To whet your appetite, here is a taste of what you will find diving Lady Elliot Island, on the Great Barrier Reef:

THE BLOW HOLE - DEPTH 25M 
This popular site is on the eastern side of the island. It has two entrances. One on the top of the reef at 14-16 metres, just a short distance from the mooring. The main entrance however is on the reef wall and is a large opening at 20-25 metres. The main cavern is around 20 metres in length. This is a superb dive site with Lion Fish, Manta Shrimp, Wobbegongs and the unique Gnome Fish seen in the area.

LIGHTHOUSE BOMMIE - DEPTH 14-15M 
Lighthouse Bommie is a set of coral heads approximately 100 metres off shore and is conducted as either a Boat or Shore dive. A rope trail has been laid from an easy shore entry to the bommies. It is a favourite haunt all year round for Manta Rays; some four metres from tip to tip. The site also plays host to a variety of marine life such as Moray Eels, Bull Rays, Schooling Barracuda, Coral Trout, Small White Tip Reef Sharks and others too numerous to mention.

THREE PYRAMIDS - DEPTH 18M 
The Three Pyramids is a short boat ride from the western side of the island. An easy decent can be made down a permanent mooring and puts the diver almost on top of the first of three large coral heads (bommies). At this site you will find schools of Cardinals, Anemone Fish, Turtles and Eagle Rays. The Three Pyramids is a great starting point for a drift dive to the Anchor Bommies or the Outer Scatters depending on the direction of the current.

ANCHOR BOMMIES - DEPTH 21M 
This site is one of Lady Elliot Island's premium dive locations. Two ancient Admiralty anchors lie at the bottom of the site. Marine life that can be seen here include Manta Rays, Purple Leafy Scorpion Fish, Cleaner Shrimp and a large Shoveled Nosed Ray. This bommie is covered with both soft and hard corals.

CORAL GARDENS - DEPTH 12M 
This is an extremely good night dive site. All types of marine life can be observed as they slumber, while night dwellers such as the Painted Cray can be found out of their day time hiding place.

ENCOUNTERS - DEPTH 6-14M 
This is an amazing coral dive with large plate and staghorn sections, and explosive fish action. A fantastic drift dive for late in the afternoon. At times a large number of Manta Rays can be seen in this area. It is also populated with schools of Rabbitfish, Redthroat and Spangled Emperor. It is also not uncommon to be accompanied on this dive by a pair of sizeable Blue Angelfish or Moorish Idols.

The Lady Elliot Island Dive Shop is a PADI Resort Association member and has a comprehensive stock of hire equipment available. Scuba Diving is conducted daily and staff escort all dives. Both shore and boat dives are possible from the island. Please note: all divers must produce a Certification Card to dive (except Discover Scuba Diving Course).

Lady Elliot Island Dive Courses:

DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING A course for the beginner, approximately 4.5 hrs including theory, pool and one dive. Your first underwater experience is under the guidance of a fully qualified instructor. Must complete dive medical questionnaire on island, need full dive medical if asthmatic. Course consists of pool session and one (1) open water dive.

REFRESHER COURSE Pool session designed to familiarize certified divers who have not dived within the last 12 months.

OPEN WATER DIVE COURSE A comprehensive course covering all academic and practical requirements to dive safely and gain certification as an open water diver. Approximately 8 hours of academic training, 9 hours of pool training and 15 hours of open water training. Your training with a qualified instructor is spread over 7 days to allow you to enjoy your holiday and also allowing sufficient time to complete the course if weather conditions change. Must have dive medical - Australian Standard AS4005.1 - and three (3) passport photos. Minimum stay of seven (7) nights at the Resort.

REFERRAL OPEN WATER COURSE Must have signed referral form from current dive instructor, all paperwork (exams, medical etc) and three passport photos. Minimum stay of three (3) nights at the Resort.

ADVANCED COURSE 5 Dives are conducted during this course, designed to increase diver confidence and awaken awareness in the underwater environment. Navigation and deep dive are core dives and must be completed with 3 elective dives chosen by you with your instructor. (Drift, Boat, Underwater Naturalist, Multi-Level or Night Dive) Must have current Open water certificate, current Dive Medical - Aust Standard AS4005.1 and three (3) passport photos. Minimum stay of three (3) nights at the Resort. Cost of dives and equipment is not included in Advanced Course.

RESCUE COURSE Must have current Advanced Open Water Certificate, twenty (20) recorded legged dives, current Dive Medical - Aust Standard AS4005.1 - three (3) passport photos, and First Aid certificate. Minimum stay of four (4) nights at the Resort.

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