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.

Upcoming Events

  • Dive Activity

    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.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites

    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.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in the Sunshine Coast

    On the Ex-HMAS Brisbane alone; clownfish, anemone, octopus, scorpionfish, lionfish, and giant Queensland grouper can be encountered. On the sandy seafloor surrounding the wreck, hermit crabs, leopard shark or shovelnose ray and spectacular soaring bull rays can be seen. At the impressive reef systems of Mooloolaba, Noosa, and Flinders Reef, loggerhead and green turtles can be witnessed breaching the surface for a breath of fresh air while wobbegong shark rest lazily on the seabed. The coral gardens are home to an array of marine invertebrates including feather stars, hermit crabs, urchins, and over 100 varieties of nudibranch. Occasionally, seasonal manta rays appear while grey nurse shark and sleek whaler sharks glide around the reef searching for their next meal.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    681 Sightings
    J
    78
    F
    26
    M
    46
    A
    49
    M
    48
    J
    77
    J
    70
    A
    63
    S
    45
    O
    71
    N
    41
    D
    67

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    616 Sightings
    J
    144
    F
    47
    M
    42
    A
    39
    M
    18
    J
    39
    J
    24
    A
    20
    S
    23
    O
    67
    N
    69
    D
    84

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    606 Sightings
    J
    72
    F
    34
    M
    36
    A
    40
    M
    20
    J
    55
    J
    58
    A
    63
    S
    63
    O
    54
    N
    69
    D
    42

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    568 Sightings
    J
    47
    F
    11
    M
    23
    A
    34
    M
    19
    J
    39
    J
    56
    A
    81
    S
    59
    O
    70
    N
    58
    D
    71
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    219 Sightings
    J
    32
    F
    1
    M
    5
    A
    18
    M
    10
    J
    19
    J
    12
    A
    20
    S
    26
    O
    26
    N
    34
    D
    16
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle

    207 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    18
    M
    22
    J
    25
    J
    3
    A
    20
    S
    21
    O
    24
    N
    21
    D
    29
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    197 Sightings
    J
    41
    F
    14
    M
    1
    A
    12
    M
    0
    J
    14
    J
    0
    A
    13
    S
    23
    O
    43
    N
    26
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    131 Sightings
    J
    31
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    16
    M
    17
    J
    1
    J
    11
    A
    5
    S
    12
    O
    5
    N
    12
    D
    16
    Humpback Whale

    Humpback Whale

    84 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    4
    J
    0
    A
    17
    S
    40
    O
    23
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    141
    F
    30
    M
    61
    A
    97
    M
    73
    J
    99
    J
    120
    A
    120
    S
    80
    O
    102
    N
    134
    D
    90

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    1k Sightings
    J
    109
    F
    38
    M
    63
    A
    97
    M
    64
    J
    101
    J
    105
    A
    97
    S
    100
    O
    89
    N
    83
    D
    93

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    927 Sightings
    J
    136
    F
    41
    M
    42
    A
    74
    M
    44
    J
    55
    J
    84
    A
    109
    S
    71
    O
    89
    N
    96
    D
    86

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    899 Sightings
    J
    115
    F
    34
    M
    49
    A
    91
    M
    56
    J
    73
    J
    78
    A
    92
    S
    80
    O
    86
    N
    74
    D
    71

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    685 Sightings
    J
    100
    F
    24
    M
    36
    A
    67
    M
    46
    J
    31
    J
    52
    A
    75
    S
    47
    O
    64
    N
    85
    D
    58

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    590 Sightings
    J
    61
    F
    29
    M
    27
    A
    39
    M
    28
    J
    58
    J
    57
    A
    65
    S
    52
    O
    59
    N
    68
    D
    47

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    561 Sightings
    J
    72
    F
    20
    M
    20
    A
    32
    M
    24
    J
    53
    J
    46
    A
    80
    S
    49
    O
    50
    N
    53
    D
    62

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    517 Sightings
    J
    49
    F
    21
    M
    24
    A
    39
    M
    24
    J
    41
    J
    41
    A
    75
    S
    45
    O
    49
    N
    62
    D
    47

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    493 Sightings
    J
    43
    F
    14
    M
    30
    A
    40
    M
    18
    J
    59
    J
    59
    A
    36
    S
    48
    O
    50
    N
    51
    D
    45

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    492 Sightings
    J
    55
    F
    13
    M
    24
    A
    28
    M
    22
    J
    41
    J
    57
    A
    60
    S
    27
    O
    44
    N
    49
    D
    72

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    449 Sightings
    J
    43
    F
    12
    M
    20
    A
    35
    M
    24
    J
    38
    J
    43
    A
    62
    S
    46
    O
    43
    N
    58
    D
    25

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    427 Sightings
    J
    48
    F
    3
    M
    20
    A
    34
    M
    39
    J
    40
    J
    33
    A
    64
    S
    27
    O
    40
    N
    39
    D
    40

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    383 Sightings
    J
    73
    F
    27
    M
    24
    A
    28
    M
    11
    J
    23
    J
    17
    A
    17
    S
    16
    O
    39
    N
    42
    D
    66

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    375 Sightings
    J
    30
    F
    11
    M
    23
    A
    28
    M
    19
    J
    42
    J
    32
    A
    29
    S
    28
    O
    40
    N
    46
    D
    47

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    367 Sightings
    J
    31
    F
    1
    M
    15
    A
    29
    M
    19
    J
    45
    J
    37
    A
    41
    S
    37
    O
    23
    N
    45
    D
    44
    Wobbegong

    Wobbegong

    334 Sightings
    J
    19
    F
    2
    M
    8
    A
    29
    M
    21
    J
    24
    J
    62
    A
    101
    S
    34
    O
    22
    N
    6
    D
    6

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark

    272 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    1
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    9
    J
    74
    A
    91
    S
    51
    O
    25
    N
    15
    D
    6

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    265 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    1
    M
    10
    A
    14
    M
    1
    J
    27
    J
    28
    A
    44
    S
    35
    O
    20
    N
    36
    D
    28

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    262 Sightings
    J
    30
    F
    0
    M
    2
    A
    23
    M
    11
    J
    30
    J
    26
    A
    36
    S
    23
    O
    22
    N
    26
    D
    33

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    261 Sightings
    J
    44
    F
    7
    M
    11
    A
    15
    M
    0
    J
    19
    J
    23
    A
    30
    S
    19
    O
    30
    N
    46
    D
    17

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    259 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    2
    M
    11
    J
    27
    J
    24
    A
    22
    S
    17
    O
    39
    N
    35
    D
    39

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    241 Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    0
    M
    3
    A
    19
    M
    14
    J
    28
    J
    31
    A
    20
    S
    18
    O
    22
    N
    31
    D
    28

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Stonefish

    Stonefish

    217 Sightings
    J
    29
    F
    16
    M
    14
    A
    23
    M
    10
    J
    21
    J
    12
    A
    19
    S
    13
    O
    32
    N
    14
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    139 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    0
    M
    4
    A
    21
    M
    4
    J
    18
    J
    7
    A
    37
    S
    4
    O
    6
    N
    16
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    136 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    5
    M
    0
    J
    5
    J
    13
    A
    17
    S
    22
    O
    8
    N
    43
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    127 Sightings
    J
    20
    F
    0
    M
    1
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    18
    J
    2
    A
    17
    S
    15
    O
    18
    N
    23
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Emperor

    Emperor

    102 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    0
    M
    2
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    27
    J
    0
    A
    14
    S
    11
    O
    6
    N
    13
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Tuna

    Tuna

    80 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    10
    M
    0
    J
    24
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    12
    O
    13
    N
    11
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Guitarfish

    Guitarfish

    75 Sightings
    J
    25
    F
    0
    M
    14
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    12
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    10
    N
    14
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Garfish

    Garfish

    56 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    1
    M
    2
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    0
    A
    7
    S
    0
    O
    5
    N
    14
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    29 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    5
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    2
    N
    6
    D
    2