Australia (Melbourne and Cairns) dive site and dive operator recommendations

[dgpensacola]

Heading for a couple of weeks to Melbourne and Cairns in late September/early October. Looking for recommendations for great dive sites and dive operators in those areas. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

 

[happy-diver]

Just walk down here

The little shack on the edge of the cliff that's where I used to live

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Cheep too!

 

[Seepferdchencam]

What kind of diving do you want to do and how much guidance do you need to do it?

They're very different places. In Melbourne you can expect temperatures anywhere in the 50s depending on where you are in the bay, and slightly warmer outside the heads. At 80ish Cairns will be a bath tub by comparison.

In Cairns you'll want a day boat or liveaboard. Melbourne has great variety and lovely pier diving. See the scuba doctor site guide for an idea.

 

[hotsong]

Heading for a couple of weeks to Melbourne and Cairns in late September/early October. Looking for recommendations for great dive sites and dive operators in those areas. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

For Victoria, I'd recommend Scubabo Scubabo Dive Victoria - Queenscliff & Portsea Dive Charters. Excellent operators.
They run out of Queenscliff, but pickup over on the Portsea side of the bay as well if that's more convenient for where you are staying. Both are about 90mins from the Melbourne CBD.

Most of the diving in Victoria is around the heads of Port Philip Bay. Water will be pretty cold that time of year still.

Good advice above from @Seepferdchencam as well.

 

[happy-diver]

What about Flinders Heads of Westernport Bay

 

[Doc Harry]

Look no further:

Spirit of Freedom – Cairns liveaboard – dive the Great Barrier Reef & Coral Sea

www.spiritoffreedom.com.au

 

[Seepferdchencam]

What about Flinders Heads of Westernport Bay

Flinders Pier is a good spot for Weedy Seadragons. Fishermen love the place so byo cutting device.