Diving the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Great Barrier Reef scuba diving features

Pinnacle dives

Dwarf minke whales

Harlequin tuskfish

TOP DIVE SITE
The Cod Hole

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef on the planet and for that reason alone, is on most people's diving wish list. There are 3000 individual reefs, 1500 species of fish, 400 corals and 4000 molluscs. Although you can dive all the way along this impressive natural structure, the Ribbon Reefs are perhaps the most popular and most dived. They wind down the Queensland coast, defining the outer edge of the continental shelf before it drops off into the deep water, Queensland trench.

The Ribbon Reefs are characterised by two styles of dive – gently sloping rim reefs and more dramatic pinnacle dives. These tend to be tall, thin rocks, like an inverted chimney, that soar from around 30 metres until they almost break the surface. There's usually a mass of snappers, large schools of jacks, tuna and mackerel swimming around them. Smaller creatures include shrimp in mushroom corals or anemones, whip coral gobies, nudibranchs, leaffish and the usual tropical fish.

The world-famous Cod Hole dive site is at the top of this area, and you are almost guaranteed to see these enormous and curious animals. In the winter months (June and July) dwarf minke whales are frequent visitors to the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel with them and – if you are really lucky – they may visit during a dive.

Seasons
Year round
Visibility:
5 metres to 40
Water temperature:
24 – 29º C.
Deco chambers: Brisbane, Townsvillle

Flights
to Brisbane and Cairns
Dive operators and accommodation options
Too many to mention

PROS AND CONS
Australia is a long way from almost everywhere so consider the distance and time needed to get over jet lag. If you go, go for three weeks and try to see some land attractions as well as diving. Cairns is the starting point for most Great Barrier Reef liveaboards but cosmopolitan Port Douglas is a prettier and more compact town if you want to stay on land. Both have dive operators, hotels and restaurants.

SCUBA DIVING
Despite it's size, many experienced divers are disappointed with diving the Great Barrier Reef. Although it is huge, it is not as prolific a marine environment as you will see in other nearby countries. However, if you enjoy learning all about the marine realm there are liveaboard cruises that focus on ecological or biology issues.

OPINION
We have dived the Great Barrier Reef many times and although we have enjoyed every trip, it will never be right at the top of our personal favourite as it is simply too crowded. However, it was well worth seeing and snorkelling with the dwarf minke whales so if we ever go again, that is what we will do. The liveaboard we travelled on to do that is no longer running but the manager of marineencounters.com.au is an old and well-trusted dive buddy.