Explore Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a backpacker hub located between Brisbane and Cairns in sunny Queensland. Acting as a jumping off point for the idyllic Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, which lies around 50 miles offshore, it attracts thousands of ocean lovers every year.
Airlie Beach has several dive centres which dive around the coast and are available for all your diving course needs. As the waters are warm year round, calm and clear, with a variety of marine life - beginner diving courses are popular. There are further dive resorts and dive centres in the Whitsunday Islands on some of the inhabited islands like Whitsunday, Hamilton and Daydream. Liveaboards are big business in Airlie Beach diving. The 74 Whitsunday islands are the most popular sailing destination in Australia because of their pure white beaches, azure waters and emerald islands. The Great Barrier Reef is a two hour boatride away, making day trips inconvenient. Fortunately, liveaboards make an excellent alternative. The diving in Airlie Beach centres around 6 main dive sites which feature a variety of species and topographies.
Top Dive Spots in Airlie Beach
1. Drop Zone, Airlie Beach
A thrilling drift dive with strong currents and vibrant coral gardens. Suitable for advanced scuba divers, it offers sightings of turtles, reef sharks, and pelagics. Ideal for those seeking an adrenaline-fueled underwater ride.
2. Seaflight Bommie, Knuckle Reef Lagoon
A coral pinnacle surrounded by clear waters, perfect for scuba and freediving. With an easy to moderate level, it features colorful reef fish, soft corals, and great photo opportunities thanks to its dramatic structure.
3. The Aquarium, Airlie Beach Lagoon
Great for beginners, this calm lagoon has clear water and a sandy bottom. Both scuba and freedivers enjoy spotting critters like shrimp and gobies. Its gentle conditions make it ideal for training and macro photography.
4. The Hangover, Great Barrier Reef
A scenic wall dive for intermediate scuba divers. Spot barramundi, cod, and mackerel, and explore the “Stepping Stones”—flat coral pinnacles teeming with batfish and moray eels. Located within a protected marine zone.
5. Wally’s Wall, Outer Reef
A wall dive starting at 5 meters, home to blue coral gardens and large species like Maori wrasse, eagle rays, and sharks. For advanced scuba divers, this site offers rewarding encounters in a pristine reef environment.
