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The best dive spots in Australia
Australia has some of the most widely acclaimed top diving spots on the planet. This is partly due to the stunning and diverse underwater habitats available in this country. Whether it is a coral reef, old shipwreck, or underwater cave, you will see amazing sea life and uncommon aquatic plants and animal species. Here are some of the best places to dive and explore life under the sea in Australia:
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, located in South Australia, offers cool waters and is the home of the leafy sea dragon. Other creatures found here include a variety of sponges (white, orange and red), diverse kinds of fish such as boar fish, coral fish, harlequins, and blue devils. This is also one of the very few places where you can find a combination of fur seals from New Zealand and the Australian sea lion. The sea lions are extremely playful, friendly and entertaining underwater creatures. Bear in mind that the leafy sea dragon is quite shy, so you should not move too close to it if you want to enjoy its colourful displays.
Photo: Tungkyhandoko
Byron Bay
At Byron Bay, the cooler waters of the south meet with warm tropical water from the northern part of the country. There are two small islands encompassed by a marine park called Julian Rocks. At Julian Rocks, new divers can learn the basics of diving while the more experienced divers practice their diving skills. Beneath the water, you will see wobbegong sharks, humpbacks, grey nurses and leopard sharks. You will also see may colourful sponges and corals as well as manta rays, sea stars and turtles. To see the leopard sharks, you should come here in mid-summer and you can also see whales during their annual migration from May to September.
Ningaloo Reef
Australia’s largest fringing reef – Ningaloo Reef – is located on the West Coast of the country. This beautiful coral reef stretches for more than 250 kilometres along Northwest Cape. One of the most popular inhabitants of this reef is the whale shark – the world’s biggest fish, which can grow up to 18 metres in length. In addition, you may also see hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, manta rays and humpback whales. To see the whale sharks, you should endeavour to come here between March and June when they draw close to the reef in search of food.
Photo: Shek Graham
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in Australia and indeed the entire world. Renowned as the world’s largest reef system (even visible from outer space), this expansive system has several popular dive spots including Lizard Island in the northern part and Heron Island and Osprey Reef in the south. If you dive at Cod Hole on Lizard Island, where beginners love to dive, you can see white tip reef sharks, giant clams, potato cods, feather stars and manta rays.
Off the coast of Heron Island in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, you may take a brief ride from the jetty and gain access to about 30 popular dive spots including the Blue Pools, Heron Bommie and the Coral Cascades. Underneath the water, you will have a chance to see some stunning coral banks, tunnels and overhangs as well as turtles, octopus, moray eels, parrot fish and wobbegong sharks.
Yongala Shipwreck
The SS Yongala was caught up in a cyclone over a century ago in 1911. Over 120 people died on the shipwreck at that time. But today, this shipwreck has become one of the most popular diving spots on earth. Located about 90 kilometres south of Townsville, you can see how bustling marine life has transformed this shipwreck into a unique habitat for various species of aquatic plants and animals. For instance, you will see extremely bright coral species, many snakes, eels, clown fish, sharks, turtles, and potato cod. In the winter months, you can spot humpback whales and manta rays while in summer you will see a large school of bait fish. Virtually every diver who comes here wants to return to explore this amazing dive site again.
Photo: Chris Davey
Conclusion
These are just a few of the unique dive spots in Australia. All around the continent from the north to the east to the south to the west and then up north again, you can never run out of amazing diving spots.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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