The Great Barrier Reef near Cairns stands out as a world-class destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Diving in this area, adventurers can explore an underwater world filled with an array of features such as dramatic caves, tunnels, caverns, and shipwrecks. The reef’s wall descends to around 1000 meters, dotted with pinnacles and swim-throughs that create a mesmerizing landscape beneath the waves.

Marine life around Cairns is exceptionally diverse and colorful. Divers can expect encounters with various species of sharks, including grey reef, white tip reef, and silver tip sharks, as well as a plethora of other marine creatures. The waters teem with colorful gorgonian fans, whips, soft corals, and the unique flame file clam, also known as the ‘disco clam’, famous for the flashing light that seems to pulse along its mantle. The area is also home to diver-sized potato cod, stonefish, scorpionfish, octopus, clown anemone fish, turtles, and countless schools of fish, making every dive an unforgettable experience.

What To Expect

Scuba Diving

In Cairns, Australia, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef presents an adventure through breathtaking underwater landscapes, featuring caves, shipwrecks, and deep-sea pinnacles. Visibility extends to 100 feet, showcasing vibrant marine life, including sharks, colorful corals, and the unique ‘disco clam’. The reef teems with turtles, octopus, and diverse fish populations, offering an immersive experience into the aquatic world. Divers seeking to refine their skills can take advantage of courses in deep diving, night diving, and buoyancy control, enhancing their exploration of this underwater paradise.

You might see: 

• Grey Reef Sharks
• White Tip Reef Sharks
• Silver Tip Sharks
• Diver-sized Potato Cod
• Flame File Clam (‘disco clam’)
• Stonefish
• Scorpionfish
• Octopus
• Clown Anemone Fish
• Turtles

Recommended Specialty Courses

• Boat Diving
• Shark Ecology
• Photo & Video
• Night & Limited Visibility
• Deep Diving
• Perfect Buoyancy