The Great Barrier Reef is the first name on the list of the best dive sites in Australia that Toplist has compiled for you. Many people say that the Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's best diving destinations and a must-see on any trip to Queensland. Take a flight to Cairns to see everything this amazing reef system has to offer. When it comes to scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, you will be spoilt for choice with its 1400 miles of coastline and thousands of individual reefs. There is something for every diver, from coral-encrusted pinnacles and shark dives to encounters with friendly dwarf minke whales.

You can spend a few days on a liveaboard to explore the remote outer reefs or sign up for a day boat trip to snorkel or dive the nearby reefs. In any case, make sure to include a scenic flight over the mountains.

Location: The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Raine Island is one of Australia's lesser-known scuba diving highlights, and it's ideal for sea turtle enthusiasts. This island is also the next name on the list of the best dive sites in Australia that Toplist would like to introduce to you. Raine Island, tucked away in the far north of the Great Barrier Reef, has pristine reefs and one of the world's largest gatherings of sea turtles. For over 1000 years, it has been a green sea turtle nesting site, and tens of thousands of nesting sea turtles visit each year.

While there is some hard coral in the shallows, Raine Island's walls are covered in large gorgonians, sea whips, whip corals, and black coral trees. Raine Island is home to an abundance of turtles, which can be found sleeping on the beach or cruising the walls. Sharks, particularly grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks, are common on Raine Island, but tiger sharks also frequent the reef to feed on sick or injured turtles. Raine Island is also home to Maori wrasse as well as pelagic fish such as barracuda, trevally, mackerel, tuna, and rainbow runners.

Location: Raine Island, Queensland, Australia

The third name on the list is Townsville, which is well-known not only for its local dive sites but also for being the closest city to the mighty Yongala Wreck. If you enjoy wreck diving, you should not pass up the opportunity to dive the SS Yongala. This dive site is a true rockstar, consistently cited as one of the best diving destinations on the planet. It is a long way off the coast of Townsville, so visiting here onboard a liveaboard dive cruise is the best way to get the most out of this world-renowned site.

The Yongala, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, is one of the best-preserved wrecks in the world. She sank in 1911 and is still in great shape thanks to the Historic Shipwrecks Act, which prohibits anyone from entering the wreck. The wreck is a thriving artificial reef with numerous corals, fish, bull rays, and even passing bull sharks, and the interior is virtually untouched. At this wreck, one dive is never enough, so plan ahead and book a day or two there.

Location: Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Lady Elliot Island is the next name on the list of the best dive spots in Australia that Toplist has compiled for you. This island is passionately an immersive eco-experience, with a schedule that encourages you to eat, sleep, snorkel, and especially, dive. Inspector Clouseau, a pink manta ray, lives on Lady Elliot Island in the Great Barrier Reef. This bright pink manta, first spotted in 2015, has returned to the island several times and is impossible to miss due to its vibrant coloring.

While you might not see Inspector Clouseau on Lady Eliot Island, you have a good chance of seeing other mantas. It is one of the top five places in the world to go manta ray diving. Whales, numerous fish, sea turtles, and healthy coral can all be found in the island's rich waters. Simply choose from one of the island's 20 or so dive sites and have fun.

Location: Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, Australia

Rowley Shoals is without a doubt Australia's best-kept secret. In fact, Rowley Shoals liveaboards take divers to one of the world's last unspoiled diving destinations. This destination, located 300 kilometers off Australia's northwest coast and visited by only about 200 divers each year, offers excellent diving. The shoals are a haven for both reef and pelagic life, consisting of three pear-shaped atolls rising from the depths and perched on the continental shelf.

The Rowley Shoals have a plethora of spectacular dive sites, and liveaboard cruises departing from Broome will make sure you get to visit as many as possible. In addition, Rowley Shoals dive sites are diverse and offer something for everyone, from newly certified open-water divers to seasoned divers. There are wall dives and outer reef dives to enjoy in addition to thrilling drift dives and snorkeling through coral-encrusted channels. Mackerel, tuna, trevallies, sharks, massive corals, sailfish, and even humpback whales can be found on the reef walls.

Location: Rowley Shoals, Western Australia

Ningaloo Reef is the next name on the list of the best dive spots in Australia that Toplist would like to share with you. The Ningaloo Reef, Australia's largest fringing coral reef, stretches along with the stunning Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area and provides excellent diving away from the crowds of the Great Barrier Reef. From March to June each year, this reef in Western Australia is known for its whale shark encounters, with hundreds of whale sharks available to swim with. Dolphins, dugongs, mantas, and humpback whales use the reef as a migratory route, and sea turtles use the beaches as a breeding ground.

A day trip to the Ningaloo Reef is possible, but if you want to dive in more remote locations and see less-visited parts of the reef, a liveaboard tour for a few days is recommended. You should dive Ningaloo from March to May for the chance to see mass coral spawning, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and an underwater photography opportunity.

Location: Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

The next beautiful name on the list of the best dive sites in Australia, Rottnest Island, is only a short ferry ride away from Perth. With unique wildlife such as quokkas and excellent cave and wall diving, this small limestone island is one of Australia's most popular dive spots. Most visitors come to Rottnest Island to see quokkas, one of Australia's cutest marsupials, but divers should consider paying a visit to this picturesque island off the coast of Perth to see a unique wobbegong shark.

Historic shipwrecks, swim-throughs, and an abundance of marine life can all be found on Rottnest Island. In addition, this limestone continues to form caves, cavities, and ledges beneath the surface, resulting in some of Australia's most fascinating dive sites. At the aptly named Shark Cave dive site, expect to see barracudas, groupers, wobbegong sharks, and numerous nurse sharks. While you are there, you might even see a passing humpback whale.

Location: Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Port Lincoln is the eighth name on the list that Toplist has compiled for you. Port Lincoln is a popular spot for wreck diving and cage diving with white pointer sharks in the Boston Bay area of South Australia. Port Lincoln is the only place in Australia where shark cage diving is possible, and one of only a few places in the world, including South Africa and Mexico. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that all adrenaline junkies should put on their bucket lists. Besides, its waters are home to a diverse range of marine life, including squid, trevally, salmon, mullet, and yellowfin whiting, to name a few. Go cage diving with great white sharks if you are feeling daring. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Port Lincoln is one of the best places on the planet to do it.

From April to June, the Neptune Islands off the coast of Port Lincoln are home to a large number of white sharks, including enormous female sharks. Bring your camera, forget about your fears, and dive with these charismatic ocean giants.

Location: Port Lincoln, South Australia

Lord Howe Island is the next name on the list of the best dive sites in Australia that Toplist has compiled for you. Lord Howe Island in New South Wales is a perennial favorite among divers, thanks to its over 60 incredible dive sites, crystal-clear waters, and truly unique location. Lord Howe Island's waters are home to not only tropical but also subtropical and temperate marine life, thanks to its location at the crossroads of five major ocean currents. It is an underwater photographer's and naturalist's paradise, as well as the home of the world's tallest sea stack.

The underwater topography of Lord Howe, which includes trenches, caves, and volcanic drop-offs, adds to the island's awe-inspiring diving experience. Over 60 world-class dive sites are within a short boat ride (10-20 minutes) from the beach. Moreover, divers can also see rare and endemic species such as Spanish Dancers and Double Header Wrasse at many of the dive sites around Lord Howe Island.

Location: Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

Another hidden gem in Australia that you should add to your bucket list is Fish Rock. This rocky outcrop off New South Wales' South West Rocks is known for its sea cave and incredible biodiversity. The cave runs the length of the island, beginning at 24 meters and ending at 12 meters. It's not for claustrophobic divers, but adventurous divers will undoubtedly enjoy the cave's sheer abundance of life.

The cave is also home to a large number of nurse sharks, as well as large schools of fish, wobbegong sharks, and stingrays. The beauty that lies beneath the surface of Fish Rock is undetectable. Dive into the tunnel entrance, which is guarded by huge wobbegong sharks and a large bull ray. To name a few, you will see clusters of live cowry shells, a large Spanish dancer, bryozoan lace coral, and sea cucumbers. If you find it interesting, let’s take a trip there.

Location: Fish Rock Island, New South Wales