Scuba Diving Hot Spots

by Sail-World on 11 Apr 2008 The Pinnacles is considered to be one of the best sites in the Whitsundays for both snorkelling and scuba diving. Among its towering hard corals, there are common sightings of giant Maori wrasse, parrotfish and majestic manta rays.

The Wood Pile is a great drop-off dive but is not really suitable for snorkelling. The fish to be found there are similar to those at the Pinnacles, as well as a good number of black and white tip reef sharks.

Mantaray Bay is one of the best-known snorkelling and diving locations. Being so well protected, it is a favourite with charter boats. Hand-feeding of fish is a popular pastime, so the local batfish eagerly swarm around the charter vessels in anticipation of a treat.

Maureen’s Cove, while not the best choice for snorkelling, offers some great shallow dives of 12 to 15 metres exploring its many caves and ledges. Here one can sight angelfish, butterfly cod, coral trout and sweetlip.

Dolphin Point is located on the northern tip of Hayman Island and offers some spectacular undulating terrain with scattered bommies and fallen blocks littering the bottom at about 18 metres. There is a great diversity of marine life here, including trevally, mackerel, clownfish and the occasional hammerhead shark.

Blue Pearl Bay is very popular for both snorkelling and diving, especially with charter boats. Many varieties of tropical fish are always present and a vertical wall at 15 metres offers some good coral cover, tunnels and overhanging ledges.

Hannah Point on North Molle Island offers an interesting night dive, with plenty of colourful corals and many varieties of fish life.