The Campgrounds - Coral Sea

Wreck Alley, off Cooper Island, is where we head when we’re feeling a bit greedy. Four wrecks, sunk intentionally starting in the 90s, means there’s always something new to poke around. The *Marie L*, *Pat*, *Beata*, and *Island Seal* are all down there, stacked up, and they've become home to an impressive number of residents. The wrecks themselves are a blast to explore. You can weave between the hulls, duck into old holds, and imagine them in their working days. Our favourite part has to be the sheer density of fish life. Forget just a few tangs; here we’re talking about schools of chromis and snapper that just melt around you as you swim through them. Look for the big stingrays – they’re comfortable with divers and will often glide right through the middle of a group. We’ve also seen some really impressive garden eel colonies stretching out from the sand around the wrecks, little periscopes swaying in the current. Maximum depth is 24m, so it’s a great spot for advanced open water divers who want to spend some time exploring rather than rushing a deep site. Visibility averages around 19m, decent enough to appreciate the scale of the alley. It's a busy site, so pick your time; early morning usually means fewer boats.

Location
Coral Sea, Australia, Australasia
Coordinates
-23.904000, 152.390900
Type
wreck

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Coral Sea

Nearest Dive Centres to The Campgrounds

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for The Campgrounds

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical depths for diving at The Campgrounds dive site?
The Campgrounds is a wonderful drift dive with depths typically reaching up to 18 meters, specifically having a maximum depth of 17 meters. This makes it suitable for divers comfortable with moderate depths. You can find more details about this site at The Campgrounds.
What kind of marine life or underwater attractions can divers expect to see at The Campgrounds?
Divers at The Campgrounds can expect to encounter a vibrant underwater ecosystem, featuring a variety of hard and soft corals, along with plenty of anemones. Keep an eye out for larger marine life such as sharks, turtles, manta rays, and various pelagics. Explore more about marine species in our wildlife database.
How challenging is diving at The Campgrounds for different skill levels, from beginner to advanced?
Diving at The Campgrounds is rated as an intermediate difficulty dive. As a drift dive, it requires divers to be comfortable with currents and have good buoyancy control, making it less suitable for absolute beginners. Experienced divers will particularly enjoy the dynamic nature of this site. You can learn more about this specific location at The Campgrounds.
What is the best time of year or day to dive at The Campgrounds for optimal conditions and visibility?
Specific information regarding the best time of year or day for optimal conditions and water temperature at The Campgrounds is not provided in our current data. However, divers can generally expect an average visibility of 15 meters at this site. For general advice on dive planning, visit our When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at The Campgrounds?
While specific certification requirements are not explicitly stated for The Campgrounds, its classification as an intermediate drift dive suggests that an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent experience with drift diving would be highly recommended. Always check with local dive operators for their specific requirements before planning your dive at The Campgrounds.
What are the typical currents, water temperature, and visibility conditions at The Campgrounds dive site?
The Campgrounds is described as a wonderful drift dive, indicating that divers should expect typical currents. The average visibility at the site is a clear 15 meters, offering great viewing opportunities. Information regarding typical water temperatures for this site is not available in our current data.