With nearly 3000km of reef, the hardest part of planning a scuba dive in Queensland is picking where to blow your bubbles. Its blend of kaleidoscope reefs, caves and shipwrecks teem with tropical marine life.
There's more to glorious Queensland than the Great Barrier Reef. For rugged underwater landscapes, head south of Cairns. You won't be alone as you cruise along the reef; eagle and manta rays in large colonies swoop elegantly alongside octopus and reef sharks. Migrating humpback whales descend on Queensland each year to escape the chilly Arctic waters.
If that's not enough, hammerhead sharks and dogtooth tuna are among the other larger fish you can swim fin-to-fin with. Wherever you go diving in Queensland, you'll find endless amounts of underwater joy.
Diving in Queensland can be split into two climate zones: tropical in the far north and temperate in the southeast. Diving is good all year. Water temperatures range from 71- 87°F (22-29°C). A rashie or 2mm shorty will be suffice in summer, while a 3-5mm wetsuit will keep you toasty in winter.
In June-November visibility soars to 20m and chances of seeing rays, whale sharks and minke whales are high. Divers who slip beneath the surface in October-April can gaze up at groups of manta feeding on plankton.
During these months, spot leopard sharks, wobbegong sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and a sprinkling of tropical fish drifting through the blue. Between July and November scuba divers are likely to catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales, so keep your ears tuned in for their song.
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