Turtle Beach

Best months: Jul–Nov

Why dive here

With 231+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue sharks, grey reef sharks and manta rays - Turtle Beach offers some of Cocos (Keeling) Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-29°C, warmest January, February, March.

Best timeJul–Nov

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Blue Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks and Manta Rays · 231+ species recorded

Water27-29°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Turtle Beach, despite its name, isn't always about the turtles. Sure, you might spot a green sea turtle snoozing on the sand, but our real draw here is the shark action. Drop down to around 10-12 metres and settle in; the resident grey reef sharks, blacktips, and whitetips are reliably curious. We love the feeling of them circling closer with each pass, especially when the light filters down through the gin-clear water. It's a mellow dive, maxing out at 14 metres, making it perfect for newer divers keen for some close encounters without the usual current drama. Just remember, this site is weather-dependent. If there's a westerly swell, we'd suggest skipping it and heading elsewhere, as it gets pretty uncomfortable near Turks Reef. When conditions are calm, though, the visibility can push past 20 metres, making those shark passes even more dramatic. Keep an eye out for the colourful parade of parrotfish and triggerfish along the reef edge between shark sightings.