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