The 8 most incredible places to scuba dive in Australia

Good for: Cool temperate water, diversity of underwater terrain and deep sea wildlife that has to be seen to be believed.

Bicheno is a tiny fishing town on Tasmania's east coast whose real claim to fame is its incredibly close access (just five minutes off the main boat ramp!) to one of the best dive sites in the world. Namely, the Governor Island Marine Reserve. This is a fully protected area that offers up perfect diving conditions year-round. From spectacular granite boulder systems and tunnels, to emerald kelp forests, jewel-coloured anemones and fluttery sea creatures, Bicheno is very special. The most special, however, is the aptly named 'Magic Garden', a 38-metre underwater wall that's coated in rainbow coral and that regularly has dolphins, seals and whales swimming through its cavernous internal tunnels. 

Good for: Cruising past whale sharks, rainbow coral formations, and incredible marine life. 

This UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonder is known for being the most ethical place on Earth for swimming with whale sharks (but you can actually only do that when snorkelling). However, when it comes to scuba diving down deep, you'll be met by some seriously glorious watery wonders too. From dancing with humpback whales on their seasonal run to swimming with manta rays, green turtles or hundreds of species of fish, you'll be dazzled by the incredible visibility and remote beauty of underwater Ningaloo. Plus, unlike most other places, the dive sites are located a short boat ride offshore. 

Good for: Adrenaline junkies and everyone who wants to swim in a giant sea cave with a lot of gentle sharks. 

This tiny rocky outcrop in the rough waters of NSW's mid-north coast has appeared on 'world's best dive spot' lists for years – and for good reason. The only true ocean cave in Australia, it's known for being home to a huge number of protected (and harmless) grey nurse sharks. This intrepid dive takes you through a 125-metre underwater tunnel that ends up in Fish Cave, a Disney-level nautical wonderland teeming with an unbelievable whirlpool of hundreds of fish, sharks and turtles. Swimming amongst rainbow corals, you'll feel like you're in another dimension. 

Good for: Divers into unexplored tropical islands, warm waters and a diverse array of underwater terrain and wildlife. 

The Whitsundays are known for being bloody good-looking above water – but, it turns out they're pretty spectacular below too. There are plenty of vendors you can book with to dive in this pristine national park – and there are also plenty of diverse dive sites to choose from. From plummeting underwater cliffs and vertical reef walls teeming with rainbow life, to gigantic coral bommies, graceful manta rays and deep crevasses, there's something in the Whitsundays for everyone. 

Good for: Seclusion, rare marine life and gazing at the world's tallest volcanic stack in very clear water.

Lord Howe Island is an exclusive island paradise that only lets 400 lucky people sail to its verdant shores at any one time. This means ample serenity and solitude, both underwater and above. In the glassy waters around the island (some of the clearest in the world), you'll come face-to-face with rainbow coral, incredible marine life and an ethereal array of sea caves, deep trenches and staggering rock formations. Keep your eyes peeled for a sighting of rare florid Spanish dancers (sea slugs) and Galapagos whalers, harmless sharks that get up to two meters in length. 

Good for: Getting up close to Great White Sharks (in a cage, duh).

Deep in the freezing waters of South Australia's Neptune Islands lies a diving experience like no other. While we'd say it's usually best practice to avoid great white shark-infested waters while diving, if you're hell-bent on donning scuba gear and getting up close to the biggest boss in the sea, Port Lincoln is the (only) place to safely do it. There are two certified cage shark diving companies that'll take you out at Port Lincoln, with this being the only location in Australia that will suspend you mere centimetres away from the ocean's toothiest predator. Bring your courage and a healthy dose of awe. 

Good for: Beginner scuba divers, technicoloured coral gardens and swimming with sea turtles and rainbow fish. 

Located on the northern side of the Great Barrier Reef, Agincourt is accessible from both Cairns and Port Douglas. Perfect for beginner divers, this vivid reef is located on a continental shelf in the warm waters of Tropical North Queensland. This is a relaxed and shallow dive site that will make you feel like you're an extra in Finding Nemo (just without the harrowing bits). One particularly special feature is the 'Blue Wonder Wall', a vertical coral garden that drops a magical 40 meters down into the deep blue below. 

Good for: Scuba divers with an arty disposition.

If you find yourself in Townsville in Tropical North Queensland and are craving a scuba dive that deviates from the beaten scuba track, you should pop this dreamy deep-sea art exhibition on your list. A two-hour boat ride from Townsville is an open ocean gallery built to spark conversations about Great Barrier Reef conservation. You'll dive amongst eerie, ethereal and humungous sculptures of people, otherworldly creatures and objects, learning about how we can look after our reef for the better along the way. Fun fact: This gallery is a Guinness World Record holder for the biggest underwater art structure in the world.