Diving Byron Bay

[TSandM]

My husband and I just came back from a two-week vacation trip to Australia. We fell in love with the country, which is incredibly beautiful and inhabited by the warmest, friendliest people. At the end of the trip, we spent four days in Byron Bay, the easternmost part of the continent, and dove the Julian Rocks Marine Park. It was an awe-inspiring diving experience . . . the profusion and density of marine life was unbelievable. We stayed in a very nice, rustic B&B that caters to divers and doesn't mind wet neoprene everywhere.

You can read a much fuller account of the trip, with photographs, here. (Please forgive the fact that there are places in the text where it says such and such a picture is to the left, and it isn't . . . when we uploaded the meticulously arranged file I made, the formatting went AWOL. You'll just have to try to figure out which picture goes with what . . .)

Anybody who goes to Australia should consider diving here. It was really great.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Wow - great trip report! Glad you had a great time in Oz. I’m planning on diving my way along the east coast early next year – so you’ve really whetted my appetite for Byron. Sounds like a really interesting mix of tropical and temperate species. I’ve tried to dive there once before – but the seas were too rough to get out to the Rocks: however your site has reminded me thats its another 'must do' dive. Thanks for the links.

BTW: anyone dived Fish Rocks between Byron and Sydney - and how does that compare? Any other 'must dos' on this patch of coast?

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[boxcar]

Good One TSandM,

Loved the report. Have been to Byron and Planula this year as well and would recommend them. Sundive is great to dive with. Glad you enjoyed the trip.

 

[JulieannevZ]

I love Byron Bay too. It's one of my favourite spots.

Great Report and beautiful photos you took too. It's great that you went there. Isn't it beautiful from the Lighthouse as well?

 

[TSandM]

Yeah, in or out of the water, it's a beautiful place. Add in great restaurants and a lovely place to stay, and what more could anybody want? Oh, yeah, great DIVING!!

 

[LunaticFringe]

You're report has intrigued me. A friend and I are going to Oz in Jan'06 and were looking to dive. We were going to do a liveaboard but they are quite far away from where we're flying in and time is an issue. I'm wondering: What is/would the weather be like in Byron Bay during the end of Jan/beginning of Feb? We're considering this instead of a liveabord because it means less travel and more fun.

 

[DiveTub]

Jan and Feb is Hot.
I usually dive in just a 3mm shorty or board shorts here in Byron
water temp around 25c

The problem with diving up north out of Cairns and on the Barrier Reef is that is Cyclon season. the chance of Big swells and trips being pulled.

Cheers
Chris

 

[DiveTub]

Oh yes check out
http://www.diveoz.com.au

for all your Australian Diving Information.

Cheers
Chris

 

[Phil S]

Inquiry re Fish Rock. fish rock is located at South West Rocks, about four hours drive south of Byron Bay. Google South West Rocks Dive Centre. Excellent dive spot and probably on a par with Julian Rocks. Great trip would be Fish Rock, Solitary Islands (google dive quest) and Julian rocks.

 

[DiveTub]

Phil
Ahh yes my fav week trip
2-3 Days South West Rocks, 3 Days Solitary islands then home to Byron for some R&R on the local reef. All are fantastic Dive Spots each offereing really different and varied diving. And for anyone wanting to see the North Coast of new South Wales a great trip indeed.

Distances
Brisbane Airport to Byron Bay 2 hour drive
Byron to Coffs 3 hour drive
Coffs to South West Rocks 1.3 hour drive
South West Rocks to Sydney 4.5 hour drive

Cheers
Chris