Diving in Coral Sea

Explore 100 dive sites in Coral Sea, Australia. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Coral Sea

The warmest water temperatures in Coral Sea occur in March, averaging 28.3°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 21.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.9°C
  • February: 28.3°C
  • March: 28.3°C
  • April: 27.2°C
  • May: 25.0°C
  • June: 23.0°C
  • July: 21.6°C
  • August: 21.2°C
  • September: 22.3°C
  • October: 24.3°C
  • November: 26.3°C
  • December: 27.7°C

Marine Life in Coral Sea

Home to 120 recorded species including 73 reef fish, 30 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.

Recommended Packing List for Coral Sea

Based on average water temperature of 25.2°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Coral Sea

  • Corio Bay - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Broad Sound - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Sand Bay - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • West Hill - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area (Shoalwater Bay Training Area, in part - Corio Bay) - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Bassett Basin - Fish Habitat Area (B) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Cawarral Creek - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Cape Palmerston - Rocky Dam - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Swain Reefs - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Fitzroy River - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • West Hill - Fish Habitat Area (B) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Cape Palmerston - Rocky Dam - Fish Habitat Area (B) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) - Fish Habitat Area (A) (IUCN Category VI)
  • Balban Dara Guya (Leekes Creek) - Fish Habitat Area (B) (IUCN Category VI)

Getting to Coral Sea - Nearest Airports

  • Mackay Airport (MKY), Mackay - 84 km away, approx 107 min travel time
  • Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), Hamilton Island - 144 km away, approx 172 min travel time
  • Proserpine Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP), Proserpine - 170 km away, approx 200 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres