Protected on three sides by land, Kirra Reef is great for diving nearly all year round.Īfter sinking in 1887, the 64 metres long Scottish Prince wreck lies 800 metres from the beach near the Southport Spit. Drift from rock to rock, investigate each nook and cranny, and check out the macro life that inhabit the reef. Over 100 metres in length it’s home to soft corals, anemones and a wide variety of fish. Right at the southern tip of the Gold Coast, Kirra Reef consists of scattered rocky outcrops covered in kelp fronds. There are sections as shallow as five metres and other sections that drop to depths of 24 metres, meaning there’s multiple environments to explore. Palm Beach Reef offers varying depths, perfect for any diver. You’ll also find blue wrasse and parrotfish in the plenty.
Float over beautiful, colourful coral and reef fish and keep your eye out for stingrays, leopard sharks and the odd bronze whaler. Palm Beach Palm Beach reef is a fantastic place to snorkel and dive, although it’s not for the faint-hearted. Once there you’ll find glorious beaches along with an abundance of marine life, including temperate, subtropical and tropical species of fish, rays, eels and octopus. Just a few hundred metres from the mainland, Cook Island Marine Reserve can be reached by boat from Coolangatta and the ride takes about ten minutes. The locals have even named the turtles that frequent there, so keep an eye out for Crush, Cookie and Picasso.
Good for both introductory dives and snorkeling it is a popular spot with dive and snorkel companies.Ĭook Island Cook Island has plenty of fish life but it’s most famous for its turtles. Gently dips to 11 metres alongside a rocky wall, producing an excellent array of small colourful fish. Shallow water finds include seahorses and anemone fish. On the outside of this wall is the only area where you’re likely to see whaler sharks.Īn ideal introduction to scuba diving it offers a gradual decline to 5 metres. Great for observing schools of pelagic fish which pass along the coast. Close to the wall is ideal for beginners. Water clarity will depend on wind direction.Įntered from the shore at the Short Pipe it offers a huge diversity of fish. Being an estuary entrance, the best time to snorkel or dive is on the top of the high tide when the current is least and the water is clearest. The Gold Coast Seaway can be divided into four main areas.
There’s also parking 10 metres from the entry point. All of the sites have a water temperature of between 18-27 degrees celsius and while climatic sea conditions alter accessibility throughout the year, there’s always a site to enjoy. With five core dive sights, the Gold Coast Seaway is a local’s favourite. Here’s our pick of the best places to check out! The climate, the temperature of the water, the abundance of reef and fish - it’s a recipe made in diving heaven. The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s premier dive locations, be it for scuba diving or snorkelling.
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