Best Places To Scuba Dive On The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s natural wonders and a popular destination for scuba divers from all over the globe. Its crystal-clear waters teem with life, including coral, fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and more.

“The Great Barrier Reef is a magical underwater paradise. It’s an incredible experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Scuba diving here is like entering a new world. It’s an unforgettable adventure filled with incredible sights and wonders that will stay with you forever,” says Isaiah Burke, managing director at Beach Umbrella.

To help you plan your next scuba diving excursion to the Great Barrier Reef, here’s a look at some of its best spots.

1. Ribbon Reefs 

Located off the northern tip of Queensland, Ribbon Reefs are known for their walls that drop off into deep trenches and canyons. Here you’ll find an array of hard and soft corals and sea fans in every colour imaginable. Keep an eye out for reef sharks, turtles, manta rays, and eagle rays on your dive!

2. Cod Hole 

Named after its numerous potato cod fish often seen swimming around divers in large groups, Cod Hole is situated on a shallow patch reef off Lizard Island in far north Queensland. Here you’ll see giant potato cod up close, along with white-tipped reef sharks and other marine creatures like moray eels and cuttlefish.

3. Cairns

This coastal city in Queensland is excellent for both beginners and experienced divers. The waters around Cairns are teeming with colourful coral reefs and a wide variety of marine life, making it ideal for exploring. There are plenty of dive centres in Cairns where you can get certified or rent equipment if you don’t have your own.

4. Osprey Reef

This unique spot is located in Coral Sea Marine Park, about 30 miles offshore from Cooktown in Far North Queensland. On Osprey Reef, you can experience night diving—an exciting way to explore the reef after dark—and encounter colourful species like spadefish, angelfish, manta rays, barracudas, moray eels, and giant groupers during your dives.

5. Lady Elliot Island

From shallow fringing reefs perfect for snorkeling novices to deep coral gardens that only experienced divers can access, Lady Elliot has something for everyone! Plus, with its low-lying coral cays surrounded by pristine turquoise waters, this island also boasts some truly stunning scenery above water!

6. Lizard Island

Lizard Island is one of Australia’s most famous dive sites near Cooktown on Queensland’s northeast coast. This remote island offers exceptional visibility up to 40 meters (130 feet) and boasts beautiful intricate coral gardens full of vibrant tropical fish such as angelfish, snappers, trevallies, wrasse, and more!

Complete Your Underwater Trip!

Agincourt Beachfront Apartments will make your trip to Australia complete! Whether you’re an experienced diver or just getting started with scuba diving, these three locations offer something unique. Plan your next dive today for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Contact us, and we’ll help you book the perfect scuba diving adventure to the Great Barrier Reef. Our experienced team of professionals will ensure a safe and unforgettable experience!


Article written by Sophia Knight.