Australia is one of the best diving places in the world. Crystal-clear waters, exotic and diverse ocean flora and fauna, and a riot of colours make the trip unforgettable. It is not for nothing that people from all countries are ready to buy tours to Australia and fly halfway across the world to dive into the fantastic underwater world of coral reefs, including the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. With diving opportunities in both winter months and summer months, Australia offers a wealth of opportunities for divers of all experience levels.
Australian Travel Club works with several dive clubs and individual clients and companies interested in diving in Australia and the Pacific. We offer day dive cruises, dive safaris – multi-day cruises with shipboard accommodation, meals and a wide range of day and night dives: reef, wall dives, shipwreck, shark, marine life, drift, coral island holidays and island diving, PADI licence courses, yacht/boat charters with the crew and customised dive programs. With our services, you can explore the SS Yongala, a famous shipwreck, or swim with manta rays and various species of fish. We also offer technical diving courses for those interested in more advanced diving.
Coral Sea and Northern Reefs
The capital of B.B. Reef is Cairns, which has an international airport and local airports. The flight from Sydney is hourstwo. 40 min, and from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it is 1 hour 40 min.
The Most Popular Dive Sites Are:
- Code Hall
- Ribbon Reef
- Lizard Island
- Agincourt Reef
- Sea Reef
- Green and Fitzroy Islands
- Osprey Reef, known for its stunning array of marine species and soft coral formations
We Can Organise:
- Day dive cruises
- PADI licence courses
- Dive safaris – multi-day cruises with accommodation on the ship, meals and a wide range of day and night dives: reef, wall, shipwreck, shark, marine life, drift
- Yacht/boat charter with crew and diving programmes according to your request
For Those Who Want to Combine Diving with Rest and Excursion Programme, We Can Arrange:
- Excursion programme around Australia
- Ukrainian-speaking guides
- International and domestic flights
- Visa to Australia
Contact our offices for information and individual programmes
Voyage Programmes
Barrier Reef Dive Safari from Cairns
Cruise from MIKE BALL, one of Australia’s top dive operators.
Expeditions on the Spoilsport – a modern, comfortable dive boat, the best for trips on the Barrier Reef at Cod Hall—length – 30 metres, speed – 16 knots. The number of passengers is 29. Accommodation is in premium cabins (DBL or TWN) – all facilities; standard (DBL or TWN) – shared facilities; economy (TWN bunks) – shared facilities; budget cabins without windows (Bunk beds).
Expedition Code Hol#1:
Departure Thursdays (4 nights – 3 full days – 14 dives including two night dives) – for experienced divers only
Thursday
Arrival in Cairns around 16.00. Loading luggage onto the vessel and departure at 20.00. Cruise to Ribbon Reefs, where the first stop will be.
Friday
Ribbon Reef #3 – Barracuda Shoals at Steve’s Bommie. Intricate coral gardens and giant tridacnas at Giant Escape.
Saturday
Ribbon Reef #4 – blue stingrays, beautiful corals, fish, eels. Night dives.
Sunday
Ribbon Reef #9, #10 – Code Hall and Lizard Island. Dives along the outer wall of Ribbon Reef numbers 10 & 19 – Pixie’s Wall and Harrier Reef. Watch schools of mackerel hunting fry at Don’s Diner opposite the grand escarpment of flat coral. Night dive at Clam Beds, a coral garden with colourful molluscs and crustaceans. 17.00 – Arrival at Lizard Island.
Monday
Breakfast on board, transfer to the island. Departure from Lizard Island to Cairns. Low flight (700 ft) 150m. Departure at 09.30 am. Arrival in Cairns around 11.00 am. Note that the last dive and flight interval is 16.5 hours, per the rules.
Code Hol Expedition#2:
Departure on Mondays (3 nights – 3 full days – 12 dives including two nights). Suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.
Monday
07.00 – Group collection at Cairns Hotel – Colonial Club. Transfer to Cairns airport—departure to Lizard Island by a small plane flying 300 metres above sea level. Board the boat on Lizard Island. Transfer to the Spoilsport boat. Departure at 10.30 to the world-famous dive site Cod Hall, home to families of Potato Grouper, Big Muren, Guban Napoleon, Coral Salmon and Red Perch. Pixie Pinnacles Night Dive.
Tuesday
Dives along the outer wall of Ribbon Reef #10 & 19 – Pixie’s Wall and Harrier Reef. Watching schools of mackerel hunting fry at Don’s Diner, opposite a grand escarpment of flat coral. Night dive in the Clam Beds, a coral garden with colourful molluscs and crustaceans. In June and July, whales can be seen at this spot.
Wednesday
Ribbon Reef #4 – blue stingrays, beautiful corals, fish, eels. Night Dives.
Thursday morning
The vessel docks at Trinity Warf – Cairns. Breakfast on board. Transfer to hotels.
Spirit of Freedom Cruises (5* Vessel) – Possible Voyage Cruises and Charter Vessel Cod Hole – Ribbon Reefs 3 Days/3 Nights Departure on Mondays – 10 Dives.
Spirit of Freedom (5* speedboat) can accommodate up to 28 people. Length—120 feet, 3 decks, electric stabilisers, silent generators, library, TV, video recorder, DVD, movies, bar. Air conditioners in all rooms with individual temperature control in cabins.
Each cabin has a toilet, shower and air conditioning.
- Two cabins for 4
- Seven cabins for 2 – Twin/Double
- Three cabins for 2 – Queen
Monday
Collect the group at Trinity Wharf at 11.15 a.m. 2 dives on the outer reefs.
Tuesday
Steve’s Boomie, Ribbon Reef, Calm Gardens/Flare Point Gorgonia Wall – 4 dives.
Wednesday
Code Hall, Potato Hole, Dynamite Pass, Lighthouse Boomie, Challenger Bay, Pixie Wall, Watson Bay.
Thursday Morning
Arrival at Lizard Island. You can explore the island, followed by a 10:30 departure to Cairns. Arrive in Cairns around 11:30.
Barrier Reef Islands – Northern Islands
Heron Island is located in the centre of the Great Barrier Reef, which has an advantage over other islands in the same region. The island was declared a National Reserve in 1943. Due to its location in the centre of a dense ring of coral formations, the island is popular with scuba divers. It is the only island in Australia located right on the reef itself. One of its attractions is an underwater room with robust and watertight glass partitions where you can observe marine life. There is an isthmus between the island and the coral reef; walking along will take you directly to the Great Barrier Reef. Various snorkelling programmes are offered, including scuba diving courses with a certificate and night dives.
Lizard Island is a unique spot on the Great Barrier Reef where you will be provided with the most interesting and exciting diving. You can see a variety of corals and all sorts of tropical sea creatures, including giant clams—dive sites: North Point, Cobia Hall, Caves, and Galleries. Dives from 6 to 20 metres deep are possible. You can also dive into Code Hall, Shark Valley, Grottoes, and many other unique sites. Various dive programmes include inner and outer reef dives, 12-hour dive cruises, and night dives.
Whitsunday Islands
Hayman Island is an exclusive holiday in one of the best resorts in the world, one of the prestigious holiday destinations of the golden youth. The photo of the pool on this island has sold numerous copies and has become a symbol of reef holidays. Allow yourself to relax in a substantial crystal-clear pool under the gentle rays of the southern sun and enjoy the absolute tranquillity of shady paths and the lush colours of picturesque tropical landscapes. This island’s natural beauty, refined elegance and unique romance will enchant you. Rooms of various types and chic penthouses are furnished in distinctive colours and different trends. Short dive trips to other places on the reef are possible from the island.
Giant White Shark Dive Safari from Adelaide and Lincoln Harbour
We recommend the Great White Shark Dive for those who have already experienced the unforgettable colours of the reef and for the most intrepid divers.
Great White Shark Expedition—a choice of several itineraries departing once a month during shark season—February—June. The expedition is led by Rodney and Andrew Fox, Australia’s most experienced giant white shark researchers.
Itineraries:
- Adelaide – Adelaide – 8 days/7 nights
- Adelaide – Port Lincoln – 4 days/3 nights
- Port Lincoln – Adelaide – 4 days/4 nights
The Falie is a sailing boat built in Holland. It is 140 feet long and can accommodate a maximum of 14 passengers. It has a large living room and three bathrooms.
- 4x doubles
- 2-x and 4-bed (small)
During the expedition, you will have the unique opportunity to go underwater in a sturdy iron cage and experience being up close and personal with these giant sharks, so-called cage dives. Also, a visit to Neptune Island and the opportunity to meet and photograph the island’s inhabitants, such as sea lions.
Western Australia
One of the most exciting dive sites is Ningaloo Reef, which stretches 260 kilometres along the Cape Range on the tropical West Coast of Australia. This reef is famous for being a unique place to dive and swim with rare marine animals whose appearance off the coast is guaranteed during certain seasons. Whale sharks are the largest fish on earth, reaching up to 18 metres in length. The season is from March to July. At this time, diving tourists from all over the world come to these places to dive with these giants. Despite its monstrous size, the whale shark is considered safe for humans.
The nearest towns with dive centres are Exmouth and Coral Bay. Coral Bay tour Adventures’ cruise is a full day, 08.00-17.00. Small, 16 metres, comfortable vessel, eight divers to 1 instructor, all equipment and meals. She was accompanied by a particular aircraft to locate whale sharks.
What You Need to Know When Planning a Dive Programme to Australia
You must not be a certified diver to experience the underwater world. Depending on your training and wishes, you can start diving from a shallow depth or learn to dive with an instructor. The specially equipped ships have everything you need to ensure you get the most out of your trip. There are instructors on the vessel, and when travelling for a few days, there are courses for those who wish to dive, where you can not only master basic diving skills but also get an international certificate. Those who do not want to scuba dive can snorkel: all the necessary equipment is available. You can also organise your dive tour. By hiring a boat or yacht, explore the lesser-known coral islands and reefs along the coast of Australia or New Zealand and discover a wonderful world of endless natural diversity.
It should be noted that Australia has stringent safety regulations, and you must present a dive certificate. Some cruises are only for certified divers. Therefore, when booking a tour, please tell us if you have an international certificate.
All dive boats are equipped with compressors and have cylinders on board (9, 11, 12 litres). Australia uses standard (American) boogie adapters. Dive computers are available for hire on board the ships (for an additional charge), and wetsuits are also available for hire.
It should be remembered that after diving (especially repeated diving), any flights above 300 metres are strongly discouraged for 24 hours!
When booking a dive cruise, please specify your level of training and equipment requirements. When organising group tours with vessel hire, please book in advance. Large, specially equipped vessels are usually busy on regular cruises and sell out very quickly, often many months in advance, making hiring them as a group impossible. May and November holidays are usually booked one year in advance if it is necessary to charter a vessel for your group fully.
Additional Dive Sites and Experiences
Explore the S.S Yongala, also known as the Yongala Wreck or Yongala Shipwreck, which is located off the coast of Queensland. It is one of the must-visit destinations for wreck dives, providing unforgettable experiences for all divers. During the winter months, you can experience diving with humpback whales at various dive spots.
For those looking for a unique experience, diving with manta rays at Blairgowrie Pier or Busselton Jetty offers incredible marine life encounters. The Coral Coast provides options for liveaboard trips, allowing divers to explore individual reefs and the largest reef systems. In North Queensland, you can visit the Museum of Underwater Art and enjoy diving near pristine waters.
At Lady Musgrave Island and Hook Island, divers can explore coral species, turtle species, and endemic species in turquoise waters. Diving in South West Rocks at Fish Rock Cave or Byron Bay offers stunning underwater landscapes and marine biodiversity, including species of sharks and wobbegong sharks.
Other notable dive spots include Rapid Bay, known for its healthy coral and shallow dive opportunities, and Flinders Pier, offering a variety of macro life. For advanced divers, technical diving courses are available at Port Phillip Heads, known for its challenging underwater cliffs and rocky columns.
With so many diving opportunities across Australia, including the renowned Wolf Rock and Navy Pier, each location provides a wide array of unforgettable experiences. Plan your Australian dive holiday today to explore these diverse and spectacular underwater destinations.
