Autumn
Diving Australia in May
The cuttlefish arrive at Whyalla, and grey nurse season builds on the east coast.
May is the month southern Australia's signature events begin. The giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation starts at Whyalla, and the spider crab aggregation begins in Port Phillip Bay.
On the east coast, cooling water pushes grey nurse shark numbers up at the aggregation sites, and Lady Elliot's manta season begins.
Tropical Queensland enters its dry season, which is the most reliable time of year for reef diving.
WhyallaThe giant cuttlefish aggregation begins — tens of thousands of animals in a few metres of water.
Bundaberg & Southern Great Barrier ReefManta season beginning at Lady Elliot Island.
South West RocksGrey nurse shark numbers building at Fish Rock as water cools.
Mornington PeninsulaGiant spider crab aggregations typically begin at Blairgowrie and Rye.
Giant Australian CuttlefishThe world's largest cuttlefish, gathering in tens of thousands at Whyalla each winter.
Giant Spider CrabTens of thousands of crabs piling into the shallows of Port Phillip Bay to moult, in one of Victoria's strangest dives.
Grey Nurse SharkAustralia's most recognisable dive shark — ragged teeth, entirely harmless, and critically endangered on the east coast.
Manta RayReef mantas at cleaning stations — Lady Elliot and Ningaloo are the most reliable encounters in Australia.Whale SharkThe world's largest fish, and at Ningaloo an encounter you snorkel with rather than dive.Also good in May
Australian & New Zealand Fur SealsFast, acrobatic and endlessly curious — the highlight of Montague Island, Jervis Bay and Port Phillip.Australian Sea LionEndangered, endemic, and among the most genuinely playful animals a diver can meet.Eastern Blue GroperNew South Wales' state fish — large, inquisitive and often the first thing to greet a Sydney shore diver.Giant Kelp ForestTasmania's underwater forests — dramatically diminished, and worth seeing while they remain.Great White SharkEncountered in Australia from a cage at the Neptune Islands — wildlife tourism rather than scuba diving.Green TurtleThe most commonly encountered turtle on Australian reefs, and a reliable sight at Cook Island and the southern Great Barrier Reef.Humpback WhaleHeard far more often than seen — the soundtrack to winter diving on both Australian coasts.Leafy SeadragonSouth Australia's emblem and the most elaborately camouflaged fish in the world.Loggerhead TurtleHeavier-headed and less common than the green turtle, with a nationally significant nesting population near Bundaberg.
Giant Australian Cuttlefish
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
Giant Spider Crab
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
Grey Nurse Shark
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
Manta Ray
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
possible good peak
