Snorkelling & Diving
Explore vibrant coral reefs, swim with marine giants, and discover underwater worlds
About Snorkelling & Diving
Australia is home to some of the most spectacular dive and snorkel sites on the planet. From the Great Barrier Reef — the largest living structure on Earth — to the pristine waters of Ningaloo Reef, the kelp forests of South Australia, and the crystal-clear bays of Lord Howe Island, Australia offers underwater experiences that are unmatched anywhere. Whether you are a certified diver or trying snorkelling for the first time, the sheer diversity of marine life and reef systems will take your breath away.
Quick Facts
- Great Barrier Reef: 2,300km long, visible from space
- Over 50,000 dive sites across Australia
- Water temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C
- Whale shark season: March–July (Ningaloo)
- Certifications: PADI, SSI courses widely available
Top Highlights
Great Barrier Reef
Dive or snorkel the world's largest coral reef system, home to 1,500 species of tropical fish, 400 types of coral, and six of the world's seven marine turtle species. Outer reef trips from Cairns and the Whitsundays offer exceptional visibility.
Ningaloo Reef
Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef is one of the few places on Earth where you can swim alongside whale sharks (March–July). This fringing reef is accessible directly from the shore, making it one of the most accessible reef systems in the world.
Lord Howe Island
This UNESCO World Heritage-listed island off the NSW coast boasts the world's southernmost coral reef. Crystal-clear waters, volcanic rock formations, and an abundance of endemic marine species make it a diver's paradise with strict visitor limits preserving its pristine condition.
South Australia Cage Diving
The Neptune Islands off Port Lincoln are one of the best places in the world for great white shark cage diving. Get face-to-face with these magnificent predators in crystal-clear Southern Ocean waters from purpose-built shark cages.
Great Barrier Reef Experiences
The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast, offering dive and snorkel experiences that range from beginner-friendly introductions to advanced deep-water dives. From Cairns, day trips to the outer reef take you to pristine coral gardens teeming with clownfish, parrotfish, and sea turtles. The Whitsunday Islands offer a different perspective, with sheltered bays perfect for snorkelling and the iconic Heart Reef viewable from scenic flights. Liveaboard dive trips lasting 2–7 days reach the most remote and pristine sections of the reef, including the legendary Cod Hole where you can hand-feed giant potato cod, and Osprey Reef where pelagic species patrol the deep walls.
Western Australia's Underwater Wonders
Ningaloo Reef on Western Australia's Coral Coast is the planet's largest fringing reef, stretching 300 kilometres and accessible right from the beach. Between March and July, whale sharks — the world's largest fish — gather here to feed on coral spawn, and swimming alongside these gentle giants is a bucket-list experience. From June to November, humpback whales pass through on their annual migration. Further south, the Rowley Shoals are three pristine coral atolls 300km off the Kimberley coast, offering world-class wall diving with 30-metre visibility and encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, and giant trevally.
Temperate Water Diving
Australia's southern coastline offers a completely different underwater landscape. The kelp forests of South Australia's Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula shelter leafy sea dragons — one of Australia's most extraordinary marine creatures found nowhere else on Earth. Tasmania's east coast features towering kelp forests, playful fur seals, and some of Australia's best wreck dives. Victoria's Port Phillip Bay is home to the famous Portsea Pier night dive, where weedy sea dragons, blue-ringed octopuses, and colourful nudibranchs emerge after dark.