The Canyons - Coral Sea

Sometimes a mistake turns into a pleasant surprise. We were aiming for Shark Point in Sulawesi, but a navigation error led our divemaster to dub this particular spot "Wrong Entry Point." It’s an easy wall dive, dropping to around 21 metres, with visibility often stretching close to 30 metres. You’ll drift past dramatic overhangs adorned with lively corals and sponges, keeping an eye out for dogtooth tuna zipping by or even a blacktip shark cruising the blue. During your safety stop, the shallower coral gardens are a treat, often swarming with purple anthias and schooling batfish. It’s a gentle, colourful dive, perfect if you’re looking for a relaxed exploration with some unexpected pelagic encounters.

Location
Coral Sea, Australia, Australasia
Coordinates
-23.890000, 152.429500
Type
reef

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 Canyons

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 Canyons

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