News
The best dive spots in Australia
Australia has some of the most widely acclaimed top diving spots on the planet. This is partly due to the stunning and diverse underwater habitats available in this country. Whether it is a coral reef, old shipwreck, or underwater cave, you will see amazing sea life and uncommon aquatic plants and animal species. Here are some of the best places to dive and explore life under the sea in Australia:
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, located in South Australia, offers cool waters and is the home of the leafy sea dragon. Other creatures found here include a variety of sponges (white, orange and red), diverse kinds of fish such as boar fish, coral fish, harlequins, and blue devils. This is also one of the very few places where you can find a combination of fur seals from New Zealand and the Australian sea lion. The sea lions are extremely playful, friendly and entertaining underwater creatures. Bear in mind that the leafy sea dragon is quite shy, so you should not move too close to it if you want to enjoy its colourful displays.
Photo: Tungkyhandoko
Byron Bay
At Byron Bay, the cooler waters of the south meet with warm tropical water from the northern part of the country. There are two small islands encompassed by a marine park called Julian Rocks. At Julian Rocks, new divers can learn the basics of diving while the more experienced divers practice their diving skills. Beneath the water, you will see wobbegong sharks, humpbacks, grey nurses and leopard sharks. You will also see may colourful sponges and corals as well as manta rays, sea stars and turtles. To see the leopard sharks, you should come here in mid-summer and you can also see whales during their annual migration from May to September.
Ningaloo Reef
Australia’s largest fringing reef – Ningaloo Reef – is located on the West Coast of the country. This beautiful coral reef stretches for more than 250 kilometres along Northwest Cape. One of the most popular inhabitants of this reef is the whale shark – the world’s biggest fish, which can grow up to 18 metres in length. In addition, you may also see hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, manta rays and humpback whales. To see the whale sharks, you should endeavour to come here between March and June when they draw close to the reef in search of food.
Photo: Shek Graham
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in Australia and indeed the entire world. Renowned as the world’s largest reef system (even visible from outer space), this expansive system has several popular dive spots including Lizard Island in the northern part and Heron Island and Osprey Reef in the south. If you dive at Cod Hole on Lizard Island, where beginners love to dive, you can see white tip reef sharks, giant clams, potato cods, feather stars and manta rays.
Off the coast of Heron Island in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, you may take a brief ride from the jetty and gain access to about 30 popular dive spots including the Blue Pools, Heron Bommie and the Coral Cascades. Underneath the water, you will have a chance to see some stunning coral banks, tunnels and overhangs as well as turtles, octopus, moray eels, parrot fish and wobbegong sharks.
Yongala Shipwreck
The SS Yongala was caught up in a cyclone over a century ago in 1911. Over 120 people died on the shipwreck at that time. But today, this shipwreck has become one of the most popular diving spots on earth. Located about 90 kilometres south of Townsville, you can see how bustling marine life has transformed this shipwreck into a unique habitat for various species of aquatic plants and animals. For instance, you will see extremely bright coral species, many snakes, eels, clown fish, sharks, turtles, and potato cod. In the winter months, you can spot humpback whales and manta rays while in summer you will see a large school of bait fish. Virtually every diver who comes here wants to return to explore this amazing dive site again.
Photo: Chris Davey
Conclusion
These are just a few of the unique dive spots in Australia. All around the continent from the north to the east to the south to the west and then up north again, you can never run out of amazing diving spots.
Marine Life & Conservation
Steve Backshall to headline Shark Trust’s flagship event: For the Love of Sharks
Join a host of amazing, shark loving, speakers including Steve Backshall and the Shark Trust team for an evening celebrating shark conservation at the Royal Geographical Society in London this November.
Date: 29th November 2024
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Royal Geographical Society, London
Tickets: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The event will be a celebration of all things shark. Those lucky enough to get hold of tickets will hear from engaging guest speakers with a passion for sharks.
The line-up includes (*subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise)
Steve Backshall: One of television’s busiest presenters, BAFTA award-winning wildlife expert Steve has been passionate about the wild world ever since he was young.
Steve’s impressive TV career has taken him all around the world, investigating a wide array of species and environments. Steve has filmed over 100 hours of children’s wildlife programmes with the BAFTA award winning Deadly 60 franchise and recently, with Sky Nature, for his new series ‘Whale with Steve Backshall’. He has been a patron for the Shark Trust for 10 years.
Simon Rogerson: is a photojournalist specialising in natural history, diving and the sea.
He is editor of SCUBA magazine, the official journal of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Simon started his career as a crime reporter but gravitated towards his ‘less depressing’ interest in underwater exploration, joining the staff of DIVE magazine in 1999. In 2005 he was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the PPA’s Independent Publishing Awards. Simon also works as a freelance writer, contributing frequently to the Sunday Times and Telegraph, in addition to BBC Wildlife, Esquire, and a host of international diving magazines. He is the author of a book, Dive Red Sea, published by Ultimate Sports. Now based in Berkshire, Simon has been a Patron of the Shark Trust for 20 years.
More speakers to be announced soon. Head to the Shark Trust website to learn more.
The evening will also allow guests the final chance to see the Oceanic 31, shark art exhibition. Some of the artwork will be auctioned/raffled at the event, while the rest will be auctioned online to raise money for the Shark Trust Oceanic Programme.
For the Love of Sharks is an evening with something for everyone who is interested and fascinated by sharks. Join the Shark Trust, their Patrons, Trustees and Staff, along with a host of supporters for this celebration of shark conservation.
For more information or to buy a ticket: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
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