Travel

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.

With over 7,000 beaches, Australia has more than any other nation. Australia's extensive coastline makes for an unparalleled diversity in terms of both land and ocean climates.

From coral reefs, clown fish and giant turtles on the North Coasts, to the majestic whales, seals and fairy penguins off the temperate Southern Coasts, Australia truly is a scuba divers paradise.

Local Destinations

Queensland

Queensland is Australia's second largest state measuring more than 1.72 million square kilometres, 25% of Australia's land mass, which is four times the size of Japan, nearly six times the size of the UK and more than twice the size of Texas in the US. It is arguably the most ecologically diverse state in Australia, with arid inland cattle grazing environments contrasting sharply with world renowned natural landmarks such as the Daintree rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

Major diving & snorkelling locations:

• Great Barrier Reef
• Heron Island
• Lady Elliot Island
• Liveaboards

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a broad chain of around 2,900 individual reefs and is the Earth's largest structure built by living organisms. It is an incredible ecosystem of unsurpassed marine diversity and presents divers and snorkellers with a vision of natural beauty unmatched anywhere else in the world.

The chains of islands in and around the reef provide further locations of interest for those looking for a tropical getaway as well as diving enthusiasts, including Heron and Lady Elliot Islands.

South Australia

Port Lincoln

Port Lincoln is located on the Spencer Gulf, which empties into the Southern Ocean, the world’s last true marine wilderness. It is home to the most spectacular and rarest of the world’s sea creatures such as the blue whale, giant squid and Australian sea lions.

More importantly, it is the home of the ocean's ultimate predator otherwise known as the White Pointer Shark. There are very few locations in the world where you can access the Great White Shark as they are solitary oceanic creatures mostly inhabiting the open sea.

The Spencer Gulf empties into the mighty Southern Ocean and here the Great White reigns supreme, having no natural enemies other than man. These spectacular fish reside at the top of the food chain and normally feed on whales, seals and sea lions, culling the weak, sick and injured as opportunities present themselves.

Getting There: Port Lincoln is 652 km by road, and 45 minutes by air from Adelaide, South Australia's capital.

Climate: Diving with Great White Sharks is available from August to November & Jan to March of each year. Traveling during these periods will give you the highest probability of encountering these amazing creatures. The water temperature is usually a bit above 16°C (60°F) during the operating season.

Western Australia

A land blessed with spectacular diversity, Western Australia is a place where the deep reds of ancient interior rock formations contrast with the sparkling blue waters of the Indian and Southern Oceans.

The variety of landscapes and the climate in Western Australia means there is always plenty of sunshine, endless blue skies and stunning white sandy beaches making it a perfect year-round destination.

It is not widely known that Western Australia possesses some of the best reef and wreck diving in the whole country, including two deliberately sunk Australian Navy frigates (HMAS Swan and HMAS Perth) in the South of the state, and incredible reef diving in the North of the state which rivals that of the Great Barrier Reef.

International Destinations

East Timor

Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor, became the world’s newest, independent, democratic nation, in May 2002. Situated north west of Darwin, between Australia and Indonesia, East Timor is already beginning to draw small numbers of travelers to the island. With its beautiful, unspoiled beaches, world class scuba diving, spectacular landscapes and rich history, it is easy to see why.

Fiji

Fiji is made up of 300 islands dotted across 200,000 square miles of the South West Pacific, offering visitors a wide range of holiday experiences. The Fiji Islands are known for their palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforests with cascading waterfalls and spectacular underwater world, teeming with a diversity of fish and corals. The Fijian people welcome visitors with a genuine smile and friendly greeting word “BULA” (meaning "life" or "good health") heard throughout the islands.

The range of accommodation varies throughout the islands and caters for all tastes and budgets, including “eco-friendly" hideaways, small family hotels, large resorts & romantic, exclusive retreats.

The tropical climate is ideal for a wide range of water sports. These magical islands offer some of the best snorkelling and diving in the South Pacific, as well as the opportunity to experience the traditional culture of this tropical wonderland.

Malaysia

Malaysia comprises of two bodies of land, forming a tropical archipelago of some of the most picturesque islands on Earth. Sitting right at the heart of South-East Asia, the two lands are seperated by the clear, warm waters of the South China Sea. Peninsula Malaysia is home to the capital, Kuala Lumpur. This vibrant city is a mixture of western influences and eastern cultures and a shoppers paradise.

Borneo (Sabah): The State of Sabah, sits at the tip of the island of Borneo. Sabah is considered to be one of the most biologically rich regions on the planet. Lapped by the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east, Sabah is covered in lush rainforests with an unsurpassed collection of plants and animal species.

Off the coast of Sabah lie the neighbouring islands of Sipidan, the crown jewel of Malaysian diving, Mabul, Kapalai, Labuan, Lankayan and Layang-Layang, all of which could be on the worlds "best dive sites" list.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, situated north of Australia and south of the Equator, is the tail end of a string of islands spilling down from South East Asia into the Pacific. Papua New Guinea comprises of a remarkable collection of islands, atolls and coral reefs scattered around it's coastline. A land of natural wilderness, breathtaking landscapes & fascinating flora and fauna. A land of adventure, mystery, lost cultures, tropical jungles and high mountain ranges. Not to mention spectacular scuba diving sites.

Many relics from World War 2 remain, both on land and underwater, providing a great opportunity to scuba divers to explore famous ships and aircraft upclose.

The main destinations are New Britain Province (Rabaul, Walindi & Hoskins), New Ireland Province (Kavieng) & Madang. Papua New Guinea is also home to several liveaboard dive vessels that conduct diving expeditions to the more remote wreck diving and snorkelling sites.

Tonga

Tonga is a tiny island kingdom left behind by the hustle and bustle of the modern world. In Tonga you will experience unspoilt views that have pleasured many people over many years. Tonga is the only remaining Polynesian Kingdom and is not a mass destination like Fiji or Hawaii. With Tonga’s great aquatic life, you are sure to gain a better appreciation of the magic that lies beneath. It is one of the only places in the world where you can dive with whales.