What to expect: Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef for the first time
Guide
By Lucille Burkitt
If you’re only exploring what’s above the water, you’re missing half the magic in Queensland. This captivating corner of the world is home to unique creatures and depth dwellers you won’t find anywhere else in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is incredible by boat, but absolutely life changing if you drip below the water line. Uncover a whole new world and entirely different ecosystem through a scuba mask.
If you’ve done the rounds by snorkel and you’re looking for a new experience, scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef is the next logical move. The reef is the largest coral structure in the world, and while you can hold your breath and weave through creatures by snorkel – scuba is the way to go if you don’t want to miss a moment when coming up for air. Where there’s water, there are worlds. They’re just waiting for you to learn to breathe underwater.
Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef need not be intimidating though - the waters are protected and the perfect place to acquire your learner-plates. While it might not be a skill you learn growing up, newbies can feel confident they’re in good hands and tours are fully geared to get you diving within your comfort zone. Slip below the water and feel the cosmic nature of the reef - no matter how deep you choose to dive. First thing’s first though - becoming comfortable with scuba basics. We’ve put together a list of expectations so that once you’re on a Discover Scuba Diving course (first divers’ course), you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
1. Come prepared to leave inspired
There are some things to take with you and things to know before you dive in. Breathing through your mouth and beneath the water is a really unnatural experience, so don’t feel deflated if it takes a little time to adjust. Another is that the calm, relaxing, underwater world can actually be quite noisy when breathing through a scuba suit - this might also take some time getting used to, but don’t be alarmed by the sounds of whooshing water and your own heavy breath. You’ll quickly acclimatise to the scuba mask - losing your peripheral vision is a strange feeling at first but your body quickly adjusts. Learning these new skills is part of the sensation.
Most scuba diving courses will supply all the gear you need, but you’ll need to bring along some essentials - a large water bottle for the trip, a towel, a set of dry clothing and an underwater camera to capture the moment!
2. Learn first. Scuba second.
PADI-trained dive instructors are abundant on the Great Barrier Reef and you’d be hard-pressed to find a diving or snorkelling trip that doesn’t offer the option of Discover Scuba.
While this won’t mean you’re certified to dive by yourself, it’s a safe and exhilarating way to have an introduction to diving and get used to the depths. You might be working one-on-one or being schooled in a tour group, like with Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive, who operate full-day dive adventures to the pristine Lodestone Reef – a two-hour boat trip from Townsville and Magnetic Island.
Your instructor will start out by explaining the gear you need to use when scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, so you’ll be across the necessary acronyms before you know it. They’ll also give you an overview of the reef itself and talk about the coral and marine life you can expect to see on your dive. Think turtles, groupers and colours from storybooks.
3. Learning to breathe underwater
There are a few basic skills you need to master before you’ll be ready to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef. The main one is how to equalise – as you descend, the pressure builds so pinching your nostrils and blowing gently will help to clear your ears and prevent any discomfort. Don’t be afraid to equalise every few seconds, or every half a metre, and continue to do so throughout your dive – no need to push through the discomfort!
Next, you’re going to need to fill your mask halfway with water and clear it without rising to the surface. Then, you’ll be asked to remove your diving regulator (reg) – aka the mouthpiece you breathe through – while you gently blow out, then place it back into your mouth and continue breathing calmly.
To have you feeling safe for your dive, your instructor will also teach you some universal hand signals like: “Are you okay?”, “problem”, “go up” and “go down”. Your dive instructor might have a few more to capture your attention when they see something worth looking at during your Great Barrier Reef scuba dive.
4. Get dressed for the occasion
Your tour guide will then run you through your suits, their purpose and get you dressed for the occasion. A fun, and important step (best to have a camera handy to capture this moment, the suits are a statement worth a snapshot). Once you’re into your wetsuit or stinger suit, you’ll need to add a weight belt. Your instructor will tell you how many weights you need and prepare your mask with a little anti-fog liquid. Give the mask a good rinse in the water before using it.
After you’ve got your fins on your feet, slip the BCD and tank on, and adjust the clips and straps so it’s comfortable and secure. Again, your instructor will be on hand to help you out, there’s not a moment of this journey where you’re left to fend for yourself.
Note: Stinger season in North Queensland is between November to May each year.
5. Find your comfort zone under water
Photo by @exploregroupaus
Not everyone is a natural at scuba diving, it takes some adjusting, and that’s okay! Being beneath the surface for 40 minutes isn’t a natural concept – but all good things require a little effort. This one is especially spectacular and inspiring.
Next you’ll get in the water and find your comfort zone. No matter how long it takes you to adjust, you’re in good hands and good company. Let a little air out of your BCD and start to descend. Start to soak in your surrounds, hone your attention, and welcome the experience. The key is to keep your breathing nice and steady, and use calm, controlled movements. A good instructor will notice any panicky hand gestures or facial expressions and help you safely out of the water if you’re not feeling your best.
6. Dive right in
Once you’ve become comfortable with breathing, signalling, and acclimatised to the feelings of weightlessness, you can start to soak in the scenery. This is a land you haven’t witnessed before. Like travelling the globe in another dimension – scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef will have your hands signalling ‘wow’ every couple of moments. Be still with the water as wildlife exists around you. You’re in their home now.
You’ll be able to look up at the undercarriage of some incredible coral polyps and ledges, spot the clownfish and larger fish that duck and hide underneath their private ledges and anemone closets. You’ll ogle starfish and sea cucumbers up close, and watch stingrays flutter their way from the seabed.
Keep an eye on your air (your instructor will be checking on this too) and try to keep your arms calm and let your legs do most of the work. Of course, be conscious not to touch, knock or stand on any coral – it took thousands of years to look as beautiful as it does – and you wouldn’t want to leave it any differently than you came.
7. You loved it. What now?
Got the option of a second intro dive? Loved what you saw? Then go for it! Most operators offer a discount on the second DSD of the day.
Once you return to land or boat, you might be asked to sign in and you’ll be asked to report on your depth and how long you were underwater – this information is captured on your dive computer, which sits above your submersible pressure gauge and is attached to your BCD.
One of the best things about diving is the swapping of stories afterwards and reliving the incredible diversity of marine life you’ve just been a part of. Hooked on adrenaline and adventure, most people find once they scuba pop, they can’t stop.
