Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Spots in Byron Bay

From Cod Hole to Cray Cave, here's where to head in Byron Bay.

2 min read•Aug. 09, 2018•By Karen Gardiner

A lighthouse on the coastline of Byron Bay

Hi, I'm Karen!

Karen is a Scottish freelance travel and culture writer based in the US. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, BBC, and Condé Nast Traveler.

The beaches of Byron Bay are divine, and the area’s underwater world is especially rich with life, since it is bathed in the warm currents drifting down from the Great Barrier Reef. When you’re ready to get off the sand and into the water, here’s a rundown of the best scuba diving sites and snorkeling spots.

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Julian Rocks Marine Reserve

Julian Rocks Marine Reserve and its colorful corals. | Photo Credit: Pascal Vosicki / Shutterstock

Just a 5-minute boat ride from Byron Bay, Julian Rocks Marine Reserve is one of the few sites where you can swim with tropical species found on the Great Barrier Reef and mammals from Australia’s Southern Ocean, including three species of sea turtle, wobbegong sharks, and manta rays. Snorkel and scuba dive tours departing from Byron Bay typically include equipment and transportation. Some snorkeling tours are specifically targeted at swimming with sea turtles and include instruction if required.

Cod Hole

One big fish in Cod Hole. | Photo Credit: Pete Niesen / Shutterstock

About 100 feet (30 meters) from the northeastern tip of Julian Rocks, the Cod Hole is one of the most popular dive sites around the rocks. A spacious swim-through that opens up at about 50 feet (15 meters), it is home to big moray eels, blue groupers, wobbegongs, and tropical fish of all sizes.

Cray Cave

Look out for loggerhead turtles in Cray Cave. | Photo Credit: Subphoto.com / Shutterstock

At the southeast end of Julian Rocks, the Cray Cave is a small swim-through where, amongst the black coral, you can spot marine life such as grey nurse sharks, loggerhead turtles, and big bullrays. Divers can reach depths of up to 82 feet (25 meters).

Tassie III Wreck

The Tassie III Wreck sits off Main Beach, Byron Bay. | Photo Credit: Naomi Creek / Shutterstock

Believed to have been sunk at the end of World War II while supplying American forces with ammunition, the wreck of the Tassie III (believed to be the Tassie II until 2008) remains off the shore of Main Beach and is especially shallow, making it ideal for snorkelers to explore. Just remember to do so with caution and while the ocean is calm—and watch out for surfers using the wreck as a break.