Best diving by month · 2026 guide

The Best Diving in Australia in March

March is peak season for leopard shark (zebra shark) at the sites below.

Sites are ranked by how many species are at or near their seasonal best in March. See the full month guide for water temperatures and what to avoid.

Tasselled wobbegong resting camouflaged on a rocky reef

Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli)

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Open Water · ≤18 m~15 m typical, 25 m maxBoat divereef · island

Where tropical and temperate waters meet — more than 20 shark and ray species recorded.

The ecological importance of the site comes from the meeting of tropical and temperate influences. Warm water arriving on the East Australian Current mixes with cooler temperate water, and species from both systems occur here together.

Look for: Green Turtle, Grey Nurse Shark, Humpback Whale, Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

Who takes you there Sundive Byron Bay Byron Bay Dive Centre

Blue Bay Divers

Full Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) guide →

Scuba diver and green sea turtle above a tropical coral reef

Cook Island

Gold Coast, Queensland

Open Water · ≤18 m~14 m typical, 20 m maxBoat diveisland · reef

An aquatic reserve off Tweed Heads with a resident turtle population and seasonal grey nurse sharks.

The protected status has produced habituated marine life, and divers regularly encounter multiple turtles on a single dive.

Look for: Green Turtle, Grey Nurse Shark, Humpback Whale, Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

Who takes you there Gold Coast Dive Centre Gold Coast Dive Adventures

Full Cook Island guide →

Green sea turtle swimming above a sunlit coral reef

Flat Rock

North Stradbroke Island, Queensland

Advanced · 18–25 m~20 m typical, 30 m maxBoat divereef

Southeast Queensland's premier big-animal site — grey nurse sharks, mantas and turtles.

A gutter on the rock's northern side is a recognised grey nurse shark aggregation area in the cooler months, while manta rays arrive through summer.

Look for: Green Turtle, Grey Nurse Shark, Humpback Whale, Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

Who takes you there

Manta Lodge & Scuba Centre

Full Flat Rock guide →

Wolf Rock

Rainbow Beach & Wolf Rock, Queensland

Advanced · 18–25 m~25 m typical, 35 m maxBoat divereef

An offshore volcanic pinnacle and one of the few known aggregation sites for pregnant grey nurse sharks.

The site is particularly associated with grey nurse sharks and large rays. It is one of the few known aggregation sites for pregnant female grey nurse sharks, which gives it genuine conservation significance.

Look for: Grey Nurse Shark, Humpback Whale, Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark), Manta Ray

Who takes you there

Wolf Rock Dive Centre

Full Wolf Rock guide →

Sunshine Coast Reefs

Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Open Water · ≤18 m~15 m typical, 25 m maxBoat dive · Shore divereef

Local rocky reef systems off Mooloolaba and Noosa, including Old Woman Island and Inner Gneerings.

These are subtropical rocky reefs rather than coral systems, with ledges, gutters and boulder terrain holding a mix of tropical and temperate species.

Look for: Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

Who takes you there

Sunreef Mooloolaba Scuba World Mooloolaba

Full Sunshine Coast Reefs guide →

Questions about this list

How is this list ranked?

Ranked from our species seasonality data: each site scores for the species recorded there that are at peak or good levels in March, then by how well documented the site is. Nobody pays to be listed.

Can a business pay to appear here?

No. Listings and order come from our research only. Businesses can ask us to correct their details, but not to change their position.

How current is this guide?

It is generated from the directory's latest research, checked in 2026. Conditions, operators and seasons change — confirm details with the operator before you book.

All best-of guides →

Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli)

Cook Island

Flat Rock

Wolf Rock

Sunshine Coast Reefs

Questions about this list

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