Hervey Bay, renowned for its proximity to the Great Sandy Marine Park and K’gari, has long been a hotspot for scuba divers. The clear waters, rich marine life, and vibrant underwater ecosystems make it a diver’s paradise.
But did you know that the region is home to five artificial reefs? The first, the Roy Rufus Reef, was established in 1968 off Big Woody Island. This reef includes the Three Ships, the Otter, Pelican, and Lass O’Gowrie wrecks, which are teeming with marine life. Divers can also explore the concrete pipes, two barges sunken cars and tyres. Sounds like a diver’s dream!
President of the Hervey Bay Scuba Divers Club, Paul Gibbons has dived most of them and says, “Scuba diving is like stepping into another world.
“It’s the most relaxing sport, where you’re fully immersed in water and free from gravity’s pull. The true magic lies in the marine life you encounter, making every dive an unforgettable adventure.
He is also a member of the Maryborough Scuba and Skin Divers Club which started decades ago.
Paul was born on the West Coast of Ireland and spent years diving in cold waters where winter temps drop to 4-6°C and summer maxes out at 14°C. In contrast, diving here is a breeze, with a comfortable 28°C year-round, dropping to a “chilly” 22°C in winter, “Paul jokes!
Taking up scuba diving in 1995 while on holiday in Turkey, he’s been hooked ever since. Recently, Paul dove at the Equator, where he marvelled at the stunning coral. With years of experience diving globally, Paul believes Australia boasts the best dive sites in the world.
Just 40 km off our coast lies Lady Elliot Island, offering world-class diving. Paul also raves about Wolf Rock near Double Island Point, home to grey nurse sharks and giant Queensland gropers, manta rays, leopard sharks and turtles. The four volcanic pinnacles of Wolf Rock are covered with corals, sheltering creatures like octopuses, nudibranchs and wobbegong sharks.
The ex-HMAS Tobruk, a 127-meter former navy ship, was scuttled in 2018 to create an artificial reef in the waters off Hervey Bay. Now a thriving dive site, the wreck is teeming with molluscs, rays, fish, turtles, sharks, and more, offering an exceptional underwater experience.
The club is undergoing an exciting transformation over the next few years and is always welcoming new divers of all ages to join. Members are aiming to secure their own space where they can unwind with a beer, chat about diving, and store gear. The club is also seeking funding to acquire a boat, as they currently use personal ones. With a growing membership of 30-35 members, it’s a great time to get involved!
To dive with the club, you’ll need an open water certification, your own gear, and a club membership. You can get accredited through any commercial dive organisation, like the Hervey Bay Dive Centre.
“New divers are qualifying every week, but many drift away”.
Paul continues, “We can’t stress enough how much better your diving experience will be by diving regularly. Our club offers fun, safe, and affordable dives with experienced divers. All you pay is a yearly membership and a small boat fee.
The club meets regularly at the Hervey Bay Boat Club (2nd Tuesday of the month) and Maryborough (2nd Friday of the month). You do not need a membership to attend the meetings—just come along and have a chat!
For more info, find us on Facebook at Hervey Bay Dive Club or call Nathan on 0404 045 490.
Cover photo: Club President, Paul Gibbons – Photo credit Kim Parnell (other photos provided by club)
