and sponge gardens for more advanced and deep divers.

Victoria:

Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula – a photographer’s dream, with an abundance of macro life. See different species of rays, as well as octopus, squid, giant cuttlefish and many more weird and wonderful critters. Dive in May or June to witness thousands of spider crabs gathering in the shallow waters as part of their annual migration.

**Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula** – Pat Whelen

A snug wetsuit keeps you warm during your underwater adventures in colder waters:

Western Australia:

Blizzard Ridge Lighthouse Bay, Ningaloo Reef is a large rim of coral and reef approx. 1km out from the lighthouse at Exmouth. Lots of caves, crevices and overhangs around the rim. You should see sharks, lionfish, rays and tropical reef fish. Dive with no less than the mighty whale shark too.