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If you’re planning a trip to Byron Bay, don’t miss the chance to go scuba diving. Just 2.5 km offshore, Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is ranked among the top five dive sites in Australia. It’s one of the most exciting things to do in this famously laid-back town – where you can spot grey nurse sharks, manta rays, turtles, and thousands of fish in one place.
I’ve dived Julian Rocks many times, and each dive feels completely different depending on the season. Here’s why I think scuba diving in Byron Bay is so special, and what you can expect if you go.
Can you scuba dive in Byron Bay if you’re not certified?
Yes – even if you’ve never dived before, you can try an introductory dive. You’ll start with a short training session in the pool before heading out to the ocean with an instructor. It’s a safe and fun way to experience the underwater world for the first time.
And if you’re not ready to dive, you can still snorkel with turtles.
Five reasons I love scuba diving in Byron Bay
- Easy access to dive sites – It only takes 10 minutes by boat to reach Julian Rocks from Byron Bay. From Brisbane, it’s just a two-hour drive, so you can do it as a day trip (though I recommend staying for the weekend).
- Comfortable logistics – After each dive, you return to shore instead of waiting on the boat. It’s more comfortable if you’re doing a double dive and cheaper if you only want a single dive.
- Seasonal variety – The marine life changes with the seasons. In winter, grey nurse sharks gather here. In summer, leopard sharks and manta rays cruise through.
- Big and small encounters – From huge rays and sharks to colourful schools of reef fish, there’s always plenty to see.
- Bonus dolphin sightings – We almost always spot dolphins on the boat ride out, which makes the trip even more memorable.
What it’s like scuba diving Julian Rocks
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve dived Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, but every time has been memorable. Here are a couple of standout dives:
The Needles
The Needles is a canyon-like site where we swam through clouds of fish. I remember schools of stripeys, porcupinefish, pomfrets, and bright-eye filefish, as well as lionfish and wobbegongs resting on the bottom. My highlight was a group of porcupinefish – two of them were unusually curious and came right up to us with their big bulging eyes. They’re so cute!
Cod Hole and the grey nurse sharks
On another dive, we entered through the Nursery and headed to Cod Hole, a beautiful arch with an incredible number of small fish. Visibility was less than 10m, so every shark encounter felt sudden and intense.
Grey nurse sharks may look scary with their size (up to 3.5m) and exposed teeth, but they’re calm and harmless. The first time one swam just centimetres above my head, I couldn’t help but shiver. During that dive we saw several sharks, along with turtles, lionfish, wobbegongs, morwongs, and even the famous big Cod.
Where is Julian Rocks Marine Reserve?
Julian Rocks is only 10 minutes by boat from Byron Bay in New South Wales. From Brisbane, the drive takes about two hours, which makes it possible as a day trip – but honestly, it’s the perfect excuse for a scuba diving weekend in Byron Bay.
