There are many reasons to travel to Australia and nearby locations; of course, we at Just Gotta Dive (JGD) love to head down under simply because the diving is fantastic! As one of our main goals is to promote the sport of scuba diving, we're always on the lookout for great dive destinations that welcome all divers, regardless of the level of experience. Luckily, Australia and Oceania have plenty to offer; in fact, if you're still on the fence about learning to dive, you can become certified and experience some top notch dive sites while on vacation in Australia. Ready for fun? Read on!
Australia
If you've lost track of the hours you've spent dreaming about relaxing in clear blue water while watching colorful fish and other marine life, then you're going to love diving in Australia. One reason this is such a great destination for beginning divers is that there is no shortage of dive sites suitable for those still building skill and confidence underwater. Many of the best sites are located along the Great Barrier Reef; others, including sites frequented by whale sharks, are located along the 260 kilometer Ningaloo Reef. You can dive in Australia all year round; shore dives, boat dives, and liveaboards are all outstanding options to keep in mind as you make your plans.
Fiji
A fantastic archipelago completely encircled by stunning reefs, Fiji offers shallow lagoons filled with soft corals that create a splendid backdrop for an endless parade of brightly colored tropical fish, soaring manta rays, curious dolphins, sea turtles, and reef sharks. Many dive sites in Fiji are suitable even for snorkeling, so if your idea of a great vacation is to spend as much time in the water as possible, then look no further! Many dive sites here can be easily accessed from shore, while others are just a short boat ride away; the resorts are world class, and in the event you're traveling with an expert diver, there are plenty of exciting advanced dive sites here too. Once you visit Fiji, you'll understand just why it's a Scuba Divers Travel Network favorite destination.
Palau
The Republic of Palau offers something for all divers, and like Fiji and Australia, it is a great place to learn to dive and to work on building advanced skills. The sheer number and variety of dive sites here is incredible, as is the marine life you'll find all along the nation's splendid coral reefs. While expert divers love Palau for its drift diving, its tunnels, its caves, and its wrecks, newer divers find the many sheltered coral gardens ideal. Even the newest divers will enjoy encountering manta rays and mandarinfish, giant clams that weigh in at as much as a quarter of a ton apiece, and even a lake filled with millions of tiny stingless jellyfish.
At some point, many divers decide to give underwater photography a try. If you're considering it, we think these are some of the best destinations you'll find anywhere for building skill at capturing images of amazing marine life, because there is no shortage of subjects. Whether this is something you've considered in the past or not, now is definitely the time to think about giving it a go. Most of all though, enjoy your vacation. You'll find that no matter which of these destinations you choose, the experience will be unforgettable.