Suggested Places to Dive in Australia

[eraml]

I am going to be studying abroad in Australia in July-Nov.
I currently do not have my certification, but plan on getting it either before I leave, or sometime when I arrive.
I am going to be staying in the Gold Coast. Just wondering if there were any companies any would suggest going through? Or specific dives I should look to go on etc.
Just looking for as much information as I can find out from people who have been there etc.
Thanks

 

[scottallert]

try the great barrier reef i heard its pretty cool.

 

[eraml]

Yea I heard a similiar rumor, but then heard its not true.
Any real input?

 

[dougie]

the gold coast has some awesome dive spots, heres a link to check out yourself. http://www.divingthegoldcoast.com.au/
And the great barrier reef is the most amazing place in the world, trust me go for a trip to tropical northern queensland, whitsundays, townsville, cairns.....etc.

 

[AussieMitch]

If you can get to Western Australia, you cant miss Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo is one of the largest Marine Sanctuaries in the world and is home to most of the species that hobbyiest keep in their tanks... including amazing corals and anenomes.

Of course the main reason you should consider Ningaloo is the whalesharks. I went in April and can honestly say was the best holiday I have ever done, and the best snorkling I have ever done (to me was better than the waters around Phuket even) The life down there amoung the bombies is phenomenal.

 

[percula99]

Try PM'ing edr42. He was a student in Australia who now works in an aquarium there. He has an incredible thread going where he posts many photos from the GBR. You must have seen it in this section. He may be willing to give you some pointers.

Here is the thread.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=980833

 

[tgruby]

So jealous..I've always wanted to go to Australia

 

[Saltliquid]

diving

diving

Send us an email if you want,we dive or snorkell all the south east areas and can put you onto the people that know where it all is.

This is our south east water section of our forum.

http://southeastqueenslanda.aforumf...ium-species-collecting-and-local-sea-life-f5/

Email

aandtsociety@gmail.com

 

[eraml]

Thanks for the help. I will look into those websites. Any other input is still appreciated.

 

[eraml]

I was unable to complete my 4th open water dive here in the US.
So I was wondering what I would have to do to complete this open water dive and get certified in Australia?
Anyone have experience getting certified in Australia?

 

[snorvich]

Well, with your experience level, I would also endorse Ningaloo Reef as AussieMitch suggests. If you had a LOT of experience and could dive cold water, I would recommend Kangaroo Island to view the sea dragons (my avatar is a picture from there)

 

[criccio]

http://www.underwater.com.au/

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346322#post15346322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eraml
I was unable to complete my 4th open water dive here in the US.
So I was wondering what I would have to do to complete this open water dive and get certified in Australia?
Anyone have experience getting certified in Australia?

You should be able to get a referral from your instructor that you can take to any other dive shop offering instruction from the same agency and simply complete the open water dives with an instructor in Australia. One of our Australian friends here should be able to help you find a good dive shop.