Explore Tweed Heads
At the northern edge of NSW in Australia lies the town of Tweed Heads, and its twin - Coolangatta. The two towns are joined, forming an almost continuous city where the Tweed Heads River meets the Pacific Ocean.
The two dive centres that exist here cater to all levels of dive courses. There are no liveaboard or dive resorts as yet. The diving here is unique in its blend of warmer and cooler waters, creating a melting pot of species. Some of the stand out species to spot include green turtles, rock cod, blind sharks, grey nurse sharks and bull sharks. You can even see humpback whales!
Top Tweet Heads Dive Sites
1. Tweed River
A calm shore dive ideal for beginners. Expect estuarine species like bream, mullet, and crabs. Visibility can be reduced after rain, but it’s a popular training and macro photography site with easy access and minimal current.
2. Manta Bommie (North Stradbroke Island)
A world-renowned cleaning station for manta rays, this advanced dive also features leopard sharks, turtles, and dolphins. Currents can be strong, so it’s best for experienced scuba divers. Seasonal manta sightings peak in summer.
3. Cook Island Marine Reserve
Located 600m offshore, this protected site offers tropical fish, turtles (green and loggerhead), grey nurse sharks, and vibrant nudibranchs. Night dives reveal bioluminescent plankton. Accessible for most levels in calm conditions.
4. Nine-Mile Reef
An advanced offshore site known as a marine highway. Divers encounter leopard and grey reef sharks, rays, turtles, and sometimes whales. Strong currents and deeper depths make it best for experienced scuba divers only.
5. Flinders Reef
Often compared to the Great Barrier Reef for its biodiversity, this vibrant reef is home to hard and soft corals, reef fish, and turtles. Humpback whales can be heard singing during winter. Suitable for intermediate to advanced divers.