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Best diving destinations in Oceania

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Cairns
Gateway to Reef and Rainforest Wonders
8.1
On the tropical coast of northern Queensland, this city is the main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Day boats take about two hours to reach outer reef sites such as Norman Reef and Saxon Reef. Liveaboards sail north to the Ribbon Reefs and the Cod Hole. Most operators offer introductory dives for beginners.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Explore the tropical waterfalls and swimming holes of Atherton Tablelands
  • 🚡 Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway above the treetops
  • 🐠 Snorkel or dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Federated States of Micronesia
Scattered paradise with tropical diversity
7.5
In 1944 a US air attack sank dozens of Japanese ships in Chuuk Lagoon. Today the wrecks are covered in coral and lie in water that is warm and clear. Tanks, trucks and aircraft can still be seen inside some holds. This country also includes Yap, which is known for manta rays.
Highlights:
  • 💰 Explore the ancient stone money on Yap Island
  • 🪼 Swim among giant jellyfish in Palau’s Lake
  • 🏛️ Visit the UNESCO-listed Nan Madol ruins, the "Venice of the Pacific"
Fiji
Tropical paradise with diverse landscapes
8.2
Friendly and colourful, this South Pacific country is known for its soft corals and reef walls. Beqa Lagoon has shark dives with bull sharks and tiger sharks. Taveuni and Rainbow Reef have strong currents and bright soft coral gardens. Fijian resorts often include dive shops and friendly local guides.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Explore the underwater coral gardens at Rainbow Reef
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine sands of Natadola Beach
  • 🌊 Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Mamanuca Islands
French Polynesia
Paradise of Crystal Clear Lagoons
8.9
Made up of 118 islands in five archipelagos, this territory has lagoons, passes and open ocean dives. Rangiroa and Fakarava in the Tuamotus are known for drift dives through channels with many sharks. Fakarava is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Moorea and Tahiti have easier lagoon dives with rays and reef fish.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel the coral gardens of Moorea’s turquoise lagoon
  • 🤿 Dive with sharks and manta rays in Rangiroa
  • 🏝️ Stay in an overwater bungalow above the Bora Bora lagoon
Palau
Pristine paradise with underwater wonders
8.3
East of the Philippines in the western Pacific, this island nation has limestone islands and deep walls. Blue Corner is a drift dive with strong currents, sharks and large schools of fish. German Channel has manta rays and Peleliu has wartime wrecks and caves. Ngemelis Wall drops far beneath the surface.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Paddle a kayak through Palau’s turquoise Rock Islands
  • 🤿 Dive into the stunning Blue Corner reef
  • 🌊 Swim among harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake
Whitsunday Islands
Paradise within Great Barrier Reef
9.0
Boat trips are the usual way to reach the outer reefs from these islands. Dive boats leave from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island for sites such as Hardy Reef. Hardy Reef has a pontoon, coral gardens and a famous heart shaped reef. Fringing reefs around Hayman and Hook islands suit beginners.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Hardy and Bait Reefs
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine white sands of Whitehaven Beach
  • ⛵ Sail the turquoise waters between the beautiful islands
Ningaloo Coast
Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland
9.1
Unlike most reefs, this long fringing reef begins just meters from the beach in places. Boat tours from Exmouth and Coral Bay go out to swim with whale sharks from about March to July. Manta rays are seen year round and humpback whales pass from July to October. Shore snorkelling at Turquoise Bay is popular.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
  • 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast
Solomon Islands
Tropical paradise with pristine waters
7.6
Remote and quiet, this island nation has few dive resorts and little boat traffic. Iron Bottom Sound near Guadalcanal has wartime ships and aircraft from 1942. Marovo Lagoon is one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world. Dive trips are often on liveaboards or from small island lodges.
Highlights:
  • 🪖 Visit WWII relics at Vilu War Museum
  • 🌊 Explore the vast Marovo Lagoon, world's largest
  • 🤿 Dive the wrecks of Bonegi Beach and Marovo
New Caledonia
Tropical Paradise with French Flair
8.0
Compared with many Pacific islands, this territory has a very large lagoon surrounded by a long barrier reef. The lagoons are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dive sites near Nouméa include coral gardens and wrecks. Amédée Islet has a lighthouse and calm water for snorkelling. The Isle of Pines has clear bays and rock formations.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Swim in the turquoise waters of the Natural Pool at Île des Pins
  • 🏛️ Explore Kanak culture at Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
  • 🌅 Climb to the top of Amédée Lighthouse for stunning views
Papua New Guinea
Last paradise of South Pacific
5.7
Pacific war fighting left ships and aircraft on the seabed around Rabaul and Milne Bay. Many wrecks are now covered in coral and filled with fish. Kimbe Bay has hundreds of coral species and steep walls. Tufi and Milne Bay are known for muck diving, the search for small, odd creatures.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Trek the historic Kokoda Track through dense rainforest
  • 🎭 Meet the colorful tribes at the Mount Hagen Festival
  • 🤿 Dive among WWII wrecks in Rabaul’s volcanic waters
Vanuatu
Tropical paradise with cultural diversity
7.6
May to October is the cooler dry season, with calm seas and clear water for diving. The SS President Coolidge, a huge WWII troopship, lies off Espiritu Santo. Divers can reach the ship from the shore and explore its large holds. Million Dollar Point has sunken US military equipment.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Swim in the magical blue holes near Espiritu Santo
  • 🤿 Snorkel the blue waters and coral reefs of Champagne Beach
  • 🌋 Hike to the rim of Mount Yasur, the world’s most accessible volcano
Marshall Islands
Remote atolls with pristine waters
7.5
Traditional stick charts, once used by navigators, are part of Marshallese culture. Bikini Atoll has wrecks of warships sunk during nuclear tests in 1946, including the USS Saratoga. Diving there is limited to small organised trips. Majuro, the capital, has lagoon dives with reef fish and sharks.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical fish
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pristine beaches of Majuro Atoll
  • 🤿 Dive at Bikini Atoll to explore historic WWII shipwrecks
Tonga
Tropical paradise with volcanic islands
7.8
With 169 islands in four main groups, this kingdom has few crowds underwater. From July to October humpback whales breed in the waters around Vava'u. Licensed operators run swim with whale trips. Reefs near Vava'u and Ha'apai have coral gardens and small caves. Mariner's Cave in Vava'u is entered from under the water.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Discover blowholes at Mapu'a 'a Vaea coast
  • 🗿 Explore the ancient Ha'amonga 'a Maui Trilithon
  • 🐋 Swim with humpback whales in Ha'apai waters
Great Barrier Reef
World's largest living coral wonder
Water is warm, between about 23 and 29 degrees Celsius, so diving is possible all year on this reef. June to October is the drier season, with calmer seas and clear water. From November to May, stinger suits are advised against jellyfish. Dwarf minke whales visit in June and July.
Highlights:
  • 🚁 Fly over the reef to spot the Heart Reef
  • 🤿 Take a scuba dive at the outer reef
  • 🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral gardens and tropical fish
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