Explore Queensland’s best dive sites at night

Home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, 900 islands, well preserved shipwrecks and incredible biodiversity, Queensland is a diver’s dream.  When the sun goes down, Queensland’s underwater world lights up with torch beams and bioluminescent creatures.

Dive at night and see the depths like never before, as some sea animals bunker down and others come out to play. Spot parrotfish resting in their sleeping bags (protective mucus sacs to be precise), reef sharks cruising for dinner, or manta rays gliding.                                                                                                                                

From the underwater disco of ‘Fluoro Diving’, to discovering nocturnal sea life and exploring shipwrecks in the dark, there’s a whole new world waiting to be discovered.

So, grab your flippers and dive on in to our guide to Queensland's best night dives.

Before You Go

Most night dive experiences require divers to be certified. Many of the operators in this article offer diving courses and certifications—or see here for where you can get PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified on the Great Barrier Reef.

In terms of equipment, most operators have weights and tanks available for hire (usually for a fee), or you can bring your own. Check in with your operator before you go, so you’re not caught short!

Tropical North Queensland 

Divers Den | Fluoro Dive & Sharks in the Dark with Divers Den

See the Great Barrier Reef turn into a technicolour dreamscape or swim with sharks with Divers Den’s ‘Fluoro Diving’ (a special mask filter brings out neon colours) and ‘Sharks in the Dark’ experiences.  

Certified divers can experience fluoro diving on an evening trip from Cairns (you’ll need to book a guide if it’s your first night dive) or sample it and Sharks in the Dark from a three-Day, two-Night liveaboard tour.  

Cairns Dive Adventures | Coral Sea and Outer Reef

Let your torch guide you through the Coral Sea and Outer Reef with Cairns Dive Adventures and spot crustaceans, lively sea bass and reef sharks.

Hop onto a liveaboard voyage of up to seven nights and experience morning and night dives across the Cairns Outer Reef or Coral Sea. Divers of all experience levels are welcome with introductory night dives for beginners. 

Cairns Dive Adventures also offer coral spawning night dives, where millions of corals are born in the world’s largest reproduction event (usually around November each year). 

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions | Minke Whales and Fly Dive Itineraries

As well as night dive options, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions offer ‘Special Expeditions’ and unique itineraries that combine night diving opportunities with one-of-a-kind experiences.

From June to July, dive into the crystal winter waters and swim with Minke Whales as these gentle giants cruise through the Reef. Or book a ‘Fly Dive’ itinerary featuring a scenic flight passing just 180 metres above the reef.

Enjoy it all from aboard the Spoiltsport. This vessel is perfect for diving and relaxing, with spacious rooms, large decks and camera stations for keen photographers.

Spirit of Freedom | Ribbon Reef, Cod Hole and Osprey Reef

Dive into the night with Spirit of Freedom and experience Ribbon Reef, site of the world-famous Cod Hole and its families of potato cod, as well as Osprey Reef’s 1,000-metre coral walls.

Recommended for advanced divers (with at least 20 logged ocean dives including five in the past year), Spirit of Freedom offers a three-Day Ribbon Reef and Cod Hole and four-Day Coral Sea Liveaboard Tour, both including at least one night dive. There’s also a seven-Day tour that combines both experiences.

Townsville

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions | SS Yongala Wreck

As well as their tours out of Cairns, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions offer tours to the SS Yongala Wreck as well as other dive sites in the region including Flinders Reef and Wheeler Reef—widely regarded as two bucket list night dive sites.

Remote Area Dive | Magnetic Island Night Safari

Just 20 minutes by boat from Townsville lies Magnetic Island, an idyllic island covered in hoop pines and granite boulders surrounded by 23 golden beaches and magical fringing reefs. Explore these reefs at night with Remote Area Dive’s night safari from Townsville, offering certified divers two night dives on a half-day trip.

Adrenalin Dives | SS Yongala Wreck and Coral Spawning

You already know Queensland is home to globally renowned reefs, but did you know it’s also where you’ll find some of the world’s most pristine shipwrecks?

One of the best to dive is the SS Yongala, which disappeared during a cyclone off the coast of Townsville in 1911. It was found 40 years later encrusted in coral with gropers, sea snakes and shovel-nosed rays calling it home.

Explore the Yongala as the first rays of morning sun rise up over the Coral Sea with Adrenalin Dive. This magical experience is available as part of the six dives included in their two-Day, two-Night Yongala Wreck Liveaboard Tour.

Adrenalin Dive also offers front row seats to the annual spawning event, with a four-Day, four-Night Coral Spawning Liveaboard Tour. 

Whitsundays

Sailing Whitsundays | Apollo Sailing Tour

Sail the turquoise waters of The Whitsundays on the Apollo Maxi-Yacht, a previous winner of the prestigious Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Catch a kaleidoscope of colour by day at Stonehaven Bay or Langford Reef or dive at night on this fun and social tour that’s perfect for people aged 18-35.

Kiana Sail & Dive | Whitehaven Beach and Whitsundays Night Diving

Feel the silica sands of Whitehaven Beach underfoot and dive the turquoise waters of The Whitsundays with Whitsunday Sailing Adventures five-day four-night and three-day two-night tours aboard the Kiana. Explore Bait Reef’s ‘stepping stones’, deep drop offs and garden lagoons, with night dive options available.  

The best bit? With a Master Reef Guide and diving instructor onboard, together with a maximum of eight passengers, the luxurious Kiana is one of the most personalised ways to explore the reef.

Southern Great Barrier Reef

Lady Musgrave Experience | Dive and Sleep on the Reef

Can't get enough of the night? Lady Musgrave Island is for you! Dive the night before sleeping on the reef.

Lady Musgrave Experience’s overnight packages showcase the resident turtles, manta rays and migrating humpback whales (visit during May to August for peak manta spotting!) before mooring at Lady Musgrave HQ—a three level pontoon in a sheltered lagoon. Here you can dive straight in at dusk and spot mandarinfish, visit the turtle cleaning station, or go night diving.

Afterwards, sleep on the reef—either glamp up on the deck in style or drift off to sleep in the underwater observatory as the sea outside floats by.

Heron Island | David Attenborough’s Magic Place

Home to the would-famous Heron Bommie, an ancient coral mountain, as well as 60% of the 1,500 fish species found on the Great Barrier Reef, it’s no wonder that David Attenborough described Heron Island as the most magical place on earth.

Teeming with wobbegong and manta rays, these waters are spectacular enough during the day. But you’ll see them from a whole new perspective at night as you shine a light on the coral gardens and pinnacles. To dive Heron at night, you’ll need 20 dives under your belt and at least one dive on your trip.

Lady Elliot Island | Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Lonely Planet calls Lady Elliot Island one of the world’s best snorkelling sites. They’re right! But has anyone told them about the scuba diving? Jump in here and experience unparalleled biodiversity, sharing the water with giant manta rays and nesting turtles. Add a night dive during your stay at the Eco-Resort to really complete the experience.

To dive at Lady Elliot, you’ll need to be a certified diver with your most recent dive in the last 12 months. Don’t worry if it’s been a while—the island offers a free refresher course (just remember that you’ll need to allow 12-18 hours between diving and flying).

Sunshine Coast

Sunreef Mooloolaba | HMAS Brisbane and Fluoro Night Dives

Set Sail from Mooloolaba and explore the HMAS Brisbane, a sunken navy ship transformed into a dive site after it was de-commissioned. Dive in at night and you’ll find hermit crabs and lazy leopard sharks swimming around the engine room and weapons control room.

Sunreef also offer ultraviolet fluoro night dives around the area’s local reefs, including Mudjimba Island, Nurse Rock, caves, and Hanging Rock.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast Dive Adventures | Scottish Prince Wreck Night Dive

Just off Southport’s Main Beach lies the wreck of the Scottish Prince. This iron baroque ship from Glasgow sank in stormy conditions in 1887 after running aground—but not before thirsty locals looted its cargo of beer and whisky.

Today it’s a pristine dive site, with the occasional long lost beer bottle popping out of the sand. Certified divers with experience in the last six months and at least one prior night dive can explore it at night with Gold Coast Dive Adventures.