Diving in Australia

Dive Into Australia – The Best Underwater Adventures

Australia is a land of spectacular wildlife encounters – and the magic continues beneath the waves. From the world-famous Great Barrier Reef to remote coral atolls, historic wrecks, and rare marine creatures found nowhere else on Earth, the country is a diver’s dream. Here you’ll find whale shark capitals, legendary wreck dives, and unique shore dives where you can meet the whimsical leafy seadragon.

These are Australia’s must-dive destinations.

1. The Great Barrier Reef & The Whitsundays – Queensland

The largest coral reef system on the planet, the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef is a living masterpiece. Home to more than 1,500 fish species, 134 types of sharks and rays, six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, and over 30 marine mammals, it offers a kaleidoscope of life. Cairns and Port Douglas are ideal starting points for liveaboard trips or day dives. Nearby, the Whitsunday Islands combine idyllic beaches with vibrant reefs and plankton-rich waters that attract manta rays and other pelagic species.

2. Ningaloo Reef – Western Australia

One of the world’s best places to swim with whale sharks, Ningaloo is a UNESCO World Heritage Marine Park that teems with marine life. Between March and August, these gentle giants cruise through the warm waters, while from June to November humpback whales pass by. Divers may also encounter manta rays, dugongs, dolphins, and nesting turtles along pristine beaches and coral gardens.

3. Townsville – SS Yongala & Museum of Underwater Art

Off the coast of Townsville lies the SS Yongala, consistently ranked among the world’s best wreck dives. This historic vessel is now an oasis for sea snakes, groupers, rays, and schools of tropical fish. A short distance away, the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) invites divers to explore installations like the Guinness World Record-holding Coral Greenhouse – an innovative blend of art, marine conservation, and diving adventure.

4. Lord Howe Island – New South Wales

Accessible by plane, this remote crescent-shaped island is a pristine marine paradise. Dive in the sheltered lagoon for gentle coral reef encounters, or venture to Relict Reef for prehistoric-style underwater landscapes. With hundreds of dive sites, crystal-clear waters, and an abundance of marine species, Lord Howe offers something unforgettable for divers of all levels.

5. Rowley Shoals – Western Australia

For the ultimate remote dive, head 300 km west of Broome to Rowley Shoals Marine Park. Comprising three coral atolls on the edge of the continental shelf, this destination offers walls, gardens, and lagoons with incredible clarity. The September–December season brings sightings of whales, marlin, sailfish, manta rays, and dolphins – a true bucket-list location for experienced divers.

6. Flinders Pier – Victoria

Shallow, easy, and utterly unique, Flinders Pier is world-renowned for its resident weedy seadragons. Featured in BBC’s Blue Planet II, this dive site also harbours rays, pipefish, swell sharks, and nudibranchs. Keep watch – you might spot seals, penguins, or giant cuttlefish gliding through the sea grass.

7. Rapid Bay Jetty – South Australia

Just 90 minutes from Adelaide, Rapid Bay Jetty is one of Australia’s finest shore dives. Suitable year-round for all skill levels, it’s a reliable site to find leafy seadragons in a backdrop of colourful sponges and soft corals. Other visitors may include bull rays, leatherjackets, cowfish, and pufferfish.

Craft Your Perfect Dive Holiday with Absolute Australia

Whether you’re chasing whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef, exploring the coral gardens of the Whitsundays, or photographing leafy seadragons in southern waters, the professional team at Absolute Australia can design a personalised diving itinerary just for you. We’ll combine the country’s top dive sites with unforgettable above-water experiences, premium accommodation, and seamless travel arrangements – creating a diving holiday that’s as effortless as it is extraordinary.