Coral Sea, Australia

    The Caves

    Best months: Mar–Jul

    Why dive here

    With 113+ marine species recorded in the area - including dugongs, grey reef sharks, humpback whales, sea turtles and tiger sharks - The Caves offers some of Coral Sea's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 25-30°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeMar–Jul
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeDugongs, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales, Sea Turtles and Tiger Sharks · 113+ species recorded
    Water25-30°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Look, we get it. The data isn't exactly singing praises for the Yankee Juillet. And honestly, for your average "wow factor" dive, it’s not going to blow your fins off. But if you’ve got a soft spot for history, for the quiet grace of a wreck slowly being reclaimed, this site has a certain understated charm. The Yankee Juillet is what’s left of a small plane, resting in about 19 meters of water. We love it for the story it tells. It’s not some grand warship, but a private aircraft, giving it a more personal, almost melancholic feel. The fuselage is broken, stretched across the sandy seabed, with the wings angled upwards. We often spend time just hovering over the cockpit, imagining the final moments. It's not about big schools of fish here, more about the small, intricate details. You'll find a surprising number of blennies peering out from crevices, and we’ve spotted peacock mantis shrimp scuttling in the sand nearby. The corals aren't vibrant, true, but the wreck itself has become a canvas for various sponges and a delicate growth of soft corals, lending it a muted beauty. It’s a dive for photographers who appreciate composition over colour, or for anyone who enjoys a peaceful exploration without the usual hustle. Keep an eye out in the sand around the wreck; we’ve had a few lucky encounters with stingrays here. It's a short, easy dive, perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:2217:5412h 32m daylightGolden hour 17:24

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for The Caves

    The Caves Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for The Caves, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-16.5, 148) (0km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    26°C

    79°F · Range: 25.4–29°C

    Current Speed

    10.3 cm/s

    Direction: SE (119.1°)

    Salinity

    35.38 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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