Hamilton Island
Explore Whitsundays The Whitsundays found in Northern Queensland are one of the most popular backpac
Explore Whitsundays
The Whitsundays found in Northern Queensland are one of the most popular backpacker and resort destinations in Australia and it’s not hard to see the reason - the 74 islands are strewn across the bright turquoise water like emeralds in views so perfect, they are almost dream-like.
It is so popular with holidaymakers that there are many dive centres, mostly centred around Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island, while the dive resorts often sit on castaway islands and are at the luxury end of the market. Diving courses are big business and it shouldn’t be too hard to find an appropriate centre - however during the busy periods (July/August and December/January), they book up fast! Liveaboards are a great way to see the outer reef and give you the opportunity to sleep under the stars. They mostly leave from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island and range from 1 to 7 nights.
Diving highlights include the variety of life which can include humpback whales and manta rays. The fringing coral reefs teem with life and the caves and caverns will keep experienced divers busy.
Places to explore
Dive Activity
Diving in the Whitsundays
Whitsundays diving is centred around the beautiful coral reefs that sit on its doorstep. The islands are surrounded by bright corals and sponges, with species numbering in the hundreds. The northern islands, like Hook and Hayman, have excellent fringe sites. The best time to dive here is on a rising tide, as clear oceanic water floods southwards.
The outer Great Barrier Reef is a long boat ride away so it is best enjoyed on a liveaboard. As the most popular sailing destination in Australia, there are plenty of them to choose from! Most dive sites do not exceed 20m, making this an ideal destination for more novice divers - though it is possible to find sites up to 30m. For the seasoned divers yearning for adventure, there are a few technically challenging dives including drifts and caverns.
Top Wildlife Sightings in the Whitsundays
There are over 3000 reef systems and coral cays in this area of the Great Barrier Reef, ensuring that divers will never get bored. There are more than 400 species of coral forming the home for an abundance of reef fish. The macro life is ideal for divers who love the tiny stuff - there are plenty of obscure nudibranch and crustaceans to find.
This is an important ecosystem for several species of turtles, who feed on the corals and seagrass as well as nesting here. White and black tip reef sharks lurk at some dive sites and are skittish around humans, so don’t worry about them getting too close. Dolphins and dugongs are rare, but not unheard of. Majestic manta rays are common at some sites at certain times. Whales head here during the winter to give birth and you might be lucky enough to see one during a dive, or hear their haunting melody.
A word of warning - Box jellyfish are found here during the summer months and their sting can be lethal, so be sure to wear protection in the water.
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: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
43 Sightings
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5
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3
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1
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12
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4
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5
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6
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
32 Sightings
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6
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4
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2
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5
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7
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1
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2
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4
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
14 Sightings
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1
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1
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4
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3
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3
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
14 Sightings
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2
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3
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2
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1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
13 Sightings
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1
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2
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AdobeStock-Magnus
Humpback Whale
10 Sightings
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1
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7
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
5 Sightings
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2
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1
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iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
4 Sightings
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2
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
74 Sightings
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2
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5
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1
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5
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18
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6
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5
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5
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7
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9
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
68 Sightings
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4
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11
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2
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10
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2
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3
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11
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6
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10
The best Months to dive in the Whitsundays
Diving in the Whitsundays is possible year round due to the tropical climate. In the summer months (November - April) the air temperatures sit at a balmy 30oC while the water temperature is in the mid 20s. January to March is the wet season, although the short, sharp showers don’t affect diving. Coral spawning can be seen in October and November. The best visibility is from August to December, ranging between 8 and 30m - however liveaboards at the outer edges can experience visibility up to 50m.
The winter months (May - October) are still very pleasant and temperatures stay around the mid 20s. The water temperature stays roughly the same year round, anywhere between 24 and 29oC. One big benefit of diving during the winter is the opportunity to see whales - Minke between June and August and humpbacks from June to November.
