Dive Locations Around The Keppels
Outer Rock
Located eight
miles north east of Great Keppel Island, Outer Rock
is a large isolated rock rising up to 20 metres. There are four
main area's that we dive. On the northern side is a well
sheltered bay which gives protection and excellent diving. To the
east, a large rock runs northwards starting at 5m (17ft) of water
and decends to 18m (60ft). By following this rock around it makes
for easy navigation.
In the shallow water, there is an abundant supply of small coral
fish. Whilst in the deeper waters, larger pelagic fish are found
roaming. With lots of gutters in this area, it makes for graet
exploring and you may be lucky to stumble across a large Maori
Wrasse that inhabits this area. Outer Rock has some of the
prettiest coral of any of our dive sites. Looking under the
ledges we can sometimes find large Painted Crayfish.
Man & Wife Rocks
Man & Wife located between Outer Rock and Great
Keppel Island, features a plateau near the island that is around
6 - 8m (20 - 27ft) in depth. This than drops off to a depth of
18m (60ft) around most of the island. 25m (80ft) is the maximum
depth in this area.
With good coral in and around 10m (30ft), it makes for nice easy
diving. Along the rock face of the islands, you will find lots of
different types of soft corals which make for great macro
photography. Up in the gutters we find Wobbegong sharks just
waiting for their chance to make the front cover of Scuba
Diver magazine, by that ever keen photography.
Barren & Child Islands
Seven miles east of Great Keppel Island are Barren
& Child Islands. Diving these islands allows us to visit
numerous sites ranging from 30m (100ft) off Child, to a very easy
but extremely pretty area with depths of 6 - 9m (20 - 30ft) known
as "One Bum Beach".
A drift dive in the passage between and along the top of the
islands is an experience where we find large schools of Spanish
Mackerel, Tuna, Trevally, Black Kingfish and occasionally, the
odd Manta Ray may be spotted. The fringing reefs of these two
islands ensure an endless display of tropical fish life and
spectacular colors of coral.
Egg Rock
Australia's Best Kept
Secret!! - Egg Rock a site of world class diving. It is a Marine
National Park "B" Zone which means that these islands
are totally protected. This location is look and photograph only,
and of undisturbed beauty, with wall dives to 30m (100ft) on the
seaward side. Words just can't describe the numerous types of
corals and fish life in this area, with some fish up to 60 - 70
kg in weight. Coral Trout in total abundance and as big as medium
size Estuary Cod. Clown Fish (the size of you hand) in their
Anemones in patches up to 10m in diameter.
Sea Snakes as thick as your arm, Cod as big as a diver and
schools of pelagic fish constantly swimming around. Bommie's in
20m (65ft) of water attract other species of fish like Barramundi
Cod, Hussar's, Sweetlip, Hump-Headed Batfish and Red Emperor just
to name a few. All in all, this site is a photographers dream and
for those without a camera, a dream come true location.
Great Keppel Island
A well sheltered bay located on the North East point of
Great Keppel serves as an excellent site accessible in adverse
conditions. Great for such dives as Night Diving and Drift
Diving. Big Peninsula has a horse shoe shape beach with golden
sands and coral gardens, which is a popular location to spend
some S.I.T. and have lunch leading into our second dive.
Out off the peninsula at 12 - 14m (40 - 47ft), large bull rays,
numerous blue-spotted rays, sea whips and sea-cucumbers can be
found, besides a resident moray eel. This makes this site a
pleasant, leisurely dive.