Diving & Snorkelling

Lady Elliot Island offers a range of activities for both experienced divers and those who just want to snorkel. Join one of the regular dive groups and either cruise out to the reef or simply step straight off the beach to be immersed in coral gardens. The qualified dive staff with accompany you to some of the most spectacular dive spots the region has to offer, from the caverns at the Blow Hole and Hiro's Cave to the Lighthouse Bommie where the manta rays play. With water temperatures of 18 to 27 degrees Centigrade and visibility beyond 20 meters, there is no question as to why this stunning corner of the world is so popular.

For those who just want to snorkel, visit the lagoon area which is abundant with colourful fish, gardens of coral and other sea creatures. If you are not an experienced snorkeller don't worry, there are snorkeling lessons conducted in the resort pool for beginners.

A Sample of Dive Courses Available

Discover Scuba Diving

Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) is designed for non-divers to experience scuba diving in a safe controlled environment. The DSD is conducted in the afternoon with a pool session and safety discussion with an experienced instructor followed by a short break before the afternoon dive. DSD participants must be over 17 years and complete a medical history survey prior diving.

Refresher Course

Pool session designed to familiarize certified divers who have not dived within the last 12 months.

Open Water Course

A comprehensive course covering all academic and practical requirements. Approximately 8 hours of academic training, 9 hours of pool training and 15 hours of open water training. Your training with a qualified instructor is spread over 7 days to allow you to enjoy your holiday and also allowing sufficient time to complete the course if weather conditions change. Must have a dive mdical - Australian Standard AS4005.1 - and three (3) passport photos. Minimum stay of seven (7) nights at the resort.

Referral Open Water Course

Must have signed referral form from current dive instructor, all paperwork (exams, medical ect) and three (3) passport photos. Minimum stay of three (3) nights at the Resort.

Advanced Course

5 Dives are conducted during this course, designed to increase diver confidence and awaken awareness in the underwater environment. Navigation and deep dive are core dives and must be completed with 3 elective dives chosen by you with your instructor. (Drift, Boat, Underwater Naturalist, Multi-Level or Night Dive) Must have current Open water certificate, current Dive Medical - Aust Standard AS4005.1 and three (3) passport photos. Minimum stay of four (4) nights at the resort. Cost of dives and equipment is not included in Advanced Course.

The Lady Elliot Island Dive Shop is a PADI Resort Association member and has a comprehensive stock of hire equipment available. Scuba Diving is conducted daily and staff escort all dives. Both shore and boat dives are possible from the island. Please note: all divers must produce a Certification Card to dive (except Discover Scuba Diving Course). Conditions - all activities are subject to weather conditions, un-used dives are non-refundable, cancellations conditions apply. Dives includes cylinders, airfill and weight belts only.

Dive Sites Map

Lady Elliot island proudly bares the reputation of being one of, if not the best snorkeling and reef diving sites in Australia. Choose from a selection of varied and easily accessible sites around Lady Elliot Island in the biggest living structure in the world, The Great Barrier Reef. Scuba diving and snorkeling are conducted each day and staff accompany guests through all dives. Visit the Lady Elliot Island Dive Shop and be assured with the comprehensive range of equipment that is available for hire from this PADI Resort Association member. Choose from boat or shore dives to explore the Great Barrier Reef. All divers must produce a Certification Card to dive.

Here are a few of the beautiful spots you will encounter when diving the stunning Great Barrier Reef from Lady Elliot Island:

The Blow Hole - Depth 25m

The Blow Hole is a popular destination on the eastern side of the island which is accessible through two entrances. Enter from the top of the reef at 14-16 meters, just a short distance from the mooring or head over to the main entrance, a 20-25 meter opening on the reef wall. Discover the depths of the reef in the main cavern which is approximately 20 meters in length. Encounter some of the local marine life while exploring the Blow Hole such as Lion Fish, Manta Shrimp, Wobbegongs and the Gnome Fish.

Lighthouse Bommie - Depth 14-15m

Dive the Lighthouse Bommie from either a boat dive or a shore dive, the set of coral heads just 100 meters from the shore. Visit the majestic manta rays which frequent this area throughout the year and marvel at their size, some more than four meters from tip to tip. Also populating this magnificent spot are marine creatures such as Moray Eels, Bull Rays, Coral Trout, Small White Tip Reef Sharks, Schooling Barracuda and many more species all at your fingertips.

Three Pyramids - Depth 18m

Located just a short cruise from the western side of the island are the Three Pyramids, a cluster of three large coral heads which are known as Bommies. A permanent mooring can be easily descended to bring you almost directly on top of the first of the Bommies which is home to Cardinals, Anemone Fish, Turtles and Eagle Rays. The Three Pyramids is a great location for a drift dive, depending on the flow of the current you can float out to the Anchor Bommies or the Outer Scatters formore great dive sites.

Anchor Bommies - Depth 21m

The Anchor Bommies consists of two ancient Admiralty anchors which rest on the ocean floor and is known as the ultimate dive site at Lady Elliot Island. Covered in both hard and soft corals, the Anchor Bommies is also home to Manta Rays, Cleaner Shrimp, Purple Leafy Scorpion Fish and the large Shovelled Nosed ray. Definitely a spot not to be missed.

Coral Gardens - 12m

Deciding to go for a night dive? Then head out to the Coral Gardens, a spectacular site to encounter the nocturnal Painted Cray as well as a myriad of other snoozing marine creatures, truly an experience not to be misses.

Maori Wrasse Bommie

This site lies approximately 14 meters north of the Coral Gardens and can be accessed through a rope trail that leads you through the area. The Maori Wrasse Bommie is named after the family of Wrasse, also known as Parrot Fish, that frequent this spectacular area. Continue along the coral wall to Spyders Ledge, named after the number of shells by that name found in the area, and encounter the shy Barramundi Cod, the colourful Clown Fish as well as a variety of Anemone species.

Gropers Grovel

Gropers Grovel is a bommie and coral ledge covered in hard and soft corals approximately 25 meters deep and nestled at the northern end of the island. Marine life which populate the area include the Oceanic White Tips, a species of shark that is common to the reef area, as well as many varieties of fish and Anemones.

Encounters

This spot is a excellent afternoon drift dive that is thick with marine life and populated with large plate and staghorn outcrops of coral. Encounters is known as a popular hang out for the Manta Rays which call the waters of Lady Elliot Island home. Dive to a maximum depth of 12 meters and also spot clusters of Spangeled Emperor, Redthroat, Rabbitfish, Blue Angelfish and a couple of Moorish Idols.

Hiro's Cave

Populated by a range of reef fish species such as Titan Trigger Fish, Sweetlip and Painted Flutemouth, this large overhang, which is not quite as big as the Blow Hole, has two entrances at 24 meters. Giant fans of Gorgonia, also known as fire coral, adorn the main wall of Hiro's Cave and Pelagics are regularly spotted in the deeper water.