1. Pristine Beaches

Don’t miss a boating excursion to the mostly uninhabited Whitsunday Islands, situated between the Great Barrier Reef and the coast of Queensland—some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen.

2. Sydney Seadragons

Although Sydney might not be as glamorous as the Great Barrier Reef or Ningaloo Reef, it offers unique dives you shouldn’t pass up. The waters off Australia’s southeastern coast are one of the best places to spot the highly photogenic weedy seadragon.

3. Manta Ray Diving

Lady Elliot Island is known as the “home of the manta rays,” and is the best place on the Great Barrier Reef to see these graceful creatures. If you’re looking for megafauna, the eco-resort on the island has its own PADI dive shop and offers daily dive trips.

4. Whale Shark Freediving

Freedivers—and scuba divers, for that matter—should consider Ningaloo Reef a top Australian destination. You can freedive with whale sharks, manta rays and turtles depending on the season. Visitors to the reef can also swim with migrating humpback whales from August through October.

5. Here Comes the Sun

Pack reef-safe sunscreen to avoid adding extra stress to the Great Barrier Reef’s delicate corals. Head over to PADI Gear to pick some up if you don’t already own it.

Explore More Australian Diving:

• Adventuring through Oz
• Where (and When) to Dive with Blacktip Reef Sharks
• The Top Nine Dive Capitals of the World