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Scuba diving in Australia and beyond
great diving spots for both first timers and experienced divers, many of which are
accessible from Sydney. Here’s a list of three popular scuba and snorkeling
destinations, in Australia and beyond.
The Great Barrier Reef, North Eastern Australia
With some 1,580 miles of coral reefs sitting out from the coast of North Eastern
Australia, this region has perhaps the best reputation for snorkelling and scuba diving
in the world. It’s the world’s largest coral reef system, composed of some 3,000
individual reefs, and because of its sheer size there are a number of great places to
stay lining the coast. However, Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands account for around
85% of the tourism in the region, and they are the best equipped areas for a holiday.
From Cairns it is necessary to get a boat out to the reef because it lies offshore. Often
these will take you to a pontoon out at sea from which you can dive and it’s not
uncommon to see giant clams or huge Maori wrasse. In the Whitsundays, meanwhile,
you won’t always have to get a boat, as the reefs are closer to the shore. Highlights in
this archipelago include Daydream Island, which is home to an outdoor aquarium, and
an incredible network of reef lagoons.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Often listed as one of the natural wonders of the world, Bora Bora is a beautiful volcanic
island encircled by an incredible barrier reef. The view from the air is truly stunning, but
there are plenty of underwater sites that are just as breathtaking. Many of the resorts
have overwater bungalows as standard features, so it’s easy to just wake up and dive
into the clear waters! The reefs contain a diverse range of fish, sharks and rays, and it’s
quite common to see huge manta rays gliding past you. Both in and outside of the
lagoon it is possible to see dolphins and turtles, while there is also the chance to go on
trips to feed the turtles and sharks. Scuba diving conditions are good all year round in
French Polynesia, but the best conditions are between April and November. If you visit
between July and early October you may also be able to see visiting whales that come
to the temperate waters to raise their newborns.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
A bit closer to home than anywhere in the Pacific Ocean, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the
most developed tourist resorts on the Sinai Peninsula. The warm waters of the Strait of
Tiran also include over 250 dazzling coral reefs and 1,000 species of fish. More
experienced divers will want to try dives to the wrecks of the Thistlegorm and Dunraven
– the two most famous wrecks in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the destination is also
excellent for snorkelers, as many of the corals come within one meter of the surface
due to the small tidal action of the Red Sea. More Europeans learn to dive here than
anywhere else in the world, and it is ideal for beginners.
Visit DialAFlight for flights to all the above destinations, including flights to Australia
from £555 (to Sydney including taxes).
accessible from Sydney. Here’s a list of three popular scuba and snorkeling
destinations, in Australia and beyond.
The Great Barrier Reef, North Eastern Australia
With some 1,580 miles of coral reefs sitting out from the coast of North Eastern
Australia, this region has perhaps the best reputation for snorkelling and scuba diving
in the world. It’s the world’s largest coral reef system, composed of some 3,000
individual reefs, and because of its sheer size there are a number of great places to
stay lining the coast. However, Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands account for around
85% of the tourism in the region, and they are the best equipped areas for a holiday.
From Cairns it is necessary to get a boat out to the reef because it lies offshore. Often
these will take you to a pontoon out at sea from which you can dive and it’s not
uncommon to see giant clams or huge Maori wrasse. In the Whitsundays, meanwhile,
you won’t always have to get a boat, as the reefs are closer to the shore. Highlights in
this archipelago include Daydream Island, which is home to an outdoor aquarium, and
an incredible network of reef lagoons.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Often listed as one of the natural wonders of the world, Bora Bora is a beautiful volcanic
island encircled by an incredible barrier reef. The view from the air is truly stunning, but
there are plenty of underwater sites that are just as breathtaking. Many of the resorts
have overwater bungalows as standard features, so it’s easy to just wake up and dive
into the clear waters! The reefs contain a diverse range of fish, sharks and rays, and it’s
quite common to see huge manta rays gliding past you. Both in and outside of the
lagoon it is possible to see dolphins and turtles, while there is also the chance to go on
trips to feed the turtles and sharks. Scuba diving conditions are good all year round in
French Polynesia, but the best conditions are between April and November. If you visit
between July and early October you may also be able to see visiting whales that come
to the temperate waters to raise their newborns.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
A bit closer to home than anywhere in the Pacific Ocean, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the
most developed tourist resorts on the Sinai Peninsula. The warm waters of the Strait of
Tiran also include over 250 dazzling coral reefs and 1,000 species of fish. More
experienced divers will want to try dives to the wrecks of the Thistlegorm and Dunraven
– the two most famous wrecks in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the destination is also
excellent for snorkelers, as many of the corals come within one meter of the surface
due to the small tidal action of the Red Sea. More Europeans learn to dive here than
anywhere else in the world, and it is ideal for beginners.
Visit DialAFlight for flights to all the above destinations, including flights to Australia
from £555 (to Sydney including taxes).