As the worlds first floating reef, Wonder Reef is a purpose built artificial reef, located approximately 2.5km offshore from Main Beach and about 1.5km due-east from the Scottish Prince Shipwreck and also referred to as the Gold Coast Dive Attraction. The site consists of 9 twirling steel structures, anchored to the ocean floor, creating a 32,000m3 marine habitat. The top of the structures are in 12m of water, anchored to the ocean floor in 30m depth. The reef is designed to attract marine life over the years to come.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 12m to 30m
• Visibility: 5m 15mCurrent: None to mild at times
• Marine Life: Yet to be seen🙂 
• Topography: Artifical reef modules
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

The historic wreck of the Scottish Prince is one of our favorite dive sites. The Scottish Prince is approximately 50m long and 16m wide as she rests on the ocean floor in only 14m of water. The wreck is located just 600m offshore from Main Beach, in the immediate vicinity of Wonder Reef. After more than 100 years in the ocean, the prince transformed into an amazing artificial reef surrounded by insane amounts of marine life.  It is simply an amazing dive that will not disappoint any diver. The Scottish Prince, inbound from Glasgow run aground in 1887 and sunk 3 days later.

The Scottish Prince is a heritage protected site so as per standard diving practice, only leave bubbles!

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 6m to 14m
• Visibility: 5m to 25m
• Current: None but surge at times
• Marine Life: Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Ship wreck
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast most beautiful and largest reef system! Palm Beach Reef is an absolute hidden treasure, largely unprompted. The natural reef is about 900m+ long and about 400m wide and is divided in several individual dive sites. Every summer, between November and May, the Leopard Sharks are visiting in numbers. Some sections of the reef have significant soft and hard coral growth, an underwater playground usually not expected in this location. Sites at Palm Beach Reef include the Gutters, Clown City, Morray Reef, the Canyon and the Nursery.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 6m to 22m
• Visibility: 5m 25m
• Current: None
• Marine Life: Leopard Sharks, Turtles, Wobbegong Sharks, Nudis, Tropical Fish, Rays and more
• Topography: Rock formation, rises, bommies, trenches and cliffs with sandy patches in between
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

Matt’s very own exploration site is Migaloo Reef. It all started with some areal photographs, suggesting an unmarked and unexplored reef formation just off Main Beach. After an exploration dive, a new dive site was discovered by The Scuba Coach divers and nick-named in honer of our white whale friend in 2017. Migaloo Reef is the only natural offshore reef between Mermaid Beach and Main Beach that is suitable for Open Water Divers with depth ranging between 16m and 19m and for all local fisherman and Speros, NO, this is not One Mile Reef or 80 Foot Reef ;-).

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 16m to 20m
• Visibility: 5m to 15m
• Current: None
• Marine Life: Dolphins (sometimes), Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Morray Eels, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Rocky reef boulders and bommies with sandy patches
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

Named by Southport Fish and Dive Centre after an Open Water Student, Greta’s Reef is an impressive dive site, consisting of several rocky boulders. It is a Nudi and general Macro heaven. Dolphins are encountered at Greta’s Reef on occasions whilst feeding on the reef.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 20m to 23m
• Visibility: 5m 10mCurrent: None
• Marine Life: Dolphins (sometimes), Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Morray Eels, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Rocky reef boulders and bommies with sandy patches
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

As the name suggests, 80 Foot Reef is approximately 22m to 25m deep and located approximately 2km offshore from Main Beach. It is a coffee rock reef with boulders, separated by sand.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 22m to 26m
• Visibility: 5m to 12m
• Current: None
• Marine Life: Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Morray Eels, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Rocky reef boulders with sandy patches
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

With approximately 6km away from the Gold Coast Seaway Entrance, the Southport Pinnacles is the Gold Coast’s most remote dive site and ideal for deep specialty diving. The site is a large underwater mountain with the peak laying in 32m of water, dropping off to 40m and more.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 32m to 40m
• Visibility: 8m to 15m
• Current: Mild to medium at times
• Marine Life: Cray Fish, Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Morray Eels, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Continues rock formation
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced with Deep Certification
• Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

Explored and named by our very own Matt in 2018, Campos Reef is a deep reef, consisting of a large coffee rock formation. Diving down on this reef feels like landing on Mars! the visibility is often slightly better than on the shallower reefs as it is further out at sea, approximately 3 km off Main Beach.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 27m to 30m
• Visibility: 5m to 15m
• Current: None
• Marine Life: Cray Fish, Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Morray Eels, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Continues rock formation dropping off into the sand
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

This popular fishing reef is similar to Migaloo Reef with deeper laying rock boulders. It is a large reef with several dive spots. Due to its proximity to shore within the Gold Coast Bay, Mermaid Reef often gets lower visibility than other sites to the north or south.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 19m to 23m
• Visibility: 5m 10m
• Current: None
• Marine Life: Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Morray Eels, Nudis and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Rocky reef boulders and bommies with sandy patches
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

The Aquarian is a small fishing trawler that sunk in 1986 under the command of Master Malcom Taylor who tragically lost his life during the incident. The wreck lays in about 14m of water only a few hundred meters away from the beach of South Stradbroke Island and in close proximity to the Seaway Entrance.

The wreck is often surrounded by large rays and shark rays. The site required a flat ocean in order to be diveable which makes it a really visited dive site.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 19m to 23m
• Visibility: 5m to 10m
• Current: None
• Marine Life: Wobbegongs, Rays, lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Shipwreck
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

The Dragin 2 sunk in 1983 just north of the Jumpinpin Bar and is a 19m long steel fishing trawler. The wreck rests in about 24m of water and has a reasonably intact wheel house. The visibility at the Dragin II is often low and it requires a perfect calm day to dive this site which makes it a rarely visited dive site.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 22m to 25m
• Visibility: 3m to 8m
• Current: None to mild at times
• Marine Life: Wobbegongs, Rays, Morray Eels, Shark Rays and lots of smaller species of fish
• Topography: Shipwreck
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 3/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

The Scuba Coach founded Gold Coast Dive Adventures in 2017, specialising in offshore scuba diving for certified divers. GCDA is the most experienced offshore diving operator on the Gold Coast and our number one recommendation for your Gold Coast diving adventure. The Scuba Coach sold GCDA in 2020 however, under new ownership, GCDA continues to be the benchmark when it comes to scuba diving on the Gold Coast.

You may have heard the phrase: “The best shore dive of any Australian City” – this is the Gold Coast Seaway. The Seaway is a shore dive, accessed via the Spit. There are three sets of access stair along the northern training wall for divers convenience.

Locals divide the site into 4 parts:

• The North Wall
• The South Wall (main diving area)
• The Pipe (connects south wall and north wall)
• The South-West Wall and Beach

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 5m to 18m
• Visibility: 3m to 12m
• Current: Tidal
• Marine Life: Turtles, Rays, lots of smaller species of fish and more
• Topography: Rock wall and submerged pipeline with sandy bottom
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

The Seaway is an easy dive but tidal. The safest diving window is between 30min before high tide until about 1hour after high tide but this varies with the specific height of the tide.

This manmade sand island is located within the Gold Coast Seaway. The main dive area is the northern training wall and beach area, providing a protected, calm water diving site. Wave Break Island is commonly used daily for snorkelling, introductory diving and scuba diving courses but also certified divers can have an enjoyable time at Wave Break. The tidal window is slightly bigger than the Seaway and it can also be dived at low tide provided visibility allows for it.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 2m to 14m
• Visibility: 3m to 12m
• Current: Tidal
• Marine Life: Rays, lots of smaller species of fish and more
• Topography: Rock wall, sandy bottom
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Shark Alley is probably the most popular dive site at Flat Rock, located about 4.5 km off Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island. From about mid May to November, the Grey Nurse Sharks are visiting the sandy alleys in large numbers. The 2 main alleys are separated by cliff-like rock formation, making it an impressive underwater landscape. The site is easy to navigate as the main mooring block sits right at the entrance to the alley.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 18m to 35m
• Visibility: 10m 30m
• Current: Mild to medium at times
• Marine Life: Grey Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Rays, Wobbegongs and lots of smaller tropical fish
• Topography: Sandy trenches and cliff-like rock walls
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

Diving around North Stradbroke Island is beautiful and magnificent but requires experienced dive guides. Diving from private boats is not recommended due to the remoteness of this site. Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre are the pioneers in diving North Stradbroke Island and are located right at the beach at Point Lookout. The experienced team knows their backyard like no one else.  Other dive operators such as Brisbane Scuba and Go Dive Charters are visiting Flat Rock on occasions.

Turtle Caves is Matt’s favorite dive site at Flat Rock which is  4.5 km off Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island. The site offers an impressive blend of coral gardens, caves and large rock formations, rises and sandy patches, attracting a wide range of large marine life. It is the site that never stops surprising by unexpected marine life encounters. Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, Grey Nurse Sharks, Leopard Sharks, Bull Sharks or Cownose Rays in their hundreds, divers at Turtle Caves have seen it all! The mooring block is somewhat misplaced, sitting in 28m of water and requiring divers to swim mid-water to reach the more shallow laying dive sites.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 10m to 32m
• Visibility: 10m 30m
• Current: Mild to strong at times
• Marine Life: Turtles, Grey Nurse Sharks, Hard Coral, Soft Coral, Wobbegongs, Leopard Sharks and lots of smaller tropical fish
• Topography: Rocky reef with caves and risesRecommended
• Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

Diving around North Stradbroke Island is beautiful and magnificent but requires experienced dive guides. Diving from private boats is not recommended due to the remoteness of this site. Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre are the pioneers in diving North Stradbroke Island and are located right at the beach at Point Lookout. The experienced team knows their backyard like no one else.  Other dive operators such as Brisbane Scuba and Go Dive Charters are visiting Flat Rock on occasions.

Matt calls the Nursery the Aquarium as it is just such a pretty site right at the south-western side of Flat Rock which is  located 4.5 km off Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island. It is not dived very frequently as the prevailing current often runs through this site, making Turtle Cave or Shark Alley the better site to choose most of the time. The rocky reef is home to lots macro-creatures but larger marine life is encountered as well.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 7m to 18m
• Visibility: 10m 30m
• Current: Mild to Strong at times
• Marine Life: Nudibranches, Tropical Fish, Corals, Wobbegongs, Rays and Turtles
• Topography: Rocky reef
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

Diving around North Stradbroke Island is beautiful and magnificent but requires experienced dive guides. Diving from private boats is not recommended due to the remoteness of this site. Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre are the pioneers in diving North Stradbroke Island and are located right at the beach at Point Lookout. The experienced team knows their backyard like no one else.  Other dive operators such as Brisbane Scuba and Go Dive Charters are visiting Flat Rock on occasions.

Bucket list diving right here at Straddie! Manta Bommie is located just 1km off Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island and rated as a Top 10 dive site in Australia. The site is a cleaning station for Manta Rays, visiting the Bommie every year between November and April is large numbers. It is also a Leopard Shark hot spot. There is also a large population of Shark Rays and Turtles to round up an amazing diving experience.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 5m to 16m
• Visibility: 5m 30m
• Current: Mild to medium at times
• Marine Life: Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Leopard Sharks, Wobbegongs
• Topography: Rock reef with sandy patches as well as a drop off with small caves and rises
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

Diving around North Stradbroke Island is beautiful and magnificent but requires experienced dive guides. Diving from private boats is not recommended due to the remoteness of this site and the present of current most of the time (if dived in the wrong spot). Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre are the pioneers in diving North Stradbroke Island and are located right at the beach at Point Lookout. The experienced team knows their backyard like no one else.  Other dive operators such as Brisbane Scuba and Go Dive Charters are visiting Manta Bommie on occasions.

Located just behind Manta Bommie, a rare dive due to the exposed nature of this site but absolutely worth it. Surface conditions need to be suitable in order to dive Boat Rock, a large cliff-like rock formation. There is a good chance of large marine life encounters.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 16m to 30m
• Visibility: 5m 20m
• Current: Strong at times
• Marine Life: Various Sharks and other Marine Life
• Topography: Large rock cliff
• Recommended Experience Level:  Advanced
• Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

Diving around North Stradbroke Island is beautiful and magnificent but requires experienced dive guides. Diving from private boats is not recommended due to the remoteness of this site and the present of current most of the time (if dived in the wrong spot). Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre are the pioneers in diving North Stradbroke Island and are located right at the beach at Point Lookout. The experienced team knows their backyard like no one else. 

Tugged into the north-western corner of Point Lookout, only 1km offshore, Shag Rock is the most protected dive site around North Stradbroke Island. The site is very underrated as usually only visited in average conditions on days when Flat Rock or Manta Bommie can’t be visited. There are several impressive features around Shag Rock including swim troughs, deep trenches, coral gardens and big rises. If visited on good day with clear visibility Shag Rock will not fall short in impressing any diver.

FAST FACTS

• Depth: 8m to 18m
• Visibility: 5m 20m
• Current: Mild at times
• Marine Life: Nudibranches, Tropical Fish, Corals, Wobbegongs, Rays, Turtles, Shark Rays and more
• Topography: Rocky reef with big rises and swim troughs 
• Recommended Experience Level:  Open Water
• Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars

HOW TO DIVE THERE

Diving around North Stradbroke Island is beautiful and magnificent but requires experienced dive guides. Diving from private boats is not recommended due to the remoteness of this site. Manta Lodge and Scuba Centre are the pioneers in diving North Stradbroke Island and are located right at the beach at Point Lookout. The experienced team knows their backyard like no one else.  Other dive operators such as Brisbane Scuba and Go Dive Charters are visiting Shag Rock on occasions.

Amity Point is a shore dive, accessed next to the public boat ramp. It is a fantastic training dive site but also ideal fro a night dive. There are some marine facilities such as a jetty and pontoon which act like a mini artificial reef.

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