Looking for a thrilling scuba dive experience like no other? The HMAS Brisbane Dive is an East Coast must-do! Scuttled in 2005, the 133-meter missile destroyer is a playground for scuba divers and home to a vibrant ecosystem. With a healthy coral reef, abundant marine life, and an interior to explore, this is an immersive scuba experience like no other. Plus, the PADI Dive Centre is located in the bustling Mooloolaba Wharf, so you can enjoy its amazing restaurant culture on your return, while the crew takes care of your gear. So what are you waiting for? Book today!
MOOLOOLABA, QLD
YEAR ROUND
5 HOURS
10 YEARS +*
OPEN WATER*
5-28 METERS*
All Divers/spectators charged the same.
PADI Dive Centre – Departing the Mooloolaba Wharf
Located Close to town, parking for the day can be hard to come by. This tour operator boasts an excellent service with dive guides rinsing/washing your personal gear.Â
SSI Dive Centre – Departing from Brisbane Road –Â CLICK HERE
The dive shop is located on the outskirts of Mooloolaba, this dive shop is much easier to find parking and boasts more spacious facilities including hot showers, the drawback to this is that it’s a longer trip down the river before their 500hp rib can get up to speed. They also have a sliding scale for refresher course requirements which we like, and an attractive cancellation policy.
A Little History
The Ex HMAS Brisbane is one of Australia’s best dive sites, and suitable for all divers. The 133m guided-missile destroyer served in the Australian Navy from 1969-2001, in both the Vietnam and Gulf Wars, as well as assisting in a humanitarian mission following the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy in Darwin. Scuttled in 2005, this historic vessel still serves today, but as an artificial reef to a vibrant ecosystem and as an exciting exploratory dive.
Marine Life
Look out for a resident Hawksbill Turtle and Octopus. Visiting Loggerhead and Green Turtles, Smooth & Marbled Stingrays. Cobia, Jewfish, Snapper and Trevally patrol the perimeter. Inside, Queensland Groupers can often be found lurking in the shadows and Lionfish can be found in the middle of the rooms on the back deck. Wherever there is space, thousands of schooling fish and juveniles seek shelter. On the deck an eclectic array of soft and hard corals and colourful reef fish, including anemones and their Clownfish inhabitants, and Moonfish at the top of the stacks.Â
Eagle Rays are a common sight during the summer months. On occasions, Leopard Sharks (summer) and Grey Nurse Sharks (winter). During the months of July to November Humpback Whale song can often be heard as 30,000+ individuals passby on their annual migration. Bull sharks are more rare and very skittish, but have been seen a handful of times, as well as Bowmouth Guitarfish..
Watch out for Scorpion fish, and the resident Damselfish are the most aggressive of anywhere we’ve dived.
2 x 50 minutes dives, or return to surface with minimum 50bar (whichever comes first).Â
Surface intervals spent in the calmer waters around Mudjimba Island.
NO WRECK CERTIFICATION required for this dive.
Minimum Age* vs. Minimum Certification* vs. Maximum Depth*:
Junior Open Water Divers (10-12 years) limited to 12 meters.
Junior Open Water Divers (12-15 years) limited to 18 meters.
Open Water Divers (15 years+) limited to 18 meters.
Junior Advanced Open Water Dive (12-15 years) limited to 21 meters.
Advanced Open Water Diver (15 years +) limited to 30 meters.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland advise a certified diver should not dive in excess of the depth to which they have been trained or have logged experienced to. We will require a certification card or a dive log signed by a Dive Guide proving that you have had experience to a certain depth.
Price includes:
– Two Dives.
– Snacks, Lunch and Water.
– Guides.
Upgrades (on following page) include:
– Tanks & Weights (EANx available)
– Full set of Hire Equipment (BCD, Regs, Wetsuit, Mask*, Snorkel, Fins and all necessary safety equipment).Â
– Gloves (recommended).
-Torch (required).
* Corrective Lens Masks are available to hire (limited availability). Please let us or the tour operator know in advance of your trip.  Alternatively, we recommend that you wear contact lenses or consider purchasing your own prescription mask. These can be ordered through our affiliated dive store, CLICK HERE
Equipment rinse provided by the crew.
Exposure Suits: Average Sea Temperatures 19°c – 28°c
QLD regulations: Divers must have a Snorkel, Whistle, Surface Marker Bouy, Computer and Torch.
Please ensure that your equipment is operational and serviced as per the manufacturer’s specifications.
Please be aware that the crew reserves the right to prohibit anyone from entering the water if they deem it unsafe. If any of the below is not found out until on the day, you may not be permitted to join the tour and you may not receive a refund.
Please be aware that the crew reserves the right to prohibit anyone from entering the water if they deem it unsafe.
Please be aware that if you do not pass the following requirements and this isn’t found until on the day of your tour, you will not be permitted to join the tour and no refund will be issued.
This tour operates out of Mooloolaba, QLD.
Please check-in with the team promptly, at the time stated on your booking, at their dive shop located at The Mooloolaba Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba. Parking in Mooloolaba can be very congested, especially on weekends and in school holidays, please allow plenty of time to find a space.
An email and text message confirmation will be sent the day before your trip at approximately 3:30 pm to inform you of the status of the trip and your check in time.
You will receive a confirmation email upon purchasing this tour which will provide you with all of the relevant information, e.g. CONTACT NUMBERS, Â ADDRESS ETC.
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Please wear your swimmers ahead of arrival. Certification Card/Proof of Certification, Towel, Water Bottle, Sunscreen (Reef safe, please), warm clothing/ windproof jacket, and polarised sunglasses are recommended for best viewing through the surface of the water.
Seasickness Medication – You may experience seasickness out on the open ocean. We suggest that you should speak with your pharmacist in advance of your trip, to seek their advice on seasickness medication. We will not reschedule bookings or issue refunds for those suffering from seasickness.
Their primary dive vessel “2EZY” is a 37ft cat, with cushioned seating and adjoining tank rack making it easy for kitting up, and water access on both sides with a small drop to the waters edge. The vessel is fitted with a large canopy, and side clears providing protection from the elements, and there is a toilet on board and dry storage. Power by 2x 250hp outboard engines.
Alternatively…
“Tsunami” and “WildOne” are both state of the art dive/snorkel vessels built by Woody Marine, powered by 3x 350hp Yamaha and 4x 350 Yamaha outboards respectively, making for a high powered, adrenaline pumping trip out to Mudjimba Island. Both are fitted with marine toilets and can comfortably seat 30 passengers.
Distance to Dive Site: Approximately 3 miles from shore.
Cancellations/changes to your booking must be made in writing directly to Salty Swims – Please contact Salty Swims via email (info@saltyswims.com.au), or Facebook (via the chat icon linked to this page).
Please be aware that refund policies do not cover travel, accommodation or any other associated costs. We recommend you take out travel insurance to cover unforeseeable cancellations.
What if the tour provider cancels?
In the event of poor sea conditions, minimum numbers not being reached or for any other reason, the tour operator reserves the right to cancel the tour. If your trip cannot be rescheduled to your satisfaction, you will receive a full refund.
What if you cancel?
If you wish to cancel your booking MORE THAN 72 hours from your departure, you’ll receive a full refund.
If you wish to cancel your booking LESS THAN 72 hours from your departure, you will not receive a refund. You are however permitted to transfer your booking to another name.
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