Brisbane (Scarborough / Manly); Bulwer, Moreton Island
8 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Brisbane (Scarborough / Manly); Bulwer, Moreton Island →Queensland
Diving in Brisbane & Moreton Bay
Brisbane's diving is better than most visitors expect. Flinders Reef, off the northern tip of Moreton Island, has more coral species than many outer-reef sites and resident turtles and wobbegongs; the Tangalooma Wrecks are 15 scuttled vessels you can snorkel from the beach; the Curtin Artificial Reef is a 30-year collection of scuttled boats and cars off Cowan; and Cherubs Cave and Henderson Rock on the east side of Moreton hold grey nurse sharks in winter.
Custom YouDive mascot art inspired by Queensland. An imaginative illustration, not a photograph or map of this destination.
Your bearings, in a minute
Brisbane & Moreton Bay at a glance
Start with the local site mix, explore the map and find people to ask about your trip.
- Explore
- 34 site records
- Recorded settings
- Wreck · Reef · Artificial Reef
- Map coverage
- 34 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 Brisbane & Moreton Bay 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.
34 matching records · 34 with a map location · 0 without a usable position.
Aarhus Wreck
Wreck · 18–25 m
Approximate area
Alden's Cave (Flinders Reef)
Cave/Cavern · Not recorded
Approximate area
Bongaree Jetty (Bribie Island)
Jetty/Pier · 1–6 m
Approximate area
Brennan Shoal
Reef · 12–25 m
Approximate area
Bulwer Wrecks
Wreck · 1–6 m
Approximate area
Cementco Wreck
Wreck · 16–30 m
Approximate area
Cherubs Cave
Cave/Cavern · 20–30 m
Approximate area
China Wall
Wall · 15–30 m
Approximate area
Comboyuro Point
Drift · 15–40 m
Approximate area
Cowan Cowan
Shore/Rock Platform · 1–12 m
Approximate area
Curtin Artificial Reef
Artificial Reef · 12–30 m
Approximate area
Flinders Reef
Reef · 3–28 m
Approximate area
The local notebook
Where should you start in Brisbane & Moreton Bay?
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.
Brisbane (Scarborough / Manly); Moreton Island
6 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Brisbane (Scarborough / Manly); Moreton Island →Brisbane (Manly); Moreton Island
4 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Brisbane (Manly); Moreton Island →Bulwer, Moreton Island
3 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Bulwer, Moreton Island →Cowan Cowan / Bulwer, Moreton Island; Brisbane (Manly)
3 site records refer to this town or area.
Look for operators around Cowan Cowan / Bulwer, Moreton Island; Brisbane (Manly) →Bongaree, Bribie Island
1 site record refers to this town or area.
Look for operators around Bongaree, Bribie Island →Different outings to look into
| Local example | Recorded nearby place | Recorded access | Follow the evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtin Artificial Reef | Cowan Cowan / Bulwer, Moreton Island; Brisbane (Manly) | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Alden's Cave (Flinders Reef) | Brisbane (Scarborough / Manly); Bulwer, Moreton Island | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Comboyuro Point | Bulwer, Moreton Island | Boat (day trip) | Recorded source ↗ |
| Bongaree Jetty (Bribie Island) | Bongaree, Bribie Island | Shore | 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 Brisbane & Moreton Bay
Get a feel for the diving
Our Brisbane & Moreton Bay directory currently includes 34 published site records. The largest recorded category is wreck (10 records). Use the mix below to decide what you would like to read about first.
Brisbane & Moreton Bay: 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 Brisbane & Moreton Bay. 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 Curtin Artificial Reef, Alden's Cave (Flinders Reef), Comboyuro Point. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtin Artificial Reef | Artificial Reef | Boat (day trip) | 12–30 m |
| Alden's Cave (Flinders Reef) Details need confirmation | Cave/Cavern | Boat (day trip) | Depth not recorded |
| Comboyuro Point Details need confirmation | Drift | Boat (day trip) | 15–40 m |
| Bongaree Jetty (Bribie Island) Details need confirmation | Jetty/Pier | Shore | 1–6 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.
Find your little corner of Queensland
A Queensland dive holiday starts with a more useful question than “Which reef?”: where will your actual day begin? Use the local records below to explore the setting, then connect that idea with a departure and the time you have available.
Choose the outing before the room
A mainland departure, an island stay and a multi-day boat trip have different rhythms. Write down the exact activity you want, who is joining and whether everyone plans to dive. Ask about meeting and return times before building accommodation and transfers around a promotional reef name. On a mixed trip, find out what non-divers can actually book on the same departure.
Give each day a job
Keep arrival, equipment fitting and your main diving outing visible as separate parts of the plan. If you hope to complete training during the trip, put the course schedule alongside the travel schedule. A free morning on a holiday calendar does not establish that a course session or reef departure will fit into it. Leave the unanswered details in your notes until the provider confirms them.
Make room for the unexpected
Compare the value of the whole outing, including guiding, equipment, meals and transfers. Ask what happens if the itinerary changes and which alternatives might be offered. That gives you something practical to compare between quotes. Seasonal research helps you choose dates; the actual departure still depends on current arrangements and the people operating the trip.
Three conversations worth having before you book
Mainland boat day
Which meeting point and return time apply?
Match transport to the actual departure.
Island-based stay
Which transfers and diving are separate bookings?
Keep each booking and payee visible.
Multi-day trip
Which sites are possibilities rather than promises?
Read the itinerary-change terms.
From “that looks lovely” to a plan
Make Brisbane & Moreton Bay 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 Brisbane & Moreton Bay
These profiles are based in the region or have a sourced link to one of its sites. Shown alphabetically, not as a quality ranking. Ask about the specific trip or course you want.
Listed in this region
ADRENO Brisbane
Brisbane
A large equipment retailer with a strong spearfishing and freediving emphasis alongside scuba equipment. This is primarily a retail business rather than a training centre.
Meet this operator →Listed in this region
Brisbane Dive Academy
Tingalpa
A Brisbane training operation focused on recreational certification and continuing education.
Meet this operator →Listed in this region
Brisbane Scuba
Manly
A Brisbane training and service business supporting the local resident diving population.
Meet this operator →Listed in this region
Dive Dive Dive
Tingalpa
A long-standing Brisbane business associated with technical training alongside recreational courses, retail and servicing. Technical capability should be audited service by service rather than assumed.
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
Understand the options around Brisbane & Moreton Bay
What this regional directory records Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 34 published site records in Brisbane & Moreton Bay. The recorded categories include wreck (10), reef (6), artificial reef (5), wall (4). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Use the Brisbane & Moreton Bay site cards to compare recorded access and depth, then open the individual pages for the map accuracy and source notes. Sites grouped in a region are not necessarily close enough to combine in one day.
Research operators in Queensland →Ask before booking
- Which port and vessel will run our trip?
- Is the named reef a likely itinerary or a confirmed destination?
- What changes if our island transfer or boat departure moves?
Save the answers with the contact name and date. Separate confirmed arrangements from items still waiting for a reply.
Record your trip questions →Questions, answered
How do I choose a dive in Brisbane & Moreton Bay?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 34 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 Brisbane & Moreton Bay 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: Tourism and Events Queensland — accessing the Great Barrier Reef ↗. Directory counts come from published YouDive records. Individual site claims remain subject to their source and review notes.
Dive sites in this region
Search within Brisbane & Moreton Bay, or narrow the list to a recorded dive type. Open a site for its map, sources and access notes.
34 matching site records. Listings do not confirm current access or availability.
QLD
Artificial Reef
Artificial ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Curtin Artificial Reef
The world's first diver-built artificial reef – 30+ wrecks, a Brisbane tram and resident giant Queensland groupers.
QLDReef
ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Flinders Reef
Highest coral diversity of any subtropical reef on the east coast and Brisbane's best-known dive; the turtle cleaning station in…
QLDWreck
WreckBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Tangalooma Wrecks
Fifteen rusting dredges and barges scuttled 1963-84, many breaking the surface, with 100+ fish species in 1-12 m – Queensland's…
QLDWall
WallBrisbane & Moreton Bay
The Pines
A 500 m coffee-rock wall best dived as a drift on the incoming tide, packed with wobbegongs, turtles and schooling fish.
QLDWreck
WreckBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Aarhus Wreck
Scattered remains of an 1875 Hamburg-built barque that hit Smith Rock three times and sank in 12 minutes, with the bow section…
QLDReef
ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Brennan Shoal
A quieter twin of Roberts Shoal, with pinnacles, big caves and schools of pelagics.
QLDWreck
WreckBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Bulwer Wrecks
Three 1880s-1900-built steamers scuttled in 1933-35 as a breakwater, now an easy shallow snorkel off Bulwer beach.
QLDWreck
WreckBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Cementco Wreck
An inverted ex-Army support ship and coral barge north-east of Flinders Reef, with crayfish-lined interiors and big groupers.
QLDCave/Cavern
Cave/CavernBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Cherubs Cave
A 20 x 15 m cave with six exits, surrounded by gullies where grey nurse sharks gather in winter.
QLDWall
WallBrisbane & Moreton Bay
China Wall
A sheer granite wall topped by kelp and a 2 m swim-through, with crayfish, fans and pelagics on Moreton's ocean side.
QLDArtificial Reef
Artificial ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef
One of Australia's oldest artificial reefs (1975), with the 24 m Tiwi Pearl scuttled in 2010 – but diving is currently prohibited.
QLDPinnacle/Bommie
Pinnacle/BommieBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Hendersons Rock
Granite pinnacle, kelp beds and a long gutter where grey nurse sharks gather in winter – one of Brisbane's best, least visited…
QLDReef
ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Hutchison Shoal
Rarely dived shoal with spectacular drop-offs, caves and ravines and masses of pelagic fish.
QLDWreck
WreckBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Marietta Dal Wreck
Tractors and machinery from a 1950 wreck scattered around a 50 m propeller shaft in only 13 m.
QLDArtificial Reef
Artificial ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
North Moreton Artificial Reef
A purpose-built pelagic fishing and freediving reef of concrete fish boxes at the northern entrance to Moreton Bay.
QLDReef
ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Peel Island – Horseshoe Bay
Shallow fringing reefs and the beached 1883 bucket dredge Platypus at a historic island anchorage.
QLDReef
ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Roberts Shoal
A 'ruined cathedral' of arches, spires and caves just off the Cape Moreton lighthouse.
QLDPinnacle/Bommie
Pinnacle/BommieBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Smiths Rock
Granite pinnacles with swim-throughs and caverns on the rock that sank the Aarhus, St Paul and Marietta Dal.
QLDWreck
WreckBrisbane & Moreton Bay
St Paul Wreck
A 1912 French steamer lost with 18 lives in 1914, with twin boilers, engine and propeller intact at 38-43 m.
QLDArtificial Reef
Artificial ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Turner Artificial Reef
A shallow, permitted-dive artificial reef of engineered concrete modules five minutes from Scarborough boat ramp.
QLDReef
ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Turtle Cleaning Station (Flinders Reef)
Turtles queueing at a coral bommie in about 5 m to be cleaned by surgeonfish and wrasse – close-range turtle behaviour in…
QLDArtificial Reef
Artificial ReefBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Wild Banks Artificial Reef
Eleven-metre-tall steel fish caves in 35 m of blue water that draw pelagic fish – a freediving and fishing reef where scuba is…
QLDCave/Cavern
Cave/CavernBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Alden's Cave (Flinders Reef)
A short, sunlit swim-through cave with an opening in its roof – an easy first cave experience on Brisbane's best coral reef.
Details need confirmationQLDJetty/Pier
Jetty/PierBrisbane & Moreton Bay
Bongaree Jetty (Bribie Island)
A historic 1912 steamer jetty on the Pumicestone Passage for a short slack-water critter dive.
Details need confirmation