Lady Elliot Island Diving

Lady Elliot Island is the most southern coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef where you can easily access this natural wonder of the world for yourself in many different ways. Located meters from the shoreline is some of the world’s richest marine eco-systems that provide some amazing snorkelling, swimming and diving adventures that everyone can enjoy. Lady Elliot Island is a true island paradise that is popular for families, honeymooners, business people, backpackers and international travellers.

This spectacular dive site is over 3000 years old and is home to over 57 species of birds, nesting sea turtles and the most amazing underwater coral reefs and marine life that you can get up close and personal with. The coral cay that surrounds Lady Elliot Island is forever growing Lady Elliot Island, on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, appeals to all scuba divers. Perhaps it could be for the ease of diving as most dives are shore dives with just a short walk or swim over the coral shelf and then into the coral wonderland. Or maybe it is the possibility of 40m visibility or is it Lady Elliot’s reputation for manta rays that frequent these waters.

There are 19 dive sites including Lighthouse Bommie, Coral Gardens, Moiri and Shark Pool with excellent visibility ranging from 15 to 40 metres. You can explore the shipwreck in the waters off the island where Manta Rays are regularly seen. A fully equipped dive centre on the island caters for all interests and abilities, offering resort dives for the beginner through to advanced dives for the qualified.

Most diving is done around the coral gardens at the northern end of the island. This area contains almost every imaginable type of coral and coral formation. Small caves that are home to crayfish, canyons that leave a diver wondering what is over the other side, overhangs hiding huge gropers and small swim-throughs giving a feeling of cave-diving.

The area is around 10 to 15 metres deep, giving an easy and relaxing dive! The promise of always seeing at least one turtle in the coral gardens is guaranteed and with the array of other marine life, they are simply too numerous to mention them all, but expect to see Coral trout, huge batfish, coral fish swimming in pairs, the strange shaped flute fish, and the ever present moon wrasse and sergeant majors.

Drift diving and night dives are also possible while you are holidaying on Lady Elliot Island with the usual drift dive taking up to around one hour as you drift between the Lighthouse Bommie and the coral gardens in the south-west corner. Night dives are for the more experienced diver and it all depends on the tide and the moon.

People of all ages can experience the wonder and natural beauty that constantly surrounds Lady Elliot Island, so why don’t you call us today to discuss the many possibilities for diving when you are holidaying in paradise.