Dive HMAS Brisbane
Regions divingWhether you are a seasoned diver or trying on a wetsuit for the first time, the Sunshine Coast offers some of the best diving experiences in Queensland . One major drawcard of diving the Sunshine Coast is that it offers variety, ranging from the newly created shipwreck of the ex-HMAS Brisbane to the shallow waters of Mudjimba (Old Woman) Island to the more adventurous dive of Wolf Rock, there are plenty of dive sites to explore. |
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With water temperatures that range from 18 degrees C to 27 degrees C and beautiful sunny weather most days of the year, the Sunshine Coast offers divers a safe and spectacular environment to explore while holidaying and enjoying the stylish and relaxed atmosphere. |
Marine life is in abundance with the perfect sub-tropical waters being a haven for soft and hard corals to flourish. A variety of tropical fish, pelagic fish, giant Queensland gropers, marine reptiles (including green turtles, loggerhead turtles and hawksbill turtles), rays and sharks are regularly encountered at many dive sites. Here is the pick of some of the best dive sites on the coast: Ex-HMAS Brisbane This site is so special it has a link all on its own click here Mudjimba (Old Woman) Island A popular shallow-water dive site and close to shore, Mudjimba Island offers safe, easy and interesting diving. The island is only a few minutes boat ride from our dive centre, and offers a variety of marine life including lots of soft corals, sea sponges, sea anemones, Nudibranchs and a variety of tropical fish. This site is also great for snorkelling. Sunshine Reef This is an extensive shoal stretching north-south off Sunshine Beach , south of Noosa Headland. The site hosts a diverse population of marine life including Coral Trout, Parrot, Tusk Fish, Coral Crayfish, Mantis Shrimps, Banded Coral Shrimps, Spanish Dancers and even the occasional Grey Nurse Shark. As this site is deeper (averaging 32-33m at the southern section) the hard and soft corals flourish. The site offers excellent diving for experienced and advanced divers. The Pinnacles This site is located near Laguna Bay at Noosa and is an amazing site of 3 pinnacles standing upright from the sea bed. The highest reaches 10 metres from the sea bed and the tops of the pinnacles are submerged in 16 metres of water, making the bottom dive 26 metres. This site is a photographers dream with a variety of marine life including schooling pelagics in summer, a range of rays, Loggerhead and Green Turtles, Moray Eeels, Wobbegong Sharks and over summer Leopard (Zebra) Sharks. The Caves Also located near Laguna Bay at Noosa, The Caves is a 10-12 metre dive incorporating interesting ledges, gutters and swim throughs. This site is renowned for its colourful array of soft and hard corals, ascidians and tropical fish. Darcy's Reef Darcy's reef site is a series of ridges and sand gutters 500 metres due East of The Pinnacle. The reef is adorned with many beautifully coloured Soft Corals, Black Coral Trees and White Coral Whips with Fairy Basslets and Saphire Damsels darting in and out of cover. Numerous Wobbegongs inhabit this area, laying in wait for their staple diet, the Spiny Rock Lobster. Castaways 'Castaways' is an isolated reef half way between Noosa and Coolum and is home to many residential fish including Maori and Barramundi Cod, Coral Trout, Grouper and Lion Fish. Coral life here is quite abundant with a beautiful garden of Coral Whips and Black Coral Trees. This location is also home to the Bullseye Lobster, a very rare species in these waters. Wolf Rock The most northerly of the Sunshine Coast dive sites, Wolf Rock is found off Double Island Point. It is considered to be one of Australia 's top ten scuba diving destinations and is perhaps one of the most adventurous dives. Wolf Rock is a formation of four volcanic pinnacles that provides some exciting diving with plenty of swim throughs, vertical gutters and overhanging ledges. Marine life is in abundance with fish varieties including trevally, cod, coral trout, perch, mackerel, baitfish, leopard shark, wobbegong shark and Grey Nurse Shark. There are also several giant Queensland Groper, manta ray and a variety of turtles. Water Temperatures Minimum 18 degrees Celsius in winter Maximum 27 degrees Celsius in summer Visibility 15-25 metres in winter 10-15 metres in summer |
