The most incredible places to scuba dive in Australia

Where: Along the northeast coast of Australia from Bundaberg to Cape York.

It goes without saying, this iconic natural wonder is made up of some of the best of the best diving spots in the country, or even the world. Stretching more than 2,300 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef offers everything from shallow coral gardens for beginners to dramatic wall dives and coral towers for experienced marine explorers. Expect a colourful kaleidoscope of coral and marine life. With more than 100 dive sites accessible from holiday destinations like Cairns, Port Douglas and The Whitsundays, there are plenty of ways to experience this oceanic gem. Not to mention, it’s a bucket-list essential.

Difficulty: All levels.

Good for: Experiencing one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

More great things to do in Queensland. 

Where: On the northwest coast of Western Australia, near Exmouth. 

This UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonder is known for being the most ethical place on Earth for swimming with whale sharks (but you can actually only do that when snorkelling). However, when it comes to scuba diving down deep, you'll be met by some seriously glorious watery wonders too. From dancing with humpback whales on their seasonal run to swimming with manta rays, green turtles or hundreds of species of fish, you'll be dazzled by the incredible visibility and remote beauty of underwater Ningaloo. Plus, unlike most other places, the dive sites are located a short boat ride offshore.

Difficulty: All levels.

Good for: Cruising past whale sharks, rainbow coral formations, and incredible marine life. 

More great things to do in Exmouth.

Where: On the east coast of Tasmania, about two hours north of Hobart.

Bicheno is a tiny fishing town on Tasmania's east coast whose real claim to fame is its incredibly close access (just five minutes off the main boat ramp!) to one of the best dive sites in the world. Namely, the Governor Island Marine Reserve. This is a fully protected area that offers up perfect diving conditions year-round. From spectacular granite boulder systems and tunnels, to emerald kelp forests, jewel-coloured anemones and fluttery sea creatures, Bicheno is very special. The most special, however, is the aptly named 'Magic Garden', a 38-metre underwater wall that's coated in rainbow coral and that regularly has dolphins, seals and whales swimming through its cavernous internal tunnels. 

Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate.

Good for: Cool temperate water, diversity of underwater terrain and deep-sea wildlife that has to be seen to be believed.

More great things to do in Hobart. 

Where: On the southern end of the Eyre Peninsula.

Deep in the freezing waters of South Australia's Neptune Islands lies a diving experience like no other. While we'd say it's usually best practice to avoid great white shark-infested waters while diving, if you're hell-bent on donning scuba gear and getting up close to the biggest boss in the sea, Port Lincoln is the (only) place to safely do it. There are two certified cage shark diving companies that'll take you out at Port Lincoln, with this being the only location in Australia that will suspend you mere centimetres away from the ocean's toothiest predator. Bring your courage and a healthy dose of awe. 

Difficulty: All levels. 

Good for: Getting up close to Great White Sharks (in a cage, duh).

Where: Off the coast of Townsville. 

If you find yourself in Townsville in Tropical North Queensland and are craving a scuba dive that deviates from the beaten scuba track, you should pop this dreamy deep-sea art exhibition on your list. A two-hour boat ride from Townsville is an open ocean gallery built to spark conversations about Great Barrier Reef conservation. You'll dive amongst eerie, ethereal and humungous sculptures of people, otherworldly creatures and objects, learning about how we can look after our reef for the better along the way. Fun fact: This gallery is a Guinness World Record holder for the biggest underwater art structure in the world. 

Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. 

Good for: Scuba divers with an arty disposition.

More great things to do in Townsville. 

Where: Mid-north coast of NSW, near Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie. 

This tiny rocky outcrop in the rough waters of NSW's mid-north coast has appeared on 'world's best dive spot' lists for years – and for good reason. The only true ocean cave in Australia, it's known for being home to a huge number of protected (and harmless) grey nurse sharks. This intrepid dive takes you through a 125-metre underwater tunnel that ends up in Fish Cave, a Disney-level nautical wonderland teeming with an unbelievable whirlpool of hundreds of fish, sharks and turtles. Swimming amongst rainbow corals, you'll feel like you're in another dimension. 

Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced. 

Good for: Adrenaline junkies and everyone who wants to swim in a giant sea cave with a lot of gentle sharks. 

Where: Central Queensland coast, near Airlie Beach.

The Whitsundays are known for being bloody good-looking above water – but, it turns out they're pretty spectacular below too. There are plenty of vendors you can book with to dive in this pristine national park – and there are also plenty of diverse dive sites to choose from. From plummeting underwater cliffs and vertical reef walls teeming with rainbow life, to gigantic coral bommies, graceful manta rays and deep crevasses, there's something in The Whitsundays for everyone. 

Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. 

Good for: Divers into unexplored tropical islands, warm waters and a diverse array of underwater terrain and wildlife. 

More great things to do in The Whitsundays and Airlie Beach. 

Where: 600 kilometres east of Port Macquarie in the Tasman Sea.  

Lord Howe Island is an exclusive island paradise that only lets 400 lucky people sail to its verdant shores at any one time. This means ample serenity and solitude, both underwater and above. In the glassy waters around the island (some of the clearest in the world), you'll come face-to-face with rainbow coral, incredible marine life and an ethereal array of sea caves, deep trenches and staggering rock formations. Keep your eyes peeled for a sighting of rare florid Spanish dancers (sea slugs) and Galapagos whalers, harmless sharks that get up to two meters in length. 

Difficulty: Intermediate. 

Good for: Seclusion, rare marine life and gazing at the world's tallest volcanic stack in very clear water.

Where: About 65 kilometres from Port Douglas in northern Queensland.  

Located on the northern side of the Great Barrier Reef, Agincourt is accessible from both Cairns and Port Douglas. Perfect for beginner divers, this vivid reef is located on a continental shelf in the warm waters of Tropical North Queensland. This is a relaxed and shallow dive site that will make you feel like you're an extra in Finding Nemo (just without the harrowing bits). One particularly special feature is the 'Blue Wonder Wall', a vertical coral garden that drops a magical 40 meters down into the deep blue below.

Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. 

Good for: Novice scuba divers, technicoloured coral gardens and swimming with sea turtles and rainbow fish.

Where: Geographe Bay, about 2.5 hours south of Perth.

Extending almost two kilometres into the Indian Ocean, the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty is one of the longest timber piers in the world, and it hosts a forest of colourful marine life. This shallow, easy dive is home to more than 300 marine species, including soft corals, octopus, cuttlefish and schools of fish. The jetty creates a unique artificial reef, which is ideal for relaxed underwater exploration and underwater photography. 

Difficulty: Beginner.

Good for: Easy access and shallow reef life.

More great things to do in Busselton.

Where: Off the coast of Ayr and Townsville in the Great Barrier Reef, North Queensland.

Back in 1911, this 110-metre passenger ship tragically sank in a cyclone. It was discovered almost 50 years later and is now regarded as one of the best shipwreck dives in the world. Resting on the sandy sea floor, the ship is completely encrusted in coral and marine animals that have made it their home. Expect turtles, huge trevally fish, eagle rays, gigantic grouper fish, sea snakes and even bull sharks. The current can be strong and visibility varies, but the huge amount of marine life definitely makes it worthwhile. 

Difficulty: Intermediate.

Good for: Massive marine life and world-class wreck diving.

More great things to do in Townsville. 

Where: About 300 kilometres west of Broome.

For the ultra-adventurous among us, Rowley Shoals is one of the most remote and untouched dive destinations in Australia. Lying south of the Timor Sea, these three coral atolls rise from deep ocean trenches. Here, divers will discover dramatic drop-offs, lagoons and channels filled with pristine corals, plentiful fish and occasional hammerhead sharks. Due to its isolated location, this reef offers no crowds, incredible visibility and a fascinating variety of marine life. 

Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced.

Good for: Remote liveaboard diving trips and spectacular sights during dives.

More great things to do in Broome.

Where: 80 kilometres northeast of Bundaberg, at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.

This tiny island is actually what’s known as a ‘coral cay’, a sandy formation on top of a coral reef. It’s known for its astonishing water clarity and abundant marine life. As the island’s surrounding reef sits within a no-fishing zone, it’s absolutely teeming with life. Divers can see manta rays, turtles and reef sharks, as well as vibrant reef fish just metres from the shore. With gentle currents and sandy entry points, it’s ideal for beginners, but deeper drift dives and seasonal manta ray gatherings keep experienced divers coming back. Plus, it’s one of the few spots on the reef where you can stay overnight and walk straight into the water from the beach.

Difficulty: All levels.

Good for: Crystal-clear water and beach-entry reef diving.