Autumn
Scuba Diving in Australia in May
The cuttlefish arrive at Whyalla, and grey nurse season builds on the east coast.
May is the month southern Australia's signature events begin. The giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation starts at Whyalla, and the spider crab aggregation begins in Port Phillip Bay.
On the east coast, cooling water pushes grey nurse shark numbers up at the aggregation sites, and Lady Elliot's manta season begins.
Tropical Queensland enters its dry season, which is the most reliable time of year for reef diving.
WhyallaThe giant cuttlefish aggregation begins — tens of thousands of animals in a few metres of water.
Bundaberg & Southern Great Barrier ReefManta season beginning at Lady Elliot Island.
South West RocksGrey nurse shark numbers building at Fish Rock as water cools.
Mornington PeninsulaGiant spider crab aggregations typically begin at Blairgowrie and Rye.Ranked guide: the best dive sites in Australia in May →
Giant Australian CuttlefishThe world's largest cuttlefish, gathering in tens of thousands at Whyalla each winter.
Giant Spider CrabTens of thousands of crabs piling into the shallows of Port Phillip Bay to moult, in one of Victoria's strangest dives.
Grey Nurse SharkAustralia's most recognisable dive shark — ragged teeth, entirely harmless, and critically endangered on the east coast.
Manta RayReef mantas at cleaning stations — Lady Elliot and Ningaloo are the most reliable encounters in Australia.Whale SharkThe world's largest fish, and at Ningaloo an encounter you snorkel with rather than dive.Businesses documented at the sites where this month's peak species are found.
Diving AdelaideGlandorePADIAn Adelaide training and guided diving operation serving local sites and organised trips.BoatCoursesAdvancedNitroxHireSource-backed profile
South West Rocks Dive CentreSouth West RocksA family-run South West Rocks operation that has run daily charters to Fish Rock since 1980, including the 125-metre cave traverse.BoatCoursesAdvancedNitroxHireStaySource-backed profile
Fish Rock Dive CentrePADIA South West Rocks operation running regular Fish Rock and Fish Rock Cave trips from a 12-metre purpose-built vessel, with Nitrox supplied and PADI training.BoatCoursesAdvancedNitroxHireSource-backed profile
Wolf Rock Dive CentrePADIA Rainbow Beach operation specialising in Wolf Rock, an advanced offshore pinnacle site known for grey nurse sharks.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profile
Manta 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 profile
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 profile
Jetty Dive CentreCoffs HarbourPADICoffs Harbour's PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, running the Solitary Islands dive fleet from the Jetty Strip with training, retail, Nitrox and whale swims.BoatCoursesAdvancedProNitroxHireSource-backed profile
Wooli Dive CentreWooliPADIThe closest operator to North Solitary Island and Pimpernel Rock, with its own 12-metre catamaran and riverside divers' accommodation in Wooli.BoatCoursesAdvancedHireStaySource-backed profile
Extra Divers Christmas IslandChristmas IslandChristmas Island's locally operated dive centre in Settlement, with a 16-diver boat at Flying Fish Cove, shore and night dives, courses and diver accommodation.BoatCoursesAdvancedNitroxHireStaySource-backed profileOther Marine Life to See in May
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.Humpback WhaleHeard far more often than seen — the soundtrack to winter diving on both Australian coasts.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.
Giant Australian Cuttlefish
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Giant Spider Crab
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possible good peak
Grey Nurse Shark
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possible good peak
Manta Ray
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possible good peak
