Mull of Kintyre - Wilson Reef - GBR - Great Barrier Reef

Punta Argentina is a site we keep coming back to, and it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite among the local dive operators. It's a proper pinnacle dive, meaning you can circle the whole formation, exploring overhangs and rock crevices as you go. We love the variety here; one minute you’re watching a Bandtail Frogfish blend into a sponge, the next a King Angelfish glides past, its colours popping against the blue. The real draw, though, is the promise of sharks. We’ve often found five to ten white-tip reef sharks snoozing in a pile on the sand bottom, a wonderfully peaceful sight. Look closely in the rocks for the smaller stuff – Barnacle Blennies poking their heads out, or the Granular Frog Shell, a real treat for macro enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for big schools of snapper and grunts, sometimes so dense they dim the light. Depths here max out around 19 metres, so it’s a comfortable dive for most experience levels. Visibility averages about 11 metres, which is decent enough for spotting both the resting sharks and the smaller, more elusive creatures.

Location: Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Australasia
Coordinates: -13.934600, 144.392200
Type: reef

Best Time to Dive in Great Barrier Reef

The warmest water temperatures in Great Barrier Reef occur in February, averaging 29.5°C. The coolest conditions are in August at 25.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 29.4°C
February: 29.5°C
March: 29.2°C
April: 28.4°C
May: 26.9°C
June: 25.8°C
July: 25.1°C
August: 25.0°C
September: 25.4°C
October: 26.6°C
November: 27.7°C
December: 29.0°C

Nearest Dive Centres to Mull of Kintyre - Wilson Reef - GBR

Marine Life in Great Barrier Reef

Home to 163 recorded species including 88 reef fish, 61 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 1 starfish, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) - Sharks & Rays
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
Cauliflower coral (Pocillopora damicornis) - Hard Corals
Lineated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Telescopefish (Epibulus insidiator) - Reef Fish
Banded thicklip (Hemigymnus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
Blunt-head Parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
Chameleon Parrotfish (Scarus chameleon) - Reef Fish
Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
Black-back Butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Mull of Kintyre - Wilson Reef - GBR

Based on average water temperature of 27.3°C, currents 17 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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