Cairns Diving

Diving holidays in Cairns

Cairns, in the state of Queensland on Australia’s northwestern coast, is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is known world-wide for offering underwater vistas unmatched by anything else in the oceans. And Cairns is the most convenient of Australia’s large cities to the Great Barrier Reef, making it a magnet for both casual and hardcore divers. You can fly directly to Cairns’s international airport from almost anywhere in the world, so you can get right into your diving holiday.

Besides the unique and fragile beauty of the coral formations that make up the reef, it is home to a diversity of sea life you will find nowhere else. Anemones, sea turtles, humpback and other whales, seahorses, rays and skates, sea snakes, sharks, and over 1,500 species of fish live in or visit the reef.

There are numerous tourist agencies in Cairns that arrange trips to the Reef, both boat and diving. Many of these agencies will also provide instruction and certification in snorkeling or scuba diving for novices. And there is no better place to learn and gain an appreciation for the beauty and possibilities of diving than the tropical waters of the reef.

Serious divers will want to investigate the “liveaboard” boats, which depart Cairns and stay out on the reef for anywhere from overnight to up to a week. If you want to stay out even longer, some agencies will arrange private charter boats for you. On these boats, you can spend as much time in the water as you want, so you can get the maximum diving time out of your vacation. The liveaboards are also ideal if you like night diving, allowing you to see the reef in a totally new way.

The sheer variety of experiences available on the reef can be overwhelming, even for experienced divers, so think about what you want to get out of your Cairns diving trip and choose carefully. Cairns dive agencies offer expeditions to view particular species up close (whales, sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays in particular). You can also choose trips to popular areas of the reef, including coral-overgrown wrecks, the Coral Sea, and the Cod Hole, home to massive schools of fish. Even if you’re not a certified diver, you can still enjoy snorkeling around these exotic locations.

A Cairns diving holiday will be an experience you remember and treasure for the rest of your life. Call or go online today to find a travel agency that can set you up with a package that meets your needs.