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VERNON ISLANDS - (Full Day Trip) 5 mtrs approx. A 3 DIVE PACKAGE (2 SCUBA AND 1 SNORKEL). A full day out on Darwin’s only hard coral reef. Nice easy, shallow dives amongst the acres of Staghorn, Plate and Brain corals swarming with beautiful, small tropical fish. Even if you're not a SCUBA diver, this is great for snorkelling too !!
S.S. "BRISBANE" 12 mtrs The wreck of the SS "BRISBANE" is over 100 years old. She went aground on Fish Reef and there is still enough there to be a great dive. One of her huge anchors, the immense steering gear and rudder, the boiler and even some pottery still lies on the seabed. The wreck abounds with schools of Sweetlip, Coral Trout, Golden Snapper and lots of coral growth. Well worth the hour and a half trip out there.
FV "MARCHART III" 25 mtrs Sunk in 1987 as part of an on-going artificial reef, the trawler "MARCHART III" would have to be one of Darwin’s best dives. Enormous numbers of fish of every description inhabit the wreck, making it a spectacular dive! Turtles, Eagle Rays, Shovelnose Sharks, even the occasional Dolphin - anything is possible on the "MARCHART III".
BUS STOP REEF 25 mtrs Another of our artificial reefs, put down in mid 1991. Large numbers of fish have discovered this haven made up of huge truck tyres, disused pontoons and Bus Stop Shelters! Large Greasy Cod especially enjoy living in the tunnels formed by the tyres.
BROLGA, EAGLE, COCKATOO plus many more ! 25 mtrs Out at the Fenton Patches, there now lie up to 7 ex Chinese Refugee Boats, sunk in a circle around the Marchart III. These are all excellent dives, boasting large numbers of pelagic fish as well as the huge Cod, Rays and many other species of tropical fish!
EAST POINT BARGE (or DSAC BARGE) 22 mtrs A large ‘Dumb Barge’ sunk by the Darwin Sub Aqua Club is now host to large schools of Spanish Flag, Jewfish and Batfish. To attract even more fish to this wreck, another "artificial reef" has been built up beside it - 2 yacht hulls, and giant cement mixer barrels make for interesting fossicking.
JOHN HOLLAND BARGE 25 mtrs A work platform sunk to form part of an artificial reef in the middle of Darwin Harbour. Heaps of fish, large and small - from thousands of Glasseyes to huge Jewfish and Trevally. Swim through under the platform to find the Wobbegong Shark and docile Cod. A great night dive as well - that’s when the large Octopus appears!
"SONG SAIGON" 24 mtrs
Photo: The "Song Saigon" on the way down.
"HAM LUONG" 24 mtrs Another Vietnamese Refugee Boat from the late ‘70’s, the "HAM" is a very similar wreck to the "SONG", although it is alot smaller. It is alive with Decorator Crabs galore and the sponges and coral growth are spectacular at night! The Stonefish seem to like this wreck too!
"MEDKHUNAN" 24 mtrs The "....hunan" is Darwin's newest dive site and is already attracting lots of fish life. The illegal fishing boat was sunk on the 8th August 2007 close to the "Song Saigon", "Ham Luong" and "John Holland Barge". She came to rest lying on her side and is proving to be a great dive as there is plenty to explore on this large vessel. Already lots of fish life have amassed around the wreck and it will be interesting to see the coral growth develop as time goes by. This is definitely a "dive to do"!
This artificial reef is constructed from a gigantic bottle washing machine, it has quickly attracted many different kinds of fish - from Stonefish to Snapper and Jewfish. A great dive to see FISH !
TIPPER REEF 14 mtrs This reef is also in the Lee Point area. It is made up of a number of large trailers from semi-trailer dump trucks. Although they have sunk into the mud a little, they make great homes for the many species of large fish life. Lots of Jewfish and Snapper.
"KAY LEE" 14 mtrs The "Kay Lee" is in the same area as the Tipper Reef. It is a small fishing boat, donated by her owner to make an artificial reef. She was sunk very close to the Tippers in an effort to build up that reef site. This is a great little dive, which has attracted lots of fish in the short time it has been on the sea-bed.
MILLS REEF 14 mtrs Mills Reef is slightly further off-shore than the "Bottlewasher". It is a small area made up of some mining gantries and large framework and pipes etc. A haven for large schools of fish - everything comes here from Mackeral, Jewfish, Trevally and Sweetlip to the smaller fish species; Batfish, Angelfish, Pufferfish, Flathead, Snapper ..... the list goes on. A large Loggerhead Turtle has also taken up residence.
USAT
"MEIGS" 18 mtrs
(Sketch of the "Meigs" by Phil Franklin of the Darwin Sub-Aqua Club) An American Supply vessel, the ‘MEIGS’ was carrying, ammunition, Bren Gun Carriers, Trucks, spare parts, timber, scaffolding and railway lines, when she was bombed by the Japanese. All this cargo now lies scattered on the seafloor; .303 and .45 bullets, mortar shells, hand-grenades, decaying trucks and a Bren Gun Carrier with its caterpillar tracks clearly visible. Lots of coral and sponge growth and of course, heaps of fish hiding amongst the twisted remains! A favourite with the local divers!
USAT "MAUNA LOA" 18 mtrs
(Sketch of "Mauna Loa" by Phil Franklin of the Darwin Sub-Aqua Club) Another American Supply vessel - now famous for its Motor Bikes. Originally thought to be Harley Davidsons, they now appear to be British Enfields. The "MAUNA LOA" was also carrying a large amount of ammunition, trucks and an Armoured Personnel Carrier. Can you find them?
MV "ZEALANDIA" 18 mtrs Originally a Troop Carrier, the ‘ZEALANDIA" was in the process of boarding civilians evacuating out of Darwin at the time of the Air-raid. She now lies as scattered, twisted remains - a haven for the many Sweetlip, Cod, Golden Snapper, the unusual Puffer Fish, Wobbegong Sharks and thousands of colourful coral fish.
USS "PEARY" 27 mtrs This American Destroyer is probably the most famous of our WWII wrecks. She put up a good fight and went down with guns blazing! Unfortunately salvaged like the rest of the wartime wrecks, the "PEARY" is still an interesting dive. Shells from the "Big guns" can still be found scattered around amongst the rubble. MT "BRITISH MOTORIST" 18 mtrs The ‘BRITISH MOTORIST" was a Tankship in port at the time of the raid, bringing fuel to Darwin. At the time of the salvage, one half of the ship was bought up intact, patched up and used as a ‘dumb barge’ to carry the salvaged material. Because of this there is not much of the wreck to see, however there is alot of good coral growth and fish life.
"KELAT" - COAL BARGE 12 mtrs The "KELAT" was used during the war years to ferry coal to the ships in port for their boilers. She was towed up near South Shell Island ‘out of the way’ to sink after being hit in the Air-raid. However, the wreck still caused a hazard, so she was later ‘blown up’ and is now just twisted metal and piles of coal lying on the bottom. An enjoyable dive in relatively shallow water, with plenty of marine life including some large Decorator Crabs, Wobbegongs and Epaulette Sharks.
CATALINA A24-205 (FLYING BOAT) 12 mtrs One of the few aeroplane wrecks in the harbour. The CATALINA crashed on take-off in late 1942. The plane is still virtually intact with the nose broken off and one wing lying crumpled up underneath it. It is still possible to sit in the pilot’s seat and move the controls! An exciting dive, although it’s not usually the clearest ‘vis! Worthwhile having a look at on the "good" days in Darwin Harbour.
THE RIDGE 40 mtrs The Ridge is a great dive - perfect for DEEP DIVERS and even better if you're EANx qualified. A newly discovered site with a high wall of rock rising from about 40 mtrs up to a plateau at about 33 mtrs. Great soft corals and sponges, huge Gorgonian coral trees and good schools of Sweetlip and Trevally.
BENNETTS BOTTOM 35 mtrs A good deep dive for divers with DEEP DIVER SPECIALTY OR EQUIVALENT ONLY. An interesting reef consisting of gullies and walls, with many species of fish and corals not found on the shallower dives. At night, thousands of Feather Stars carpet the bottom.
THE BACKBONE 35 mtrs Another spectacular deep dive for those with DEEP DIVER OR EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS ONLY. A winding rock ridge with a lot of coral growth and large schools of BIG fish! An exciting dive to rival anything you've seen!
EAST POINT CORAL GARDENS 10 mtrs A favourite with the local divers, especially for night dives. Lots of soft corals and sponges, dozens of Nudibranchs, stingrays, Epaulette Sharks and tropical fish. Drift dives are great across this large area, as you cross many different habitats, sandy bottom, Sea Whip forests, soft coral gardens and rocky outcrops!
THE PINNACLE (or PLATTERS ROCK) 12 mtrs The Pinnacle rises up off the seabed to a depth of about 5 mtrs, so you can pick you own depth for the dive! A favourite spot to go Nudibranch hunting, or search for the Octopus or Turtles which always seem to be there!
THE GROTTOES 12 mtrs A large plateau about the size of a football field, honeycombed around the edge with small overhangs and caves. Turtles, large Greasy Cod, Sweetlip and large Sleepy Sharks can be found hiding in the caves. A top dive around the edge of the plateau, with a soft coral garden on top. This dive definitely has plenty going for it!
NO. 6 BUOY CORAL SLOPES 18 mtrs The Coral Slopes come alive at night with all the crustaceans and molluscs you can think of! Lots of sponges and soft corals, live shells and many different types of crabs, shrimps and prawns.
B25 BOMBER SITE 7 mtrs A nice easy reef dive on the site where a B25 BOMBER exploded into flames during the 1942 raid. A few remains of the plane can be found - engines, some framework etc. - but it is mainly coral bommies with the resident small tropical fish. A very pleasant dive, with a LONG bottom time!
OLD MAN ROCK 10 mtrs A good relaxing dive over an area of prolific reef life. Lots of sponges, soft corals, Nudibranchs and myriads of small tropical fish. Usually a chance of seeing some good size fish as well!
DUDLEY BOMMIES 7 mtrs Another shallow, easy reef dive - good during the rough weather. Dive over a series of large bommies covered with soft corals and sponges, which are home to lots of small colourful tropical fish, more Anenomes and Clown Fish than you can poke a stick at and stingrays, Nudibranch and much more.
"MANDORAH QUEEN" 21 mtrs The "QUEEN" as she is affectionately known, was a ferry running between Darwin and Mandorah. Unfortunately, it is now being covered over by sand so there is not much left to see, but is a small wreck with a host of BIG Jewfish and Greasy Cod. This is definitely an entertaining and relaxing dive - just lie on the sand in the middle of the wreck and the fish will come to you!
FV "BELLBIRD" 15 mtrs A Trawler which sank off Lamaroo Beach at the height of the cyclone. She lies on her side and is home to some quite reasonable size fish. This is a good dive in sheltered waters away from the wind.
FV "DIEMEN" 5 mtrs Another Trawler - she is now sitting intact apart from the wheelhouse, almost upright . Unfortunately the "Dieman" is slowly becoming buried under the sand and there is little left to see except the deck and the stern. There are still lots of fish on the wreck though - especially Stonefish ! Be very careful when swimming around the wreck as the Stonefish are in GREAT ABUNDANCE ! They are buried in the sand, on the deck, on the uprights, they are everywhere !
"BOOYA" 18 mtrs The "Booya" was a large sailing vessel - she became another victim of Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Her crew and their friends were having a few drinks for Christmas, making the most of being in port for the Christmas season. On hearing of the impending cyclone they decided to try to run out to sea before it hit. Unfortunately, she didn't get very far before the seas overcame her and she went down with all hands. The "Booya" is a protected wreck and can only be dived under strict guidelines by those holding a "Permit to Dive" issued by the Department of Heritage and Environment. She is a great dive though, and one not to be missed - as it has been untouched for 30 years, the fish life is amazing with great schools of GT's, large Cod and Groper as well as Snapper, Sweetlip and Bluebone Tuskfish.
PLEASE NOTE ! It is very important to realise that most of these sites are within our wonderful Australian National Parks. You ARE NOT ALLOWED to dive in these areas unless you have first obtained a written PERMIT from either the PARKS & WILDLIFE COMMISSION or PARKS AUSTRALIA. In some cases you will also need a Permit from the Traditional Owners of the land as well.
Please respect these conditions and we will all be able to continue enjoying these unique areas! Thank you.
BERRY SPRINGS NATURE PARK 6 mtrs This dive is only available from approximately April through to December due to the "Wet" season flooding. A pleasant dive during the "Dry", though as it is fed by a warm spring and the water temperature is about 30o C. There are lots of freshwater Catfish, Mangrove Jack, Barramundi, Archer Fish and a few Turtles to make the dive an interesting one. Please arrange for a "Permit" from the Parks & Wildlife Commission in Darwin prior to going to Berry Springs.
RUM JUNGLE LAKE 58 mtrs Rum Jungle Lake outside the small township of Batchelor is a flooded Opencut Uranium Mine (the first in Australia). This dive is one for DEEP DIVER SPECIALTY or EQUIVALENT ONLY. Although it is not necessary and certainly NOT recommended to go all the way to the bottom - there are ledges at about 18, 24, 30, 36, and 40 metres. Many factors come into play here and ALL must be considered to do the dive safely - the altitude of the site, disorientation, blackout, thermoclines, cold, and nitrogen narcosis. The staff at Coral Divers are very familiar with this site and often arrange dive trips here on Spring Tide weekends.
MATARANKA AREA 5-6 mtrs Sites at Mataranka include the 12 Mile Stockyards and Sergeants Hole on the Roper River, Mataranka Falls and "Kelly Springs" (an extension of the famous hot springs). Weekend trips to Mataranka are often arranged during the Dry season to dive these areas. Again permission must be sought from the Parks & Wildlife Commission before diving !
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A Vietnamese Refugee Boat sunk in
early 1980’s as part of the artificial reef. One of our best and most popular
dives - an intact wreck, sitting upright with lots of good coral growth, Cod,
Jewfish as well as many small coral fish. Watch out for the resident LARGE
Wobbegong Shark and the numerous Stonefish! A great dive!
