Explore Townsville
Northern Queensland sunny city of Townsville is often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, but with over 320 days of sunshine and some of the best access to the Great Barrier Reef, this is one of Australia’s diving gems! The waters hide vivid coral and sponge gardens, busy with life on reefs like Lodestone, Kelso and Wheeler. A major draw is the SS Yongala - a passenger ship which sunk in 1911 and is now considered one of the best wreck dives in the world. It is an “oasis in the desert”, surrounded by kilometers of sand and drawing in a myriad of marine life.
Nearby Magnetic Island has stunning rock formations and serene ocean conditions, making it one of the more popular places in Australia to complete beginner diving courses. The dive centres and liveaboards throughout Townsville and Magnetic Island offer diving courses all the way up to instructor. Liveaboards up to a week long leave from various locations and are a popular way to spend more time on the Yongala or the more remote Osprey Reef.
Top Townsville Dive Sites
1. SS Yongala Wreck
One of the world’s top wreck dives, the SS Yongala lies between 15–33m on sandy seabed. For advanced scuba divers only, it hosts bull sharks, sea snakes, groupers, and mantas. Currents can be strong, and wreck penetration is forbidden. A protected heritage site.
2. Lodestone Reef
Ideal for all levels of scuba divers, Lodestone Reef features coral bommies, gullies, and walls. Visibility is often excellent, with resident reef fish, nudibranchs, and the occasional turtle. A colorful and easy site within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
3. Magnetic Island Reefs
Just 25 minutes by ferry, Magnetic Island offers accessible dives for beginners. Geoffrey, Alma, Florence, and Arthur Bays feature shallow reefs, small wrecks, and diverse marine life. Perfect for snorkelling and freediving in calm, tropical waters.
4. Pelorus Island
A remote site suited for intermediate to advanced scuba divers, Pelorus boasts sharks, mantas, turtles, and over 990 fish species. The island’s fringing reefs offer vibrant corals and are part of a designated conservation area in the Palm Island Group.
5. Wheeler Reef
With depths from 2–18m, Wheeler Reef offers excellent visibility, coral gardens, caves, and lagoons. Expect reef fish schools, turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and great macro life. A diverse, protected site suited for all levels and dive styles.