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The Great Barrier Reef is the most popular diving destination in Australia.
Cod Hole
This site, often described as one of the best dive spots on the Great Barrier Reef, is known for its resident family of huge potato cod which enjoy protected status in the area, & have made this small section of the reef their home. They range in size from 50 to 120 pounds. The ideal scuba diving depth at the Cod Hole varies from 10 to 20 meters on a sloping bottom that is dotted with high profile coral heads. Avg Depth: 30-35meters. Cool things to see: Potato Cod · Camouflage Cod · Trigger Fish · White Tip Reef Sharks · Maori Wrasse · Coral Trout · Trevally
Pixie's Pinnacle
As the name suggests, this dive site is literally a pinnacle of coral rising up from the bottom (30m below) to one meter below the surface. Being only 7m across, the small dive site is chock full of aquatic life.
Avg Depth: 20m Cool things to see: · Anemone Fish · Anthias Fish · Lion Fish · Gorgonian Fan Coral · Peacock Grouper · Nudibranchs · Soft Sponges
Challenger Bay
It's an excellent night dive, as most of the abundant night time marine life is above the 10m mark.
Avg Depth: 8-10m Cool things to see: · White-tip Reef Sharks · Parrot Fish sleeping · Feather Worms · Feather Stars · Puffer Fish · Coral Polyps feeding · Christmas Tree Worms
Clam Gardens
A great dive site that the depth reach to 35m on this one. The main reef is replete with Giant Clams (hence the name) up to 2m long. In addition, there are a handful of small caves for the more adventurous divers in the group.
Max Depth: 35m Cool things to see: · Giant Clams · Cuttle Fish · Blue Tangs · Huge Staghorn Corals · Parrot Fish
Temple of Doom
A large, kidney-shaped Bommie, the Temple of Doom provides visual excitement for all types of divers. At the lower depths, look for large pelagics, anemone fish, turtles, and sharks. Closer to the surface, you should find schools of fusiliers, moorish idols, butterfly fish, and angel fish. And in the winter time, you might be lucky enough to see a Minke Whale!
Avg Depth: 20m Cool things to see: · Surgeon Fish · Blue Fin Trevalley · Yellow Goat Fish · Sea Squirts · Trumpet Fish · Feather Stars · Bat Fish · Flat Worms
Steve's Bommie
Steve's Bommie is a large pinnacle surrounded by a variety of pelagics, anthias, and gorgeous corals. Steve, an engineer on a dive boat who was particularly fond of this site, passed away in a tragic motorbike accident; the Bommie is named for him. There is a plaque in his memory at about 20m. This is one of the most spectacular dive sites in this area.
Avg Depth: 15m Cool things to see: · Oceanic Barracuda · Clown Fish · Wide-eyed Trevalley · Lion Fish · Yellow-tailed Goat Fish · Regal Angel Fish · Tomato Wrasse
The Cathedrals
Named due to the appearance of Cathedral spires when viewed from depth looking up to the surface.Generally done as a deep dive 40m - 50m the achievable depth is unlimited as this wall slopes away to 1000m (3250ft).Strange place has fresh water springs that bubble up from god knows where in the wet season. Scientists have done tests and proven the water to be fresh but cant be sure how it gets there.
Dynamite Pass
Dynamite Pass is a narrow channel one mile north of the Cod Hole. The channel is approximately 100 meters wide & 30 meters deep in the center. The sides rise vertically to within a meter of the surface. This site is usually explored as a drift dive which can last 30 to 40 minutes. The sides of the channel are loaded with soft corals, hard corals & seafans. These strong currents bring rich nutrients to feed the abundant coral formations & marine animals resulting in a greater concentration of reef life. Sharks & Manta Rays are commonly seen cruising with the currents so this makes an exceptional drift. Avg Depth: 8-10m cool things to see:· Parrotfish sleeping · Turtles · Sea Cucumbers · Reef Sharks · Sea Snakes · Slipper Lobster · Blue Spotted Lagoon Ray
North Horn
North Horn situated at Osprey Reef adventure. This site is best known for its resident population of White tip reef sharks. It has been used as a shark feeding site for 15 years. Natural underwater amphitheatre allows divers to sit 20m deep to watch the shark feed. Max Depth: 40m Cool things to see: · White Tip Reef Shark · Grey Whaler Shark · Silver Tip Shark · Hammerhead Shark · Giant Potato Cod · Moray Eel · Huge Soft Corals
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