Diving

Gold Coast

Cook Island

A popular diving location.

North Stradbroke Island

Flat Rock – Shark Alley

Shark Alley - Famous for grey nurse sharks in season; dramatic gutters and bommies. Cherubs Cave - Swim‑through and cave features; advanced conditions and surge possible. Gotham City - Steep walls with large schools and visiting. The Nursery - Sheltered side with schooling fish and soft corals; suitable for intermediate divers.

Moreton Island

Flinders Reef

Diving spots: Coral Gradens, Turtle Cleaning Station, and the Aarhus Wreck (near Flinders Reef).

Hayman Island

Sculpture - Anthozoa (Whitsundays)

Anthozoa is a reimagining of the tiny coral polyp - life source of the reef. The sculpture is a symbol of resilience, regeneration and hope at a time when the future of the reef is greatly threatened by climate change. Ngaro artist Nicky Bidju Pryor's artwork is featured in the mouth, where the ripples tell a story of change ahead and cultures working together to save the reef. The name Anthozoa comes from the Greek words ánthos 'flower' and zóa 'animals' or 'Flower Animals' as corals were earliest known. By Jessa LLOYD in collaboration with Nicky Bidju Pryor. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Bowen

Sculpture - Bywa (Whitsundays)

Bywa is a traditional language word from the dialect of Kala Lagaw Ya from the Western Islands in Torres Strait. When translated in English it means 'waterspout'. According to mythology waterspouts are the vessels that carry marine animals up into the heavens for the spirits and ancestors to feed on. Waterspouts are a rare natural phenomenon Brian's Bwya is rich with marine animals common to Bowen waters - Turtle, Coral trout, Mangrove jack, Trevally, Parrotfish, Surgeonfish, Butterflyfish, Sergeant major, Tropical rock lobster, Stingray, Epaulette shark and Wobbegong shark. By Brian Robinson in collaboration with Nicky. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Hook Island

Sculpture - Manta Ray (Whitsundays)

The indigenous name for Manta Ray is Manguna. Common name "Manta" is Portuguese and Spanish for mantle (cloak or blanket). Adriaan collaborated with traditional owner Arthur Gabey to fashion a surface design with a traditional Ngaro theme of a dreamtime story. The design includes 74 different sized circles which represent the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. There is a serpent on the Manta Ray's wings and its "U" shapes are the Aboriginal symbol for people. Mantas are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Areas where Mantas congregate are popular with SCUBA diving and snorkelling tourists. By Adriaan Vanderlugt in collaboration with Arthur Gabey. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Hayman Island

Sculpture - Maori Wrasse (Whitsundays)

Maori Wrasse or Humphead Maori Wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus is the largest member of the family Labridae, reaching up to 2 metres (six feet long) in the male species, and up to three feet in females. Although widespread on coral reefs in the Indo-west-central Pacific, Humphead Maori Wrasse are uncommon throughout their range. The species is very susceptible to fishing pressure, and as a result is considered Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This species is fully protected in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is very friendly to snorkellors and SCUBA divers at popular tourism sites and fish feeding locations in the Whitsundays. By Adriaan Vanderlugt. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Hook Island

Sculpture - Migration of the Mantas (Whitsundays)

Mantas are found in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters. They are pelagic (surface dwelling) species. Mantas have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and a large, forward-facing mouth. Mantas may visit cleaning stations for the removal of parasites. Like whales, they breach for unknown reasons. Brian collaborated with traditional owner Nicky Bidu Prior to emboss a traditional pattern. If you're lucky enough to spot a Manta on the Reef and snap a photo of its underbelly, email your picture to Eye on the Reef and \or Project Manta to contribute to their ongoing research and monitoring program. By Brian Robinson in collaboration with Nicky Bidju Pryor. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

Hook Island

Sculpture - Turtle Dream (Whitsundays)

Turtle Dream is a Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, a critically endangered species. Hawksbill turtles are easily distinguished from other sea turtles by their sharp curving beak, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins. The Ngaro indigenous name for Hawksbill turtle is Maeyila. The sculpture is created from 800 individual pieces that were hand shaped, welded and polished by the artist and his son Colin. The Artist feels this work is a pinnacle of his long public art career, symbolising the passion that many people have for the reef, marine species, oceans and planet. By Col Henry. More information [Whitsunday Reef Recovery Project](/map_data/artefacts/diving-whitsunday-reef-recovery-art-project.pdf).

North Stradbroke Island

Shag Rock – East and West

Sheltered reefs with turtles and wobbegongs; good for newer divers. Fringing reef and bommies; easy navigation and plentiful life.

Moreton Island

Tangalooma Wrecks

Iconic line of scuttled wrecks with abundant fish life; great for snorkelling on a calm westerly.