If you love the idea of diving the Great Barrier Reef, getting up close and personal with many of the species that inhabit it, and enjoying a great time with other divers, consider attending Australia’s annual Heron Island Dive Festival.
When
This international dive event typically lasts five days, and is held toward the end of July each year, when the water is still chilly and when cool breezes wash over the ocean. Thanks to the cooler weather, underwater visibility sometimes reaches 50 meters; and at this time of year, migrating Humpback whales are often sighted.
Where
Located near the Tropic of Capricorn, Heron Island is a coral cay in the southern Great Barrier Reef. It is situated 72 kilometers northeast of Gladstone, and 539 kilometers north of Brisbane. Approximately 900 fish species and 72% of Great Barrier Reef coral species can be found in the vicinity. The dive festival is hosted by Heron Island Resort, which is located on the island’s northwest corner.
Event Highlights
Unlike some dive festivals that primarily take place on land at convention centers, the Heron Island Dive Festival takes place partly at the resort, and partly underwater. Topside, participants are treated to presentations from keynote speakers, including award-winning nature photographers and underwater photographers. Representatives from organizations such as DAN and PADI may also be on hand to speak, and marine biologists and other scientists from the nearby Heron Island Research Station provide informative presentations as well.
If you like, you can spend plenty of time in the water, either snorkeling or diving. There are discover scuba and novice courses held daily for those who are not yet certified to dive, so don’t hesitate to bring a friend or family member who has expressed interest in becoming a diver. For certified divers, there are two dives per day, plus night dives are available each evening. In addition, there are guided snorkeling tours, both close to shore, and further out along the reef – another way non-divers can enjoy this fantastic festival.
Finally, expect to enjoy outstanding cuisine daily, along with wine tastings each evening. At the end of the week, the resort hosts a gala dinner and a fun presentation recapping the week’s events.
Places to Stay and Things to See
All participants stay at the Heron Island Resort. This island is mostly a nature preserve, and the resort is the only place visitors are allowed to spend the night.
While you’re at Heron Island, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your choice of more than 20 different dive sites teeming with fish and exploding with vibrant, living corals. One site you’ve got to see is North Bommie, which was one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite dive sites. Manta rays, White tip reef sharks, and other large animals frequent the bommie, which serves as a cleaning station. At Gorgonia Hole, colorful fish and painted crayfish share spectacular surroundings with green sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, and the occasional hawksbill sea turtle.
If you’d like to enjoy fun and learning, plus some well-deserved rest and relaxation, consider attending the Heron Island Dive Festival. You’ll make new friends and some fantastic memories that will last you a lifetime.