Explore Sunshine Coast

Australia’s Sunshine Coast is a hidden gem for scuba divers, offering a remarkable underwater experience in Queensland’s vibrant marine ecosystem. With the warm, subtropical waters teeming with life, divers can explore a diverse range of environments, from the bustling reefs of Mooloolaba to the historic Tangalooma Wrecks. These sunken treasures, nestled in sandy seabeds, are home to an array of marine life, including grey nurse sharks, stingrays, and the occasional loggerhead turtle. The area’s rich biodiversity ensures that every dive is filled with captivating encounters.

Dive enthusiasts have a plethora of options when it comes to exploring the Sunshine Coast. From shore dives to boat and liveaboard experiences, the region caters to all preferences. Adventurous divers might find themselves embarking on a weekend trip aboard a liveaboard, venturing out to the iconic Ex-HMAS Brisbane and the stunning coral formations near Noosa. With dive centres strategically located near hotspots like Mooloolaba, accessing these underwater wonders is both convenient and thrilling. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned diver, the Sunshine Coast promises unforgettable adventures beneath the waves.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Hanging Rock

Hanging Rock was given its name due to an enormous rocky outcrop which overhangs a sandy trench below. The underside of the overhang is a photographers delight! Here you will find beautiful sun corals feeding in the tranquil sway of the ocean.

974
Logs
547
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ HMAS Brisbane (Wreck)

The HMAS Brisbane was scuttled in July 2005 to create an artificial reef off Mooloolaba’s Sunshine Coast. The Queensland government created a Conservation Park around the wreck. This wreck is buzzing with beautiful marine life.

12,550
Logs
2,042
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Big Plates

Big Plates boasts a beautiful display of healthy, hard and soft corals. The anchor sits in approx 10m of water, which makes it a perfect site for new divers or those who have not dived for a while. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, as well as a mini cave, unfortunately you cannot fit inside it.

383
Logs
237
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ MKVI

MK6 boasts a beautiful display of healthy, hard and soft corals. The anchor sits in approx 10m of water, which makes it a perfect site for new divers or those who have not dived for a while. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, as well as a mini cave, unfortunately you cannot fit inside it.

240
Logs
178
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Wonderland

Wonderland boasts a beautiful display of healthy, hard and soft corals. The anchor sits in approx 10m of water, which makes it a perfect site for new divers or those who have not dived for a while. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, as well as a mini cave, unfortunately you cannot fit inside it.

1,801
Logs
819
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Pinnacles

The pinnacles is one of the most popular dive sites on the Mooloolaba Coral Reefs. There are 2 pinnacles that rise from the sand in 24 metres. The top of one pinnacle is 16 metres and the other rises to 14 metres. This site is very easy to navigate with beautiful corals and tropical fish.

210
Logs
163
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
10.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★☆☆ The Caves

It’s virtually impossible to get lost at this great dive site, given the ledge that runs in an East – West direction. We recommend you check out the mini cave that usually has large pelagics,

453
Logs
300
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Soup Kitchen

Soup Kitchen boasts a beautiful display of healthy, hard and soft corals. The anchor sits in approx 10m of water, which makes it a perfect site for new divers or those who have not dived for a while. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, as well as a mini cave, unfortunately you cannot fit inside it.

592
Logs
393
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Butterflies

Butterfly is a unique dive site that we get to visit on special occasions. Hill like surroundings and overhanging structures, lots to see on this amazing dive site.

323
Logs
204
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Wobby Rock, Gneering Shoals

A scattering of boulders appear to have formed a reef (tops with depth of approx 13 metres and a sea floor sitting between 15 and 18 metres). There are plenty of gaps and holes for marine life to hide, including a small cave.

43
Logs
29
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Nurse Rock

Imagine a mini grand canyon, two large rocks rest side by side, with a split between the two. There are lots of bait fish between the two rocks. At the base of the rock you will find two tight swim throughs (tunnels).

1,277
Logs
521
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ THE HOLE

Local reef dive site, suitable for beginner divers. Vary depths. Majority of the topography is coral and sand with slight rocky face in areas.

260
Logs
181
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
11.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Clown Reef

CLOWN FISH EVERYWHERE! Dropping down on this site looks like boulder city at one end and gullys at the other. You can find 1000’s of anemonies and clownish at this site.

293
Logs
159
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Aussie’s Reef, Gneering Shoals

A reef top (approx depth 13 metres) sticks out from the sea floor (approx depth 18 metres), forming some overhanging structure. A sandy bottom lies between the structure and flatter coral sea beds.

25
Logs
15
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
12.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Mudjimba Island Reef SW

The reef to the SW of Mudjimba Island offers a shallow wall that drops off (to approx 8 to 15 metres) from the reef top (depth of approx 3 to 6 metres). “Mudjimba“ is the islands aboriginal name (and translates to “Old Woman“), with origin from an indigenous dream time story.

199
Logs
92
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast diving is renowned for its impressive shark diving, where divers will find themselves swimming alongside large grey nurse sharks, white-tip reef sharks, shovel-nosed and sleek whaler sharks. Wreck-enthusiasts will delight at the vast range of aircraft and ships that can be explored including the Ex-HMAS Brisbane and the Tangalooma Wrecks at Moreton Island. Both the Noosa and Mooloolaba Reefs have an incredibly diverse topography. Divers can venture around canyons, ridges, bommies, pinnacles, walls and caves while discovering several intricate reef systems including the Inner and Outer Gneerings. Keen macro-photographers will be impressed by the array of ‘small stuff’ adorning gorgonian sea fans, soft and hard corals.

The best Months to dive in the Sunshine Coast

Due to its subtropical climate, Sunshine Coast diving is possible year-round yet some species are more abundant at certain times of the year. During the winter months, from June through to October, humpback whales migrate along the Queensland coastline. At these times, divers are likely to see humpback whales on their surface intervals. In the later winter months, sharks are also more abundant and this is the most popular time to dive alongside grey nurse sharks.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

SCUBA WORLD

207 Brisbane Road, 4557 Mooloolaba, QLD - AUS