Diving Great barrier reef

Things to do

Diving

Take the plunge

Head below the surface and into an underwater wonderland. Scuba diving gives you the chance to immerse yourself in the Great Barrier Reef in a more intimate way than snorkelling, getting up close to vibrant corals, complex reef systems and a huge variety of marine life.

Dive sites are sprinkled all along the coast of Tropical North Queensland, through the Great Barrier Reef and out into the Coral Sea. Hop aboard one of the many daily reef trips that depart from Port Douglas, Cairns and Mission Beach and discover some of the most spectacular diving destinations on the planet.

There is no such thing as an average scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef. Every dive is a journey into the unexpected. You might be greeted by a friendly 2m-long potato cod at the Cod Hole off Lizard Island, swim with turtles on the edge of the continental shelf or encounter sharks at North Horn in the Coral Sea.

You don’t need to be an experienced scuba diver, either. There are dives to suit every skill level, from introductory to Advanced Open Water certified experiences. If you’ve never tried scuba diving, the reef is the perfect place to learn. Sign up for a short course and get your dive certification from one of the many dive schools in Cairns. You will go home from your holiday with a brand new skill.

Serious divers might want to consider a liveaboard tour to renowned dive sites in the Coral Sea, including North Horn at Osprey Reef, Dungeons & Dragons at Bougainville Reef and Steve’s Bommie and Pixie Pinnacle, both on the Ribbon Reefs south of Lizard Island. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions and Spirit of Freedom both run specialised expeditions on their custom-built dive boats departing from Cairns.

Scuba diving at bucket-list dive sites like the Cod Hole near Lizard Island

Explore the tropical coral gardens at Agincourt Reef

Discover spectacular coral & marine life at Agincourt Reef

Where do I start?

Thinking of learning to scuba dive? Wondering what’s involved? Divers Den explain all there is to know about getting the PADI Open Water course. As a PADI Open Water diver you’ll be certified to dive anywhere in the world!

Take the plunge

No matter your skill level, there’s a dive adventure with your name on it.

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Diving Attractions

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