Whitsundays Scuba Diving Sites
The Whitsunday Islands offer some of the best scuba diving experiences in the world with the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep. The Great Barrier Reef is not just one of the seven wonders of the world it’s at the top of every scuba diving enthusiasts dive spot hit list.
Explore the rainbow world that lies beneath the surface in these warm, sparkling waters. If you’ve never dived before don’t worry as there are plenty of tour operators out there to teach beginners.
New divers can have their first diving experience with a qualified instructor in a number of places, including on a sailing trip, overnight boat, a Great Barrier Reef diving pontoon, or at one of the dive schools in Airlie Beach.
If you're wanting to get an Open Water or Advanced Open Water certificate by the end of your trip, you can now complete the theory online with PADI eLearning, so when you arrive at the Whitsundays you'll be ready to jump in for your first dive straight away. We have included some of the Whitsundays most popular dive sites below.
Whitsundays Dive Sites
Bait Reef and Garys Lagoon Dive Site
Located off Hamilton Island, Bait Reef is one of the most popular sites for divers at the Great Barrier Reef. A spectacular location, Gary's Lagoon is in a well protected area perfect for beginners and less experienced divers, but close enough to the action so the more experienced divers can delve into deeper waters just outside the entrance. See beautiful coral life and a variety of tropical marine life while scuba diving.
Caves and Canyons Dive Site
Situated on Hook Reef, the Caves and Canyons dive site is a 60 metre wall with a 60 metre shelf dotted with bommies, many of which haven't even been discovered yet! See the amazing coral gardens, tropical fish and perhaps some surprises along he way - a great dive site for those who love to explore.
Drop Zone Dive Site
For those wanting to experience drift diving then the Drop Zone is for you - drop into this dive site and let the current guide you through the soft corals, staghorn forests and resident turtles. This is a strong current though so make sure to watch out for pelagic activity.
Manta Ray Bay Dive Site
Considered to be one of the best dive sites within the in shore islands of the Whitsundays, Manta Ray Bay at Hook Island offers divers a variety of underwater valleys, caves and swim-throughs that lead all the way to the ocean floor 25 metres below. Manta Ray Bay has good coverage of both hard and soft corals and varied marine life including Manta Rays during winter. A good site for beginners.
Seaflight Bommie Dive Site
Seaflight Bommie Dive Site is a majestic coral-decorated bommie that sits in the Knuckle Reef Lagoon at Airlie Beach. This site offers you a diversity of coral and marine life to explore including many species of clams, hard and soft corals. It also offers excellent underwater landscapes great for micro photography.
The Aquarium Dive Site
Just off Airlie Beach on the Great Barrier Reef sits The Aquarium dive site, a beautiful lagoon perfect for divers at all experience levels to explore. At 16 metres deep, the lagoon provides a sandy bottom which allows for a light and bright dive. Perfect for anyone staying on the mainland.
The Hangover Dive Site
The Hangover dive site is a fun wall dive with exciting terrain to be explored. Find the larger fish varieties here including Giant Trevally, Barramundi and Mackeral.
Wally's Wall Dive Site
Another dive site situated off Airlie Beach, Wally's Wall is 45 minute wall dive with a gental slope. The site was named after the large male Humpheaded Maori Wrasse that populate the area and have been locals for many years and are comfortable in the presence of divers. View large coral gardens with staghorn and blue coral. At times of the year Wally's Wall can also be home to manta rays, eagle rays, turtles and deep sea sharks.
Wuggle Fish Wall Dive Site
An outer wall drop off with a current just off Airlie Beach, the Wuggle Fish Wall is another great drift dive site. The shallow coral garden appears untouched, with an abundance of marine life to see. Turtles and sharks are sighted frequently as well as a variety of pelagic fish.
For more information about the above dive sites, contact Tourism Whitsundays.
Phone: (07) 4945 3711
Website: http://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au
Camira Sailing Adventure through Whitsunday Islands
Discover the Whitsunday Islands on a sailing day trip from Port. You can swim in the turquoise water, soak up the salty sea air as you zoom across the water by high-speed catamaran and be wowed by the islands’ most famous natural sight, Whitehaven Beach. Lunch, snacks and refreshments are included throughout the day.
Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach Sailing Adventure
Sail through the Whitsunday Islands and explore magnificent Whitehaven Beach, voted one of the world's best beaches on this full-day sailing adventure from Airlie Beach.
Whitehaven Beach Cruise Including Hill Inlet Walk
Spend a full day exploring Whitehaven beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Whitsunday Islands. You’ll take a leisurely hike to Hill Inlet lookout where you get a famous view of Whitehaven beach! Snorkel away from the crowds, and have time to lounge on the beach or swim.
Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise to Reefworld
Do you want to experience a close encounter with the famous Great Barrier Reef, then this is it! Enjoy a cruise out to the reef, where you'll moor up next to Reefworld. From this innovative and spacious pontoon, you can snorkel and dive the tropical waters until your hearts content.
2-Night Sailing and Island Adventure
Go sailing, sunbathing and swimming in paradise on an idyllic two-night excursion to South Molle Adventure Island in the Whitsundays. Enjoy the ultimate thrill of a full day spent sailing on the Great Barrier Reef, with a stop at the world-famous white sands of Whitehaven Beach, and go snorkeling over corals with tropical fish.
2-Day Great Barrier Reef Reefsleep Experience
Experience the Great Barrier Reef for two days and one night. By day, enjoy all the activities on offer at Reefworld, a pontoon moored on one of the most spectacular areas of the Great Barrier Reef, including snorkeling, semi-sub rides and viewing parts of the world’s largest coral-reef system in an underwater chamber.
Whitsundays Scuba Dive Equipment & Tour Operators
Below you will see a list of companies that provide scuba diving equipment and services.
Aqua Dive
Shop 13, Abel Point Marina Airlie Beach
Phone: (07) 4946 4074
Website: http://www.aquadive.com.au
Island Dive
P.O Box 1122 Cannonvale
Phone: (07) 4946 4167
Mrs Snorkel
39 Sandpiper Cres Jubilee Pocket
Phone: 0438 317 667
Whitsunday Dive Adventures
PO Box 805 Airlie Beach
Phone: (07) 4948 1239
Yongala Dive
56 Narrah Street Alva Beach
Phone: (07) 4783 1519
Website: http://www.yongaladive.com.au
Whitsundays Dive Centre
Phone: +61 7 4948 1239
Website: http://www.whitsundaydivecentre.com
More Information
- Visit GreatestDiveSites for more about the dive sites in the Whitsundays.
