Queensland is an attractive coastal state of Australia. With beautiful cities like Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns; Queensland is also globally famous for the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef. Blessed with sun-drenched beaches, reefs and an abundance of marine species; queensland One of the best places to try water sports. scuba diving in queensland It is in high demand among both beginners and expert divers. Let’s explore all the famous places through this mini guide to diving in Queensland and enjoy the ultimate fun and excitement of this adventure.
About the Great Barrier Reef
Queensland, located on the east coast of mainland Australia; The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, home to an abundance of marine life. Spanning 2300 km, it is the largest living organism on Earth, visible from outer space and listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Along the entire Great Barrier Reef, there are many small reefs, wrecks and small islands that create some of the best diving spots not only in Queensland but throughout Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is home to abundant marine life such as coral, fish, turtles, dolphins, sharks and mollusks.
Top 12 Places for scuba diving in Queensland, Australia
Great Barrier Reef – The world’s largest coral reef is located off the Queensland coast. across the whole rock; There are lots of popular diving sites there. Experience scuba diving and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the underwater marine world.
- Wolf Rock Diving Center
- North Stradbroke Island
- SS Yongala Wreck
- Osprey Reef
- cod hole
- Heron Island
- Steve Bommy’s Ribbon Reef
- Lady Elliot Island
- fodder rock
- agincourt reef
- HMAS Brisbane
- Flinders Reef
1. Wolf Rock Diving Center
To enjoy the most thrilling and best scuba diving in Queensland; Find the Wolf Rock Diving Center located near the beautiful Rainbow Beach. Located at the top end of the Sunshine Coast, it is considered one of the best places to experience the most adventurous and adventurous diving. You’ll find abundance of gray nurse sharks, eagle rays, blue rays, wobbegong sharks, leopard sharks and giant Queensland grouper. This location is not suitable for beginners as the continental shelf is deeper than 18 meters and Wolf Rock Diving Center only offers PADI certified diving courses for professionals.
Place: 2 Gundy St, Rainbow Beach QLD 4581, Australia
Must read: 10 best Queensland beaches where you can enjoy ultimate bliss and soothing sunshine
2. North Stradbroke Island
Last but certainly not least is North Stradbroke Island. It is one of the few dive sites in Queensland that offers simultaneous surfing as well as diving. Popular dive sites such as Flat Rock, Shag Rock and Manta Bommi are famous for their populations of leopard sharks, manta rays and gray nurse sharks.
Place: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Read suggestions: The 10 best Queensland museums, art and culture every history lover must visit!
3. SS Yongala Wreck
image Source
The SS Yongala Wreck is an incredible place to try the best scuba diving in Queensland, Australia. In 1911, the ship Yongala sank at this location and currently the shipwreck is one of the most sought-after dive sites in the country. Home to a variety of marine creatures such as turtles, eagle rays, large pelagics, octopus, blue rays and a multitude of fishes; The SS Yongala Wreck makes your diving experience worthwhile in every aspect.
Place: Cape Bowling Green, Queensland, Australia
Read suggestions: Shopping in Queensland: 10 best places for fun and shopping lovers
4. Osprey Reef
Osprey Reef is located at the north-eastern tip of the Great Barrier. It is an underwater atoll in the Coral Sea that is famous for its huge shark population. oval in shape; Osprey Reef has a lagoon and a steep continental shelf to make diving truly adventurous. There is a high chance that you will see hammerhead sharks, white tip reef sharks and sting rays swimming around.
Place: Coral Sea, Queensland, Australia
5. Cod Hole
With clear blue and calm waters; Cod Hole is one of Queensland’s best diving sites. This place was discovered just 20 years ago by the famous underwater photographer; Valerie and Ron Taylor are now considered one of the must-do dive sites in australia, Located on Ribbon Reef, in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef, this spot is home to the diver-sized potato cod.
Place: Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia
Read suggestions: 10 Top Queensland National Parks for an Exciting Holiday Experience
6. Heron Island
It is a scenic spot in the Gladstone region of Queensland. Heron Island consists of 20 stunning dive sites and some of them are located right near the beach. Hence it is an ideal place for beginners who want to try scuba diving for the first time. Enjoy exciting dives and swim with blacktip reef sharks, manta rays and pelagic species.
Place: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia
7. Steve Bommey’s Ribbon Reef
Next on the list is Steve Bommey’s Ribbon Reef. Another location in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef, it starts at 33 meters and rises to 3 meters close to the surface. The calm water with low flow has made this place perfect for underwater photography. Have your cameras ready to capture hordes of pipefish, flatworms, anemone fish, reef sharks and bigeye trevally.
Place: Ribbon Reef, Queensland, Australia
Read suggestions: Summer in Queensland: See what makes it the best season to visit
8. Lady Elliot Island
Lady Elliot Island is located south of the Great Barrier Reef. With lots of dive sites, this island is special and popular for two main reasons. Firstly, its visibility is year-round, so diving takes place all year round. Secondly, the large colonies of manta rays at Lady Elliot Island increase your chances of seeing some of them.
Place: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
9. Bat Reef
image Source
Another name in the league of best scuba diving sites in Queensland is Bat Reef, located near Hamilton Island on the Sunshine Coast. With depths between 4-18 meters and visibility between 10-20 meters; Bat Reef is the most suitable option for novice divers. While diving one can see reef fish, turtles, large and soft corals and might be lucky enough to see manta rays too.
Place: Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia
Read suggestions: 10 Best Queensland Theme Parks To Spend A Fun Day Out With Your Loved Ones!
10. Agincourt Reef
Clear and high visibility, vibrant looking coral and hordes of fish will welcome you to Agincourt Reef. Located near Port Douglas, this place has 16 dive sites with swimming channels, caves and marine gardens. Some of the famous and spectacular dive sites at Agincourt Reef are Nursery Bommy where pelagic fishes gather for food and Blue Wonder – a 40 meter high diving wall.
Place: Port Douglas, Queensland 4877, Australia
11. HMAS Brisbane
HMAS is a decommissioned missile which sank near Mooloolaba in 2005. Since then, it has become one of the best artificial diving sites in Queensland. With colonies of yellowtail kingfish, octopus, turtles and eagle rays; It is one of the most spectacular and accessible wrecks not only in Queensland, Australia but in the world.
Place: Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Read suggestions: The 10 best Queensland villas that are perfect for your next holiday
12. Flinders Reef
Flinders Reef is an isolated reef located 5 kilometers from Moreton Island. Often called a hidden gem in lists of the best scuba diving locations in Queensland. The place is home to leopard sharks, tropical fish and mantas and is visited mostly by professional divers. Flinders Reef can be reached by ferry or boats from Brisbane.
Place: Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia
read ahead: 10 must-visit romantic places in Queensland to rekindle love in Australia!
Here is a list of the top places to experience the best scuba diving in Queensland. If you are an adventure lover and are keen to visit this ‘land of the kangaroos’, then experience all this fun and thrill at some of these diving spots. Plan a trip to Australia and enjoy marine exploration in Queensland.
Disclaimer: TourTravelHotels claims no credit for images displayed on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyright to its respected owners. We try to link to the original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TourTravelHotels, please Contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in giving due credit to the original author, artist or photographer.
please pay attention: Any information published by TourTravelHotels in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice of any kind, and one should not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of one’s choice.
FAQs about scuba diving in Queensland
Where is the best place to dive in the Great Barrier Reef?
Osprey Reef, Heron Island, Ribbon Reef are some of the best places to dive in the Great Barrier Reef.
When can you dive the Great Barrier Reef?
The best time to go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef is between June to October as the temperatures are warm and chances of rain are less.
Where is the best diving in Australia?
The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia are some of the best diving spots in Australia.
Can you die from scuba diving?
Yes, about 100 people die each year in North America from decompression sickness (DCS), arterial air embolism, and of course, drowning.
Can you scuba dive without getting certified?
No, because scuba diving involves the risk of drowning and artery compression. Therefore it is important to receive training from a professional diver before making the jump.
Are you looking to book an international honeymoon?
Book a memorable honeymoon on TourTravelHotels with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.