
OUTER REEF DIVE SITES
PORT DOUGLAS
Being right on the southern end of the world-famous 'Ribbon Reefs', means that when you dive from Port Douglas you are knocking on the door of some of the very best sites to be found on the Great Barrier Reef.
These Outer Reef locations are regularly swept by currents and upwelling from the Coral Sea, bringing with them cooler, deeper and clearer oxygen-rich water; loaded with nutrients. This forms the foundation for the incredible biodiversity found out on the reef, generating ideal conditions for the wide variety of marine organisms that make their home on the coral reef.
With us having the use of a number of dive vessels - whether it's on one of our day trips; scuba diving courses, or Dive Expeditions , you will enjoy the amazing opportunities to dive in a wide variety of spectacular locations. Keep reading about the dive sites we visit below, and we look forward to sharing these fantastic spots with you soon!
DIVE SITES -
AGINCOURT REEF
NORTH BAY
Always a crowd-pleaser from it's shallow coral garden for beginners or a stunning drift along the outer reef wall
STONEHENGE
One of the most incredible sites on the GBR, absolutely loaded with healthy coral. Divers of all levels get a kick out of the awesome swim-thrus, weaving their way through the shallows
NOBODY'S
From it's fish-covered bommie, weaving coral wall; to it's charming 'sandpit', Nobody's is a dive site for all tastes and pleasures
TOTEM
The highlight here is the imposing coral spike rising-up from the sea floor, though due to depth is for certified divers only. Beginners are free to cruise and enjoy the anemone-filled coral garden
ADVANCED BOMMIE
An unforgettable dive site, consisting of 2 huge towers surging-up from the seabed, 40 metres below. The deep gutter which separates the towers, is one of the sharkiest spots we know
THE ROCKS
An nice easy dive for all, with it's coral boulders dotted along the reef, and often a good chance of spotting a friendly reef shark along the way
YOUR PLACE
Once we've had a good look out towards the tip of the reef - sharks maybe? Venture back through the undulating coral structures, but just remember to keep an eye out for turtles...
ANYBODY'S
After we make our way along the amazing wall, wind your way back through the coral-lined alleys which lead-us back to the boat.
PHIL'S BACKSIDE
A cheeky dive spot which offers guilty pleasure.
From it's scattering of deep bommies, through to it's massive coral slope - home to the biggest clams we've ever seen!
BLUE LAGOON
Every once in a while, when the sun;moon and the stars are aligned, we can visit Blue Lagoon.
Largely inaccessible due to it's tricky layout, it's a rare treat when we do get to go here
After earning your entry-level certification, you immediately have access to a wide range of incredible options to further your diving ability and experience. There are Specialty courses, which focus on a particular type of diving such as 'Deep Diving'; however, if you want to dip your toes into a few different pools, then the best way to experience a variety of dives, and learn a few of the basic skills for these, is by taking an Advanced course right here on the Great Barrier Reef, with Scuba IQ.
The training you'll go through on an Advanced course is very different from what you will have done on your Open Water. This is because instead of teaching you how to dive, the idea is to arm you with a whole new set of skills, techniques, and knowledge about various types of diving. Becoming an Advanced Diver is an exciting step, which will allow you to access an array of benefits, as well as improve your diving ability!
DIVE SITES -
OPAL REEF
CATHEDRALS
This site is the 'Blue Lagoon' of Opal reef - rarely visited due to the need for perfect conditions. If we do get here, you will be amazed by it's colours and endless swim-thrus.
SNO BOMMIE
A popular spot on our private charters or as a lazy drift dive back along the inner slope of North Opal reef. we would say it's sharky but also with plenty of other action to take-in.
SNO
Pretty much the perfect dive site with something for everyone. Cruisy shallows for beginners; walls and bommies for certified divers; sharks, turtles, lions, tigers and bears - Oh my!
NORTH SNO
Less dive sit, more moonscape. Stunning open topography that just unfolds before you, typically with excellent visibility of 30 metres+.
Canyons, walls and slopes abound.
SPLIT BOMMIE
A peach of a site and one of our favourites. The deep water and wide open spaces suggest "shark", but in fact this is a real hotspot for macro, including nudibranchs and tiny crustaceans
THE WEDGE
Located on the southern edge of the channel which separates the bottom end of Opal reef from the main section; we have one of the best sites in terms of coral and fish life.
BASHFUL BOMMIE
The octopus' garden Ringo wrote about back in the day, complete with giant clams; incredible corals, and a small but spectacular wall leading to a sneaky swim-thru. No yellow submarine sadly.
BLUE BUOY
We'll be honest, Blue Buoy at first glimpse doesn't look like much but once you get to the good bits (spoiler alert - there are loads); then it will be easy to see why we love it here.
WILD WEST
A small but charming spot which is best enjoyed in the shallows where we often find cuttlefish, stingrays, turtles and Nemo! Can also be done by drifting around the corner from 'Blue Buoy'
ACROPOLIS
Heading-out from the shallow coral theatre, we follow the wall as it leads around towards the other sites found on the northern side of the channel. A great spot for nudibranch hunting