Hi
If you are planning on being around the Gold Coast/Brisbane area...
Juilian Rocks - Byron Bay is a great dive I would go with Blue Bay they run a bigger boat than Sundive and you stay out for a double dive. Welcome to Blue Bay Divers - Byron Bay's Most Comfortable Dive and Snorkel Boat Very relaxed professional operation (and I do no and have used Sundive and Byron Bay dive centre)
Given the time of year you still may Leopard Sharks and Mata Rays, there may be Gray Nurse sharks possible just a bit early.
Flat Rock and Manta Bommie - Point Lookout Stradbroke Island Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre : Stradbroke Island :: Learn to Dive - Online Open Water Course
Given the time of year you still may Leopard Sharks and Mata Rays, there may be Gray Nurse sharks possible just a bit early.
Flinders Reef - off Brisbane there are a number of local operators that dive here (I haven't used than as I have my own boat for this dive) typically on weekends. Go Dive run Fridays Scuba Dive Brisbane | Go Dive Brisbane | Learn To Scuba Dive | PADI Dive Shop and are a good shop. Go Dive may also run to some more remote sites that are not dived a lot. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...AQ&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=flinders+reef+moreton+bay
Should see good coral, lost of fish and turtles.
Further down the coast at south west rocks is a spectacular dive Fish Rock Cave Fish Rock Cave - Dive Fish Rock with the South West Rocks Dive Centre Australia.
Probably see Gray Nurse possible hammer head sharks.
At Sunshine Coast (Mooloolaba) just north of Brisbane, if you feel like a wreck dive (sunk navy ship), on the ex-HMAS Brisbane. I have dived with Sun Reef a few times they were good http://www.sunreef.com.au/dive-the-ex-hmas-brisbane-hmas-brisbane-wreck-dive/ there is also http://scubaworld.com.au/dive-sites/dive-hmas-brisbane/ also a good operator.
There is also some great coral of Mooloolaba, on the outer Gnearings, about a 20minute boat trip. The operator has to get the site right 'Fairy Gardens'.
I have chartered yachts in the Whitsundays a number of times, there are some okay dive sites but really it is best snorkelled. The better dive sites are towards the top (of the main group of islands) whilst Whitehaven Beach is to the central/south. Just north of Whitehaven Beach is Boarder Island, there is some okay snorkelling on the north side. The islands are not coral clays, they are rock with some coral fringe. Whitehaven beach is spectacular but it is a big trip to see a white beach
Great coral can be found at Heron island. There is accommodation on the island. http://diveadventures.com.au/pages/destinations/Australia/heron.htm. I have dived this reef system but only from a 70foot yacht that no longer operates in the area.
I have dived out of Cairns many years ago and was not impressed with the sites, over dived, broken coral and limited fish. We dived two days then just snorkelled, not worth gearing-up. You need to be sure that the operator is taking you to a good site!
Re the Wetsuit I would consider a 5mm. I wear a 5mm (Johns and Jacket) all year. If you get a bit warm just let some water in. We may be soft but I prefer not to be cold!
If you are planning on being around the Gold Coast/Brisbane area...
Juilian Rocks - Byron Bay is a great dive I would go with Blue Bay they run a bigger boat than Sundive and you stay out for a double dive. Welcome to Blue Bay Divers - Byron Bay's Most Comfortable Dive and Snorkel Boat Very relaxed professional operation (and I do no and have used Sundive and Byron Bay dive centre)
Given the time of year you still may Leopard Sharks and Mata Rays, there may be Gray Nurse sharks possible just a bit early.
Flat Rock and Manta Bommie - Point Lookout Stradbroke Island Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre : Stradbroke Island :: Learn to Dive - Online Open Water Course
Given the time of year you still may Leopard Sharks and Mata Rays, there may be Gray Nurse sharks possible just a bit early.
Flinders Reef - off Brisbane there are a number of local operators that dive here (I haven't used than as I have my own boat for this dive) typically on weekends. Go Dive run Fridays Scuba Dive Brisbane | Go Dive Brisbane | Learn To Scuba Dive | PADI Dive Shop and are a good shop. Go Dive may also run to some more remote sites that are not dived a lot. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=...AQ&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=flinders+reef+moreton+bay
Should see good coral, lost of fish and turtles.
Further down the coast at south west rocks is a spectacular dive Fish Rock Cave Fish Rock Cave - Dive Fish Rock with the South West Rocks Dive Centre Australia.
Probably see Gray Nurse possible hammer head sharks.
At Sunshine Coast (Mooloolaba) just north of Brisbane, if you feel like a wreck dive (sunk navy ship), on the ex-HMAS Brisbane. I have dived with Sun Reef a few times they were good http://www.sunreef.com.au/dive-the-ex-hmas-brisbane-hmas-brisbane-wreck-dive/ there is also http://scubaworld.com.au/dive-sites/dive-hmas-brisbane/ also a good operator.
There is also some great coral of Mooloolaba, on the outer Gnearings, about a 20minute boat trip. The operator has to get the site right 'Fairy Gardens'.
I have chartered yachts in the Whitsundays a number of times, there are some okay dive sites but really it is best snorkelled. The better dive sites are towards the top (of the main group of islands) whilst Whitehaven Beach is to the central/south. Just north of Whitehaven Beach is Boarder Island, there is some okay snorkelling on the north side. The islands are not coral clays, they are rock with some coral fringe. Whitehaven beach is spectacular but it is a big trip to see a white beach
Great coral can be found at Heron island. There is accommodation on the island. http://diveadventures.com.au/pages/destinations/Australia/heron.htm. I have dived this reef system but only from a 70foot yacht that no longer operates in the area.
I have dived out of Cairns many years ago and was not impressed with the sites, over dived, broken coral and limited fish. We dived two days then just snorkelled, not worth gearing-up. You need to be sure that the operator is taking you to a good site!
Re the Wetsuit I would consider a 5mm. I wear a 5mm (Johns and Jacket) all year. If you get a bit warm just let some water in. We may be soft but I prefer not to be cold!
