33 Best Places to Go Scuba Diving in Australia
Australia is a haven for some of the best scuba diving in the world.
This beautiful part of the planet not only holds the Great Barrier Reef but is also home to giant kelp forests, unique shipwrecks and a stunning diversity of vibrant marine and coral life.
Divers in Australia, can expect to see some of the most unique aquatic species in the world such as:
- schools of silvery reef patrollers
- bright tropical fish and
- large ocean turtle species.
The luckiest of divers may even run into elusive shark or whale species.
In this article, I’m going to share some of the best places for scuba diving in Australia.
The Best Places for Scuba Diving in Australia
There are hundreds of great scuba diving locations all over Australia.
Below, we have listed some of the best scuba diving locations by state to help you find perfect dive site locations for your experience level.
Scuba Diving in Queensland
Home to the mighty UNESCO world heritage site of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland is the heart of dive culture in Australia.
It’s coastline is peppered with shipwrecks, rocky marine wonders, and wildlife-rich reefs.
Some of the best dive sites in QLD include:
- Cairns
- Gold Coast
- Port Douglas
- Whitsundays
- Airlie Beach
- The wreck of the SS Yongala
- And of course, the Great Barrier Reef
Scuba Diving in Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is another great place to go scuba diving in Australia.
NT is popular with many divers because of its diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs.
It also has a host of great dive sites that are located close to the coastline with easy access.
Some of the best dive sites in NT include:
- Vernon Islands just north of Darwin
- Melville Island
- The Bathurst and Wessel Islands
- Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria
Scuba Diving in New South Wales
New South Wales has an amazing selection of dive sites that can be visited all year round.
It has the perfect combination of cold and warm water currents flowing through the area, from the tropical seas at Byron Bay to the diverse marine life to the south.
There is truly something amazing for every level of diver in NSW.
Some of the best dive sites in NSW include:
- Byron Bay
- Jervis Bay
- Coffs Harbour
- Nelson Bay
- Lord Howe Island
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Scuba Diving in Victoria
Victoria has a surprisingly wide range of diving hotspots that are great for all levels of divers.
Some of the most amazing dive sites in Victoria are manmade and most definitely worth exploring.
Some of the best dive sites in Melbourne include:
- Melbourne
- Blairgowrie Pier
- The Arches Marine Sanctuary
- HMAS Canberra
Scuba Diving in South Australia
With many different shipwrecks off the coast of South Australia, the state offers a wide range of fascinating dive sites for beginners.
They can be found in many areas including near-city locations in Port Adelaide, to as far-flung regional hot spots like the Kangaroo Island.
Some of the best dive sites in SA include:
- Adelaide’s Underwater Heritage Trail
- Aldinga Pinnacles Dive Site
- Whyalla on the Eyre Peninsula
- HMAS Hobart
Scuba Diving in Western Australia
Western Australia has some of the best reef and wreck sites in the world. They cater for all levels of diving enthusiasts.
If you’re after a one-of-a-kind deep-sea experience, there are plenty of sites in Western Australia to pick from.
Some of the best dive sites in WA include:
- Perth
- Ningaloo Reef (and get to swim with Whale Sharks)
- Exmouth Navy Pier
- Christmas Island
- Rowley Shoals
Scuba Diving in Tasmania
Despite what many assume, Tasmania actually has a lot to offer when it comes to scuba diving in Australia.
Similar to it’s northern counterparts, Tasmania boasts pristine waters and abundant marine life. With more than 350 outer islands off the mainland there is more than 45,000 hectares of marine reserves.
On these smaller islands you can also see Migratory Right and Humpback whales .
Some of the best dive sites in Tasmania include:
- The East Coast
- Maria Island and Orford
- Bruny Island
- Rocky Cape National Park
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In Summary
So there you have it….
The Best Places to go Scuba Diving in Australia
In this article, we highlighted some of the top locations for scuba diving locations in the following Australian states:
- Queensland
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Tasmania
- Western Australia
- South Australia
- Northern Territory
