The best diving and snorkeling in Australia

Whether you’re the type to throw on a tank and go deep, or prefer pottering along the surface with a snorkel, Australia is undeniably gracious when it comes to underwater life and color. Here are the best places to dive in and get wet down under.

1. The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the best places on Earth to go diving and snorkeling.

While climate change has stressed the ecosystem, as it has in many parts of the world, this underwater beauty is resilient and extensive rehabilitation programs are helping ensure the reef’s health – and in turn, its beauty – is maintained. And given the reef covers a whopping 2300km, there are plenty of sites to glide through a kaleidoscope of color and seek out Nemo.

Aerial view of the coral formations of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by clear blue water. — Find the right spot for you along the awesome expanse of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Edward Haylan / Shutterstock

Off the coast of Port Douglas, visit Low Isles – a four-acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef – or head further south down the Queensland coast to the Whitsundays, where 74 white-sand islands are surrounded by brilliant turquoise water.

Alternatively, head to Green Island (off Cairns) to find a rainforest in the middle of the reef (if that doesn’t say tropical paradise, we’re not sure what does) or Fitzroy Island, where you can swim alongside majestic green sea turtles. Fitzroy also has a turtle rehabilitation center, where you can see turtles recovering from injury or illness up close and learn about their care and release.

You’re in for a unique treat if you time your visit to the Great Barrier Reef with a coral-spawning event in late spring or early summer. This is essentially when the coral gets jiggy and releases clouds of egg and sperm bundles for fertilization. During this time, it’s like diving inside a giant snow globe.

2. Julian Rocks, New South Wales

Julian Rocks is the place for shark enthusiasts. The idea of crossing paths with these toothy fish may unsettle some, but those in the know understand that the site’s winter-loving grey nurse sharks and summer-loving leopard sharks are oft-misunderstood and typically timid, so fear not. Further, the convergence of warm and cool waters in these parts – and the associated convergence of marine life – makes for some of the best diving and snorkeling in Australia.

Novice divers and snorkelers can dip and dive in the sheltered Nursery, where a rainbow-mix of fish and multiple turtle species live, while experienced divers can venture to the Cod Hole – an underwater cave that provides a haven for the endangered grey nurse sharks, along with wobbegongs and moray eels. Rays are a common sight year-round.

Julian Rocks is located just off the coast of Byron Bay, so once you hang up your fins, enjoy a cocktail with a side of live music in one of Australia’s coolest beach towns.

Large whale shark surrounded by pilot fish at Ningaloo Reef — Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef. indianoceanimagery / Getty Images

3. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

At 260kms long, Ningaloo Marine Park forms Australia’s second-largest coral reef, and is also home to the world’s largest fringing reef. These credentials feed Ningaloo’s popularity as a snorkeling and diving spot, along with its reputation for being one of the best places in the world to swim alongside whale sharks – the biggest fish in the sea. These gentle giants congregate in record numbers off the coast of Exmouth from April to July. This season tag-teams the humpback whale migration along the coast of Western Australia from July to October, when visitors can opt to jump in with the monstrous mammals. Strict laws ensure the protection of the whales by mandating the number of guests allowed in the water at one time and the distance between swimmers and marine life.

There’s a good chance you’ll spot dolphins, rays and dugongs in these waters too, and if you’ve got the time and inclination, up to 500 species of fish.

Giant Cuttlefish with shark silhouettes in the background off Eyre Peninsula, one of Australia's best diving spots — The giant cuttlefish is one of Eyre Peninsula's most unusual attractions. saulty72 / Shutterstock

4. Eyre Peninsula, South Australia

While Ningaloo’s marine life pin-up is the whale, on South Australian’s Eyre Peninsula it’s the giant cuttlefish. Between May and August, thousands of alien-like creatures, with arms sprouting from their head, beeline to the rocky coast of Whyalla to breed, and divers and snorkelers front up to enjoy the spectacle. From the water, you can watch these peculiar creatures (which are more like squid than fish) flitter through the water, changing their color, shape and texture, and engaging in some mouth-to-mouth procreation.

At the less-friendly end of the spectrum are Eyre Peninsula’s toothy great whites, and you can dive with these sharks from the safety of a cage.

In this region, marine life is just as well known for being on a plate as it is for being in the ocean, so use your trip to Whyalla as the starting point for South Australia’s through to Ceduna. The oysters, tuna, prawns and rock lobsters are divine.

Marine turtles photographed off the coast of Australia. — Go deep at Bicheno if you like a challenge. Migration Media - Underwater Imaging / Getty Images

5. Bicheno, Tasmania

Tasmania has some of Australia’s best deep-water dive sites, particularly around Bicheno, located to the north of Tassie’s beach-hugging Freycinet National Park. This small fishing town is home to irresistibly named sites like Paradise Reef and Magic Garden, the latter being a 38-metre wall overrun by marine life. The reserve also includes the Golden Bommies, which is a favorite among scuba divers who love a challenge. The site includes two 10-meter-tall bommies (coral columns) covered in sea whips and the yellow zoanthids that bestowed the site its name. In these waters, butterfly perch are common, while Tasmania’s spotted handfish are less so…but that makes things all the more special if you see one.