Scuba Diving Coffs Harbour, NSW

A small continent known for its marvelous coastlines and pristine beaches, Australia is a paradise for scuba divers around the world. Famous for the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, Australia boasts of over a hundred exquisite diving sites. Some of these marvelous diving sites can be found in the picturesque city of Coffs Harbour.

A small coastal city in New South Wales, Coffs Harbour has become one of the most touristy places in Australia. The place's ideal northeastern location gives it the best of both temperate and tropical ocean waters. Coffs Harbour is blessed with a wonderfully diverse marine life, which makes it a dreamland for divers. This is also the only place in Australia where one can find the Eastern Highlands or the Great Dividing Range meeting the vast Pacific Ocean.

Coffs Harbour is also well-known in Australia for its prosperous banana industry. As a matter of fact, one of the city's biggest tourist attractions is the Big Banana, a building constructed in the shape of banana. Coffs Harbour is also near other well-known tourist destinations like the Muttonbird Island, a nature reserve for the famous Wedge-tailed Shearwaters.

However, the real tourist magnet of Coffs Harbour is its mind-blowing underwater flora and fauna. A true Coffs Harbour experience involves taking a plunge in the azure water and admiring the fabulous Australian marine life. One of the best diving sites is the Solitary Islands, which is located just south of the Great Barrier Reef. Solitary Islands is comprised of five islands, three pinnacles, and several shallow-water reefs. Underwater, Solitary Islands' terrain is made up of an exciting surfeit of gutters, boulders, valleys, kelp forests, and caves. Just some of the fascinating marine life that can be found here are manta rays, giant cuttlefishes, Grey Nurse sharks, Leopard sharks, White-tip Reef sharks, turtles, boxer crabs, and other interesting sea animals.

Apart from the Solitary Islands, other places worth visiting in Coffs Harbour are the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, the Clog Barn, and George's Gold Mine. Shopaholics can head to Lake Russel Gallery, where you can buy excellent craftwork and other things. The Pet Porpoise Pool Oceanarium is the perfect destination for visiting families with kids. The place features dolphin and seal shows that will surely delight the little ones. Tourists can also visit the Clog Barn, a miniature Dutch village and go aboard the Glenreagh Mountain Railway. Other things that should not be missed in Coffs Harbour are the Easter Fishing Classic, an exciting event for fishing junkies, and the Coffs Coast Food and Wine Festival.

Dive Sites

Dive Site: SOUTH SOLITARY ISLAND, Famous for Grey nurse sharks at the Shark Gutters site
Depth: 5-30 metres
Suited For: Beginners
Marine life: Grey nurse sharks, manta rays
Rating: *** 1/2
Getting there: Reached by boat and is about 50 minutes from the Coffs Harbour. Best time for diving is January to Arpil. To see Manta rays come Marh-April, Humpback Whales June-August

Dive Site: BLACK ROCK
Depth: 5-25 metres
Suited For: Beginners
Marine life: Blue gropers, wobbegongs, grey sharks
Rating: ***
Getting there: Reached by boat and is about 40 minutes from the Coffs Harbour.