Spring
Diving Australia in November
Coral spawning, turtle nesting begins, and stinger season returns to the tropics.
November brings the Great Barrier Reef's mass coral spawning, turtle nesting on the southern cays, and the start of stinger season in tropical waters.
Christmas Island's whale shark season begins, tied to the red crab spawning, and the east coast warms quickly.
Southern Australia is comfortable again, and it is a strong month for combining temperate and subtropical diving in one trip.
Bundaberg & Southern Great Barrier ReefTurtle nesting begins on the coral cays; coral spawning on the reef.
Christmas IslandWhale shark season begins, coinciding with the red crab spawning.
SydneyWater warming quickly with weedy seadragon breeding activity.Rainbow Beach & Wolf RockFinal month of the pregnant grey nurse aggregation at Wolf Rock.
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.
Weedy SeadragonThe leafy's more widespread cousin — the signature animal of Sydney and Victorian shore diving.Also good in November
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.Grey Nurse SharkAustralia's most recognisable dive shark — ragged teeth, entirely harmless, and critically endangered on the east coast.Humpback WhaleHeard far more often than seen — the soundtrack to winter diving on both Australian coasts.Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)A docile, spotted bottom-resting shark that arrives on the east coast with summer's warm water.Manta RayReef mantas at cleaning stations — Lady Elliot and Ningaloo are the most reliable encounters in Australia.
Worth avoiding in November
- Tropical shore entries without a stinger suit — season is underway.
Green Turtle
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
Leafy Seadragon
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
Loggerhead Turtle
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
Weedy Seadragon
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
