Dolphin wall

Best months: Jul–Oct

Protected Area

Kia

Why dive here

With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Dolphin wall offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.

Best timeJul–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 391+ species recorded

Water29-31°C · warmest January, April, December

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Dolphin Wall sits a quick five-minute boat ride west of Paptura, a colourful stretch of reef that’s become a bit of a local favourite. We’ve found the currents here can be a bit shifty, changing direction with the tide, but that just keeps things interesting. It’s pretty sheltered from big swells, though a strong wind can chop up the surface. Drop down and you’ll find a vibrant wall, gently sloping from about 5 metres down to our max recorded depth of 24 metres. We’ve had some great dives here, spotting plenty of wrasse, triggerfish darting about, and nudibranchs adding little splashes of colour to the corals. If you keep an eye on the deeper blue, sometimes a reef shark will cruise by. This site is a solid choice for a relaxing afternoon dive, especially if you’re into macro life and enjoying a good coral display without too much effort.