Flying Fish Cove (The Settlement)
42 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Flying Fish Cove (The Settlement) →AUSTRALIAN DESTINATIONS
Diving in External Territories
Explore 169 listed dive sites and find the local knowledge to help plan your visit.
Custom YouDive mascot art inspired by External Territories. An imaginative illustration, not a photograph or map of this destination.
Your bearings, in a minute
External Territories at a glance
Start with the local site mix, explore the map and find people to ask about your trip.
- Explore
- 169 site records
- Recorded settings
- Reef · Wall · Pinnacle/Bommie
- Map coverage
- 169 locations to explore
- Plan with local help
- Meet the listed operators
Directory counts describe published records, not bookable trips. Location confidence is shown separately in the map list. How we check information →
Sources, authorship and review status
Prepared by YouDive editorial with AI assistance. No firsthand visit, equipment test or instructor review is implied.
Independent specialist review: pending. We publish a reviewer’s name, qualifications, date and exact review scope only after the review has actually happened.
Who can contribute and how reviews work →Find your bearings
Explore External Territories on the map
Compare where the recorded sites sit, then open a site to read its access and source notes. Locations are for orientation, not marine navigation or entry instructions.
169 matching records · 169 with a map location · 0 without a usable position.
Admin Wall
Wall · 5–30 m
Approximate area
Admiralty (Osprey Reef)
Wall · 10–40 m
Approximate area
Amazing (Holmes Reef)
Wall · 3–20 m
Approximate area
Anchors Away (Bougainville Reef)
Wall · 10–28 m
Approximate area
Anemone City (Flinders Reef)
Pinnacle/Bommie · 5–25 m
Approximate area
Anson Bay
Shore/Rock Platform · 1–8 m
Approximate area
Around the Bend (Osprey Reef)
Drift · 3–35 m
Approximate area
Ashmore Reef
Reef · 2–30 m
Approximate area
Barracuda Bay
Reef · 5–25 m
Approximate area
Between the Wrecks (Bougainville Reef)
Drift · 10–40 m
Approximate area
Black Bank
Reef · 8–21 m
Approximate area
Boat Cave
Cave/Cavern · 4–16 m
Approximate area
The local notebook
Where should you start in External Territories?
Use the actual places attached to the local records to narrow your research. These are recorded nearby towns and areas, not verified departure points or accommodation recommendations.
West Island
32 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around West Island →Kingston / Burnt Pine
29 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Kingston / Burnt Pine →Cairns (liveaboard)
27 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Cairns (liveaboard) →Lizard Island (fly-dive) / Cairns (liveaboard)
13 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Lizard Island (fly-dive) / Cairns (liveaboard) →Townsville (liveaboard)
11 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Townsville (liveaboard) →Different outings to look into
| Local example | Recorded nearby place | Recorded access | Follow the evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina JX435 Wreck | West Island | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Boat Cave | Flying Fish Cove (The Settlement) | Boat | Recorded source ↗ |
| Around the Bend (Osprey Reef) | Lizard Island (fly-dive) / Cairns (liveaboard) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Herald Cays | Townsville / Cairns (expedition vessel) | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | Recorded source ↗ |
How to use this shortlist
Choose the named outing that interests you first. Compare its recorded place and access with your accommodation plans, then obtain the actual meeting address and schedule from the provider. The site links show the underlying depth, location confidence and source notes. Similar town names or map positions do not establish that two outings can be combined in a day.
A closer look at External Territories
Get a feel for the diving
Our External Territories directory currently includes 169 published site records. The largest recorded category is reef (51 records). Use the mix below to decide what you would like to read about first.
External Territories: what’s in the directory?
A visual guide to recorded site types. Counts show coverage, not popularity or current availability.
Source: published YouDive directory records for External Territories. Bars use the same scale within this graphic; the longest is the largest category, not 100% of the destination.
A few local records to compare
Start with Catalina JX435 Wreck, Boat Cave, Around the Bend (Osprey Reef). These are examples from different recorded categories, not a recommended route or a list of the best sites. Open each record for its sources, map and review notes.
| Site | Recorded type | Access | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina JX435 Wreck | Aircraft Wreck | Boat (day trip) | 4–6 m |
| Boat Cave | Cave/Cavern | Boat | 4–16 m |
| Around the Bend (Osprey Reef) | Drift | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | 3–35 m |
| Herald Cays Details need confirmation | Island | Boat (multi-day/liveaboard) | 5–40 m |
How the recorded depths compare
A dot shows a recorded maximum. A line joins the recorded minimum and maximum when both are available. These are site descriptions, not target depths or certification limits.
The table above contains the same depth values. Depth alone cannot establish suitability, and records may require correction. Source: the linked site records.
Give an island diving trip a little more planning room
The external-territory collection groups separate island destinations for browsing. Choose the actual island first, then research its transport, accommodation and diving as one connected itinerary.
Plan for the island you mean
A listing under External Territories does not describe a single travel region. Keep each island’s itinerary separate and confirm the current transport options with the relevant suppliers. Ask the dive provider which arrival dates and local transfers fit the proposed activity. Decide what needs booking together and what is a separate purchase before comparing package prices.
Check support before deciding what to bring
Describe the equipment, training and services you need for the intended outing. Ask what is available locally and what must be arranged in advance. Use the actual airline or transport provider’s baggage information for your route. Do not assume that a service available on one island is also available on another simply because both appear in this directory collection.
Give the itinerary room to change
Write down who to contact if transport or diving changes, and read the relevant booking terms before paying. Consider how an altered arrival affects accommodation, hire reservations and the first planned activity. Keep medical, travel and insurance questions with the appropriate professionals and suppliers. A tidy list of confirmed arrangements is more useful than an ambitious list of unconfirmed dives.
Three conversations worth having before you book
Island choice
Which exact island and arrival route are we planning?
Keep separate destinations as separate itineraries.
Equipment support
What can be reserved locally?
Confirm specific items and services.
Travel changes
What happens to dependent bookings?
Save contacts and written terms.
From “that looks lovely” to a plan
Make External Territories your kind of dive trip
Find your starting point, meet the local options and keep your ideas together. You do not need to have the whole trip worked out yet.
Where are you on your diving journey?
I’m just getting started
Find out how a first course works, compare your options and get comfortable asking questions.
I’m ready to explore more
Connect your next outing with useful reading and a conversation about the right training and support.
I’m thinking about teaching
Explore the professional pathway and prepare better questions for a training centre.
These are learning paths to explore, not prerequisites for every local site. Confirm the actual course, instructor and your readiness with the provider.
People to talk to about External Territories
A few operator profiles from this state or territory to start exploring. Shown alphabetically, not as a quality ranking. Ask about the specific trip or course you want.
Listed in this state or territory
Bounty Divers
Norfolk Island
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Listed in this state or territory
CI Wet'n'Dry Adventures
Christmas Island
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Listed in this state or territory
Cocos Blue Charters
West Island
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Listed in this state or territory
Cocosday Tours
West Island
Open the profile for contact details and recorded services, then ask about current arrangements.
Meet this operator →Let’s put the pieces together
Start with the place and your questions. Add dates and prices once you have spoken with the people running the trip.
Open my trips
Creates a new trip with this destination, useful reading and starter questions. Saved on this browser; export a backup from My trips.
THE LOCAL PLANNING BRIEF
Research each territory as its own destination
The external-territory collection groups geographically separate destinations for directory browsing. Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island and offshore reef records do not form one convenient travel region. Open the individual region page and build a separate transport, access and operator plan for that destination.
Choose the setting, then the trip Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 169 published site records across External Territories. The recorded categories include reef (51), wall (45), pinnacle/bommie (18), drift (13). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Start with one of the regional pages below. State-wide totals are useful for browsing, but the actual choice should be made at the level of an operator, a site and a proposed itinerary.
Research operators in External Territories →Ask before booking
- Which territory and jurisdiction does this itinerary visit?
- What park or access permissions apply to the exact location?
- What is the contingency if transport changes?
Save the answers with the contact name and date. Separate confirmed arrangements from items still waiting for a reply.
Record your trip questions →Island stays
Confirm the route, accommodation, equipment availability and actual departure schedule with local providers. Do not assume a mainland travel pattern applies.
Offshore reefs
A mapped reef may have restricted access or no ordinary visitor departure. Check the responsible park manager and the operator’s permitted itinerary.
Contingency planning
Keep time and budget flexibility around transport. Identify which bookings depend on another service arriving as planned.
Questions, answered
How do I choose a dive in External Territories?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 169 published records are research options, not a list of trips available today. Match the plan to your training, recent experience and the operator’s current requirements.
When should I visit External Territories for diving?
Choose dates with a provider who runs the activity you want, then discuss seasonal patterns, recent conditions and alternative itineraries. A generic best-month claim cannot establish the conditions at your exact site or guarantee a wildlife encounter.
Can I use these maps to enter or navigate a dive site?
No. Recorded and approximate map positions support orientation only. Confirm the exact access, permissions, meeting point and route with the responsible local provider or manager.
Regional planning context: Parks Australia — Australian Marine Parks ↗. Directory counts come from published YouDive records. Individual site claims remain subject to their source and review notes.
Find your region
Ashmore Reef1 sitesChristmas Island42 sitesCocos (Keeling) Islands36 sitesCoral Sea61 sitesNorfolk Island29 sites
Dive sites to explore
Search within External Territories, or narrow the list to a recorded dive type. Open a site for its map, sources and access notes.
169 matching site records. Listings do not confirm current access or availability.
EXT
Drift
DriftChristmas Island
The Cemetery
A gentle, shallow drift over colourful coral a few metres from shore – an ideal first drift dive.
EXTDrift
DriftNorfolk Island
The Crack (Nepean Island)
Drift along a bay of gutters and caves over a carpet of hard coral, with goldribbon cod, black cod and green turtles.
EXTMuck/Sand
Muck/SandChristmas Island
The Sandpatch
A dense garden eel colony and easy shallow reef right off the beach; the island's go-to training and night dive.
EXTWall
WallCoral Sea
The Zoo (Bougainville Reef)
Bougainville's signature site, crowded with sharks, turtles and schooling reef fish in clear oceanic water.
EXTCave/Cavern
Cave/CavernChristmas Island
Thunderdome Cave
A hidden entrance to a dome-shaped cave and an extensive, twisting system with air pockets and formations – the island's most…
EXTShore/Rock Platform
Shore/Rock PlatformCocos (Keeling) Islands
Trannies Beach
A calm, sheltered beach snorkel in a no-take National Park zone – ideal for children and beginners.
EXTPinnacle/Bommie
Pinnacle/BommieCoral Sea
Turbo (Holmes Reef)
A lagoon pinnacle that comes alive with pelagic fish when the tide runs.
EXTPinnacle/Bommie
Pinnacle/BommieNorfolk Island
Turtle Arch
Turtle-shaped pinnacle near Cooks Arch covered in coral and marine growth, to 21 m.
EXTReef
ReefCoral Sea
Turtle Cave (Holmes Reef)
Shallow bommies on sand at the Holmes overnight mooring – excellent visibility by day and a superb night dive.
EXTWreck
WreckCocos (Keeling) Islands
Two Caves Wreck
Broken-up remains of a Sri Lankan asylum-seeker boat – engines with a hull section beneath – on a reef with two caves.
EXTReef
ReefCocos (Keeling) Islands
Two Ridges
Two parallel coral ridges shaped like an upturned catamaran hull; a regular spot for manta rays and, historically, the resident…
EXTWall
WallCoral Sea
Walmart (Bougainville Reef)
A 700 m wall covered in colourful invertebrates and swarming basslets.
EXTPinnacle/Bommie
Pinnacle/BommieCoral Sea
Watanabe Bommie (Flinders Reef)
An office-block-sized pinnacle in open water, draped in soft corals and circled by pelagics and sharks.
EXTReef
ReefChristmas Island
Winifred Beach
A calm, sheltered west-coast reef of gullies and coral heads below a boat-access-only beach.
EXTWall
WallCocos (Keeling) Islands
Winter Wall
Full hard and soft coral cover on the reef top and rose corals spreading down the wall; a reliable choice in the trade-wind…
EXTWreck
WreckCoral Sea
Wreck of the Atlas (Bougainville Reef)
A shallow, coral-covered 1945 freighter wreck spread across Bougainville's reef top and slope.
EXTWreck
WreckCoral Sea
Wreck Reef (HMS Porpoise and Cato wreck sites)
The 1803 wreck sites of Matthew Flinders' HMS Porpoise and the Cato, on a remote reef with outstanding visibility.
EXTReef
ReefAshmore Reef
Ashmore Reef
A remote Commonwealth reef reserve with extraordinary biodiversity and traditional perahu wrecks.
Details need confirmationEXTReef
ReefChristmas Island
Barracuda Bay
North-coast reef and drop-off named for its schooling barracuda.
Details need confirmationEXTReef
ReefCoral Sea
Cato Reef
A remote southern Coral Sea reef with giant bommies, flat reef at 10–15 m and 40 m-plus visibility.
Details need confirmationEXTReef
ReefNorfolk Island
Cemetery Bay
Quieter Kingston snorkel beside the convict cemetery; best at mid to high tide on calm days.
Details need confirmationEXTCave/Cavern
Cave/CavernChristmas Island
Coconut Point Cave
A documented submarine cave beneath the Coconut Point drift – a scientific and technical cave site, not a recreational dive.
Details need confirmationEXTWall
WallCoral Sea
Deep Six (Bougainville Reef)
A seldom-described Bougainville Reef site (marinelife.org.au's list of additional Bougainville sites and Mike Ball's itinerary…
Details need confirmationEXTShore/Rock Platform
Shore/Rock PlatformChristmas Island
Dolly Beach
A remote palm-fringed reef beach with turtle nesting, rock pools and a freshwater stream – snorkel and camp.
Details need confirmation