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Scuba Diving in Australia in February

The warmest water of the year on the east coast, and the tail of the tropical wet.

Manta ray gliding over a reef while scuba divers watch from a distance
A responsible manta encounter, represented by an AI-generated editorial image.

February typically brings the warmest water on the east coast, often a degree or two above January, and it is the month tropical species reach furthest south.

It remains wet season in the tropics, with cyclone risk a genuine planning consideration for far north Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Southern Australia is at its most forgiving, and it is a good month for a warm-water diver's first experience of temperate conditions.

Best Places to Dive in Australia in February

Byron BayPeak tropical influence at Julian Rocks — leopard sharks, mantas and turtles.New South WalesNorth Stradbroke IslandManta rays at Flat Rock in the warmest water of the year.QueenslandJervis BayWarm, clear and settled — among the best months for the bay's walls.New South WalesRottnest IslandSettled summer conditions and the best visibility of the year.Western Australia

Ranked guide: the best dive sites in Australia in February →

Marine Life Peaking in February

Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)A docile, spotted bottom-resting shark that arrives on the east coast with summer's warm water.

Operators Diving February's In-Season Sites

Businesses documented at the sites where this month's peak species are found.

Blue Bay DiversBrunswick HeadsA Brunswick Heads charter running the 8.5-metre catamaran Bay Warrior to Julian Rocks and less-visited Byron sites such as Windarra Banks and the Cape Pinnacle.BoatSource-backed profileManta Lodge & Scuba CentrePoint LookoutSSINorth Stradbroke Island's only full-service scuba centre and an SSI Instructor Training Center, with two boats, on-site lodging, and technical and freediving training.BoatCoursesAdvancedProTechHireSource-backed profileWolf Rock Dive CentrePADIA Rainbow Beach operation specialising in Wolf Rock, an advanced offshore pinnacle site known for grey nurse sharks.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profileSunreef MooloolabaMooloolabaPADIThe Sunshine Coast's only PADI 5 Star IDC, with roots to 1976 and three dive vessels running the ex-HMAS Brisbane, Flinders Reef and humpback whale swims.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profileSundive Byron BayByron BayPADIByron Bay's PADI 5 Star dive centre, running three daily departures to Nguthungulli Julian Rocks with training from Try Scuba to Divemaster.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxPoolSource-backed profileByron Bay Dive CentreByron BayPADISSIByron Bay's original dive centre, running daily Julian Rocks dive and snorkel trips from The Pass with PADI and SSI training and an onsite pool.BoatCoursesAdvancedPoolHireSource-backed profileGold Coast Dive AdventuresRunaway BayPADIA Gold Coast operation focused on guided local diving and charter access to offshore sites.BoatCoursesHireSource-backed profileScuba World MooloolabaMooloolabaSSIA Mooloolaba SSI Instructor Training Center with air, Nitrox and oxygen, Extended Range and rebreather programmes, and boat trips to up to 15 local reef sites.BoatCoursesAdvancedProTechNitroxSource-backed profileGold Coast Dive CentreA Gold Coast training and service business serving local divers and visitors.CoursesAdvancedHireDirectory listing

Other Marine Life to See in February

Australian & New Zealand Fur SealsFast, acrobatic and endlessly curious — the highlight of Montague Island, Jervis Bay and Port Phillip.Australian Sea LionEndangered, endemic, and among the most genuinely playful animals a diver can meet.Eastern Blue GroperNew South Wales' state fish — large, inquisitive and often the first thing to greet a Sydney shore diver.Giant Kelp ForestTasmania's underwater forests — dramatically diminished, and worth seeing while they remain.Great White SharkEncountered in Australia from a cage at the Neptune Islands — wildlife tourism rather than scuba diving.Green TurtleThe most commonly encountered turtle on Australian reefs, and a reliable sight at Cook Island and the southern Great Barrier Reef.Leafy SeadragonSouth Australia's emblem and the most elaborately camouflaged fish in the world.Loggerhead TurtleHeavier-headed and less common than the green turtle, with a nationally significant nesting population near Bundaberg.Manta RayReef mantas at cleaning stations — Lady Elliot and Ningaloo are the most reliable encounters in Australia.

Worth avoiding in February

  • Far north Queensland and Darwin: cyclone season and wet-season run-off.

February Marine-Life Seasonality

Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

possible good peak
A summer visitor on the east coast, arriving with warm East Australian Current water and largely absent through winter.

Diving in January and March

← JanuaryPeak heat, peak crowds, warmest water nationwide — and stinger season in the tropics.March →Whale sharks arrive at Ningaloo; the east coast holds summer warmth without the crowds.