SCUBA Diving. Airlie Beach. Whitsundays. Australia.
I've been diving in the Whitsundays for 7 long years mostly with two companies: True Blue Sailing(in the past) and Whitsundays Dive Adventures/Mantaray Charters on present.
It was always beautiful and different. I would say: "Different seasons give you different waters". It means that there is different temperatures, currents, visibility and weather. We don't have 40 meters visibility here, because the Islands are close to the mainland and the rivers bring a lot of silt and mud, which settles on the bottom around the islands. You can see the particles of the sediments nearly every time when you dive and you can see them on some of my photographs too. Does it matter for SCUBA diving? Yes and No.
You can't use your flash too much because the light reflects from the particles but it's always beautiful.
Where to do SCUBA Diving in the Whitsundays and what can you see?
Even after the cyclone Debbie which wiped off our favourite dive spots Luncheon and Mantaray Bay to zero you still can find really nice spots. Butterfly Bay of Hook Island is one of them.
Before you go, check out the winds. The bay is exposed to the North, so if there is the rare northerly winds you need to go somewhere else. Normally it's south east and you can go. There are not a lot of companies who provide SCUBA diving on Butterfly Bay. To be more exact there is only one and it's Mantaray Charters. Book in advance because they have limited spots for divers. You'll never regret, they know what they are doing and they have the best diving instructors who know the area.
I would divide the bay it into two diving spots. First is on the west side along the gradual slope and the second is on the east along the rock wall. The most interesting spots are not deep, so you shouldn't expect it's going to be deeper than 12 meters on both dives.
Incoming small tides are always better for the visibility. Figure it out and plan your dive.
You can find lots of soft and hard corals, giant clams, hump head parrotfish and even manta rays. On the whale season you can hear them everyday while you are underwater. There are some sharks and turtles for sure. Whether you meet them or not-it depends how lucky you are. But you can be sure they are always there.
If it's too rough in Butterfly Bay you may go to Hook Passage and dive along the coral wall just opposite Hook Island resort. It's goes east from the small beach of the Whitsunday Island which faces the resort. There are a couple of moorings just opposite that dive site, so you won't miss it. It's quite nice and most of the corals are shallow. Be careful with the strong currents before you go. It's nearly always lazy drift diving if you have chosen the right direction with the flow at the moment.
Can I dive from the mainland or I need to find the boat?
You can, but not in Airlie Beach. There is no corals and bad visibility in Airlie. That's how it is. The first nice spot to do the shore diving is the Horseshoe Bay in Bowen. It's located north from Airlie and it's only one hour drive.
It's a beautiful place to spend the day. Don't expect the big depth. It's only 7 m maximum on a high tide. The best direction to go is left along the rocks if you are staying on the beach and facing the water. It's a nice place for snorkelling too. So, you go left-east and north after. There are a lot of beautiful brain corals and lots of soft corals too. Just explore the area. Two month ago I just saw two meters tawny shark on the depth of 3 meters and it was an amazing dive.
Please check out the wind and tides on the weather forecast. The bay face east, so if there is no big easterly blow and small tides-it's the right time to go.
Where can I hire the equipment and how much does it cost?
You can hire the equipment in Airie Beach Abell Point Marina south at Aqua Dive Hire and Supplies. Just close to the roundabout there is the shop N13. It's not cheap if you don't have any gear with you. I would say it's nearly $100 for all you need per person.
In comparison, one certified dive with Mantaray Boat on Butterfly bay costs $80.The second is $60. It's up to you to decide but if you don't have the boat I would go with Mantaray Charters.
Is it beautiful? Is it a part of the Great Barrier Reef?
As I said before, it's always nice and interesting. Definitely it's different and beautiful. You can't compare the Maldives, Egypt and Australia. They are all different and unique. All corals are the part of the great barrier reef.
Where can I find the proper underwater photographer in Airlie Beach to take some photos with us?
Just have a look at the photographs down below. I've taken them all here in the Whitsundays. It's always a pure adventure. I know the spots, I love it and it's my passion. If you like what I'm doing and want to secure your date for underwater photography with me, please send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Enjoy.
Hope to meet you soon.
