DIVING & SNORKELLING

Dive and Snorkel Sites Diving and snorkelling in the area can be done either around the Whitsunday Islands, or further out to sea on the Barrier Reef proper. The quality of the reef and wildlife is better for the latter. Whitsunday Island Dive Sites Bird Island Visibility: 2-12 metres Diving depth: 2-15 metres Bottom: Rock in the shallows down to 6-8 metres, then dropping off to coral

1. The Pinnacles (Hook Island) Some of the best snorkelling to be had in the Whitsundays, just off the western beach. Coral cover is nearly solid, mostly staghorn, with only a few sandy patches. The quality of the corals diminishes the further east you go. Fish life is medium in size and average in quality, manta rays common in cooler months, May to September. The site is open to northerly

The many islands of the Cumberland Group with their fringing coral reefs offer a wide range of easily accessible sites for diving and snorkelling. It is possible to find somewhere that is protected in almost any weather, so that snorkelling and diving can be enjoyed virtually 365 days a year, even when Reef excursions elsewhere along the coast are being cancelled because of wind. For this reason

Snorkelling Snorkelling is one of the best ways to appreciate a coral reef - in shallow water where the sunlight is bright and the colours of the reef can really be appreciated. Snorkelling requires little equipment, and one can become totally absorbed observing the wide variety of corals or watching reef creatures going about their business in their own environment. A few hours of snorkelling

Scuba diving There are a number of training organisations on the mainland offering full certificate courses of 5-7 days duration, including training dives at island and Barrier Reef sites. There is a lot of competition for students among the operators, and don't judge a course on price alone. Check out several options; ask about training centres; find out what's included in the price, and ask