Why Dive in Queensland
With warm, clear waters, teeming with marine life, spectacular shipwrecks and the world’s largest coral reef, the entire Queensland coast is a snorkeller and scuba diver’s paradise and why we ask the question: “why would you dive anywhere else”?
SNORKELLING, SCUBA & TECHNICAL DIVING IN QUEENSLAND
Snorkelling, Scuba and Technical Diving in Queensland is the safest on the planet largely due to the high level of responsibility exhibited by dive operators and the existence of Queensland’s Government Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Code of Practice and the regulations set down by the Australian Maritime Safety Association (AMSA). This combination is not commonly found in other parts of the world.
Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling
For example, the Code provides practical guidance to dive operators on how to comply with their health and safety duties when providing recreational water activities, in particular recreational scuba diving, recreational technical diving and snorkelling.
Additionally, the Code has recommendations regarding fitness to dive. Some medical conditions are contrary to snorkelling and scuba diving, so to avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend that all those likely to undertake in-water activities in Queensland should first contact their dive professional and/or doctor to avoid the possibility of having their activities restricted.
To take part in scuba diving in Queensland, all participants must hold a recognised diver certification card or be involved in one of the training agencies ‘try diving’ / ‘resort courses’. Most Dive Queensland members offer a wide range training agency approved programs including specialty courses and instructor training.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling opportunities on the ‘world’s largest dive site’ is limitless whether it is from one of our live-aboards, day charter vessel, islands, resorts or just from our 13,350 ks (8,300 mls) of shoreline. You can encounter an unbelievable number of marine creatures from sharks and turtles to tiny nudibranchs – we have it all.
Night Diving
The adventure of a night dive can be one of the most exhilarating experiences you will ever have and most dive operators in Queensland offer both night diving and night diving specialty courses. Giant Trevally and harmless reef sharks will often be attracted to divers at night, while corals take on new forms and colours. The darkness also brings out nocturnal hunters like crabs, crayfish, octopus and all those macro photography subjects.
Sharks, Rays & Turtles
Shark, manta ray and turtle encounters in Queensland are amongst the best in the world. There are 133 different species of sharks and rays and six species of turtles in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park alone. While in the southern part of Queensland you find Grey Nurse shark aggregations and numerous other species of sharks and rays. Out in the Coral Sea shark feeding is permitted and live-aboards visiting the area run feeds at North Horn, on Osprey Reef where huge congregations white tips and the siting of silver tips, tigers and hammerheads can be experienced.
Coral Spawning
Coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef involves coral polyps simultaneously releasing tiny egg and sperm bundles into the water. Coral spawning is linked to the moon and water temperatures, so it’s hard to accurately predict when this mass reproduction will happen. However, each year around late October and November spectacular event takes place that attracts snorkellers and scuba divers from across the globe.
Tech Diving
Responding to every level of diving interest several Dive Queensland facilities cater to the more esoteric aspects of diving, offering programmes that range from oxygen enriched air (nitrox) training through to skilled and competent tuition in the use of mixed gas and rebreathers.
Whales
From June to September, the Minke and Humpback whales migrate up and down the Queensland coast. Whilst you may have a lucky encounter with both these whales during your dives, some of our members offer special whale encounter experiences. Whales often seek out the company of boats and come extremely close to people in the water. These experiences are open to both snorkellers and divers, although most of the human and whale interactions happen while snorkelling connected to a tie line running from the charter vessel. these magnificent creatures – up to 8m (25ft) in length – will often linger within a few feet of divers and snorkellers.
Wrecks
At the top of Cape York we have the wrecks of the Quetta, Pandora and HMAS Warrnambool. Out in the Coral Sea we have SS Atlas and MV Antonio Tarabocchia. South of Cairns at Mission Beach we have the Lady Bowen. Townsville, and nearby Alva Beach, are the departure points for diving the famous and historical wreck of the Yongala. Further south off Hervey Bay there is the wreck of ex-HMAS Tobruk. On the Sunshine Coast there is the wreck of the ex-HMAS Brisbane and on the gold Coast the wreck of the Scottish Prince. Our members in those areas run regular trips to these wrecks (weather permitting) and for those wishing to sharpen their skills and qualifications you can also enrol in a wreck diver specialty course.
Of course, you don’t have to be a snorkeller or scuba diver to witness the beauty of Queensland’s underwater world! Numerous day tours and Liveaboards cater for the non-diver, offering options including snorkelling, underwater viewing platforms and glass bottom boats. For the more adventurous you can take a hand-held scuba experience or even undertake scuba training.
Also remember that in the Far North of Queensland is the only place in the world where two World Heritage site come together – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree. Therefore some of our members offer visits to the rainforest through partnerships with land based tourism companies.