Diving Overview

Renowned for Great Barrier Reef Dive Sites

Heron Island is known the world over for its excellent Great Barrier Reef dive sites, coral gardens and pinnacles. So good is the diving that Jacques Cousteau – the world’s most famous undersea explorer of our time -- listed The Heron Bommie as one of his top 10 favourite dive sites.

With a natural coral cay located directly on the reef, there are plenty of dive sites to explore, more than half of which are just 15 minutes from the beach. The waters around Heron Island are teeming with reef fish, turtles, manta rays, reef sharks and an endless variety of marine invertebrates. Around 60% of the 1,500 species of fish and around 72% of the coral species found on the Great Barrier Reef call the waters around Heron Island home.

Heron Island caters to all levels of marine enthusiasts from the novice snorkeller to experienced divers. The waters around the island are relatively shallow with an average depth of between 10 and 25 metres. Snorkellers can enjoy shallow reefs that sit below about two metres of water in many locations.

Underwater Seasons

• January / February: Water temperature 26-30°C (79-86°F) - Female turtles are laying eggs on the beach and hatchlings are making their way to the sea.
• March / April: Water temperature 22-29°C (72-84°F) - End of turtle nesting season.
• May / June: Water temperature 19-23°C (66-73°F) - Humpback Whales northern migration begins.
• July / August: Water temperature 18-23°C (64-73°F) - Humpback Whales frequently sighted. Visibility up to 50m
• September / October: Water temperature 20-26°C (68-79°F) - Humpback Whales active. Turtle mating may be observed.
• November / December: Water temperature 22-29°C (72-84°F) - Turtle egg-laying begins. Some first hatchlings emerge in December. Annual synchronised coral spawning.

World-Class Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

• Minimal time (5-15 minutes) to reef diving sites
• All diving sites located within a marine national park
• Shallow reef diving sites available
• Long bottom times can be arranged
• Buoyed diving sites
• Stable platform style boats with shaded canopies
• Dive-masters present on all dives
• Giant stride entries - exit via wide ladders
• No carrying of tanks or weights at any time
• Highest-quality diving equipment
• Up to three dives per day
• Night dives

Referral Diving courses and Open Water Diving courses must be booked in advance.