Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest May–Sep · Moderate current · 19–29°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
- Current
- Moderate
- Water temperature
- 19–29°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
- Visibility
- 15–40m: Lady Elliot reports regular 20m-plus visibility and occasional 40m; this should not be generalised to every southern reef or month.
- Experience
- Many island sites suit Open Water divers, but eastern walls, caves and tidal channels may require Advanced-level experience.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | peak season |
| June | peak season |
| July | peak season |
| August | peak season |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Seen year-round around Lady Elliot, with larger aggregations reported during winter.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | not seen |
| February | not seen |
| March | not seen |
| April | not seen |
| May | not seen |
| June | rare |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | rare |
| November | not seen |
| December | not seen |
Whales migrate through the region and songs may be heard underwater; scuba encounters are opportunistic.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Possible throughout the operating year; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Possible throughout the operating year; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.
See all 8 species
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Heron Bommie
Heron Bommie: Isolated bommie near Heron Island.
5–18m · Mild current
Lady Elliot Blowhole
The cave is optional overhead terrain; divers without suitable comfort should remain outside.
14–25m · Moderate current
Lighthouse Bommies
Lighthouse Bommies: Manta cleaning habitat.
12–25m · Moderate current
See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to BNE. Typical trip $$–$$$.
Route overview
Moderate
Reachable but with some friction: 1 domestic flight, a 3h overland transfer, a 2h boat crossing.
Airport options
BNE
Brisbane Airport
Domestic flight or road connection onward to the selected island transfer point
Typical trip cost
$$–$$$
$2,000–4,000 to over $4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Island accommodation and transfers dominate cost.
- Heron published AUD 95 per single dive for its 2025–26 tariff before equipment, while Lady Elliot packages and flights vary by origin and stay length.