Scuba Diving Cairns, Queensland

To most scuba divers, Cairns and Port Douglas of Queensland, Australia symbolise some of the world's most exotic and outstanding snorkeling and diving destinations in the world. With the Great Barrier Reef found in the waters of these two famed Queensland towns, an exciting and memorable diving experience awaits divers and tourists who plan on discovering the underwater treasure and marine life of Cairns and Port Douglas.

Cairns and Port Douglas are among the oldest towns situated in North Queensland. These cities are also well-regarded for being two of the best spots to access the diving site of the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas, in particular, was a boom town in Queensland back in 1880 for its major contributions in the goldfield industry. As Port Douglas continuously develops, the town is now a popular diving and tourist destination among adventurous travelers.

Cairns, on the other hand, serves as the major business center of the Far North Queensland region. Known as the fourth most famous destination of international tourists in Australia, Cairns is the diving haven for most professional and recreational divers because of its close range to the Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, other recreational water activities of the city include snorkeling and whitewater rafting.

As mentioned earlier, Cairns and Port Douglas are two of the closest Queensland towns to the famous Great Barrier Reef diving destination. This renowned site is acclaimed as the premier diving area among other scuba diving spots in Australia. A host to over 20,000 sea birds, the Great Barrier reef diving area holds a fragile and unique ecosystem. Divers and snorkelers love exploring the area because it is abundant with spectacular underwater reefs, teeming with glowing colored corals and numerous variations of vibrant tropical fish. Moreover, the Great Barrier Reef is also known for being one of the Seven Wonders of the world with its spectacular clear warm waters and breathtaking line of reefs. The diving site's combination of unspoilt rainforest and glorious weather really sets a view of one wondrous diving paradise.

Aside from the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns and Port Douglas also have great reserve attractions like the Daintree rainforest. This excellent tourist spot is among the most beautiful and the most diverse spots of pure nature in the world with varied range of animals and plants surrounding the area. Indeed, Cairns and Port Douglas are two of the most preferred destinations in Australia that are close to excellent diving sites and superb tourist attractions.

Dive Sites

Dive Site: MILNE REEF
Depth: 15-30 metres
Suited For: Advanced
Terrain: Flat bottom
Marine life: Sharks, barracuda, gather at the Three Sisters. Whale Bommies provides haven for cuttlefish, colorful chaetodon and lion fish
Rating: ****
Getting there: Reached by boat and is situated 38 nautical miles (64 kilometees, 3 hours) from the coast of Cairns.

Dive Site: THETFORD REEF
Depth: 10-20 metres
Suited For: Advanced
Terrain: Slopping bottom, bomboras
Marine life: tubeworms, shrimps, crabs. Very large bommies
Rating: ***
Getting there: Reached by boat and is situated 38 nautical miles (64 kilometees, 3 hours) from the coast of Cairns.

Dive Site: MOORE REEF
Depth: 10-15 metres
Suited For: Advanced
Terrain: Slopping bottom, bomboras, flat bottom
Marine life: Coral gardens
Rating: ** 1/2
Getting there: Reached by boat and is situated 38 nautical miles (64 kilometees, 3 hours) from the coast of Cairns.

Dive Site: SAXON REEF
Depth: 20-30 metres
Suited For: Beginners
Terrain: Swim-throughs and gullies, Small caves and gutters cut through the reef.
Marine life: Turtles, reef sharks, barracudas,
Rating: *** 1/2
Getting there: Reached by boat and is situated 55km, 2 hours from Cairns Harbour.