Local Reef Dive

- Mooloolaba, SSI DIVE CENTRE -

Local Reef Dive SSI

Looking for a thrilling dive experience on the beautiful Sunshine Coast? Look no further than this Local Reef Dive through the Mooloolaba SSI Dive Centre. Boasting great facilities, with ease of parking and hot showers, plus access to some of the best local reef diving around, listed below.

All dives are suitable for entry level divers and above, offering something for everyone. And then on the day, your skipper will carefully select from over a dozen dive sites to ensure that you will have the best possible experience. So what are you waiting for? Come explore one of the amazing local reef dives today!

Location

MOOLOOLABA, QLD

Seasonality

YEAR ROUND

Duration

5 HOURS

Minimum Age

10 YEARS +*

Min Certificate

OPEN WATER*

Depth

5-35 METERS*

All Divers/spectators charged the same.

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.

Regular sightings include:
Nudibranchs and other macro species, Bull
Rays, Smooth Rays, White-Eyed Moray Eels, Clownfish, Sweetlip Snapper, Turtles (Green, Hawksbill & Loggerhead), Porcupine fish, Wobbegong Sharks, over 200 smaller species of fish and an excellent variety of soft and hard corals.
Seasonally: Eagle Rays (summer), Leopard Sharks (summer), Grey-Nurse Sharks (winter).
On rare occasions: Humpback Whales (winter).

2 x 45 minutes dives, or return to surface with minimum 50bar (whichever comes first). 

Price includes:
– Two Dives.
– 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). 

* 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

Full use of equipment-wash area, toilets, hot shower and storage at the dive shop.

Exposure Suits: Average Sea Temperatures 19°c – 28°c

QLD regulations: Divers must have a Snorkel, Whistle, Surface Marker Bouy and Computer. 

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.

  • You must be able to speak and understand English to a good standard.
  • You’ll be asked to confirm how many and when your last dive was on the following page.
  • Sliding scale for Refresher/ SSI Scuba Skills. If you have completed the following amount of total dives, you must have dived within the associated time scale, otherwise you will be required to touch up your scuba skills by completing a short course.
    4-5 DIVES – must have dived within 6 months.
    6-14 DIVES – must have dived within 1 year.
    15-100 DIVES – must have dived within 2 years.
    101-250 DIVES – must have dived within 3 years.
    250+ DIVES – must have dived within 4 years.
  • Proof of your dive certification is required.
    If Nitrox is available and you have chosen this option, please bring proof of certification.
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, are taking prescription medication, you have suffered  from any injury or illness, or you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant,  then it is important that the tour provider is made aware. If they deem it too dangerous or unsafe, they reserve the right to prohibit you entering the water or joining the tour and a full refund will be issued.
  • You may be required to also complete a valid 4005.1 AS Dive Medical or doctors clearance prior to your dive if you answer “YES” to any of the following questions:
    – You are taking medication
    – You are suffering from an injury/illness that affects your ability to dive
  • Guides are provided, with a maximum group size of 6.
  • If you are pregnant, unfortunately, you are unable to join this tour.
  • If you are unable to walk on-board or are wheelchair bound, unfortunately, you are unable to join this tour.

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 207 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, (next door to Three Seafood Bar & Grill, before the bridge). Free parking within 100m of their dive shop, and four onsite parking spaces for drop-off/pick-up.

An email and text message confirmation will be sent the day before your trip to confirm.

You will receive a confirmation email upon purchasing this tour which will provide you with all of the relevant information, e.g. CONTACT NUMBERS,  ADDRESS ETC.

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.

The dive vessel is a 11.3 metre Naiad rigid hull inflatable, powered by 2x 250hp Suzuki Four-Stroke Outboards. The stepped hull provides a soft ride, and the front-positioned console and high beam provides ample space for divers, including seating and tank storage. There is storage below the seats for snorkelling equipment and weights are stowed away in front of each diver. Light storage for personal items can be stowed above the diver’s seat under the canopy. 

There is a marine toilet on board, a shower is located at the rear of the vessel, and drop down clear side covers at the front of the vessel for wind protection during the winter months.

Divers have the choice of either a roll back entry off either side of the vessel or a giant stride entry from the rear of the vessel. There are 2x fin-friendly ladders for exiting the water.

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 cancel or move your booking any time prior to your scheduled dive and the trip was fully booked, you will be charged the price of a seat on the boat, unless we can find a replacement diver.

If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled arrive time the following will occur:

  • If the boat was not filled, no refund will be provided, however we will provide you with a standby voucher (50% off your next trip) valid for 3 years.
  • If the boat was filled, you will receive a full refund for your dive charter less a $40 administration fee.

The individual dive site (listed below) is not chosen until on the day.

Depth: 13 – 19 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
Hanging Rock was given its name due to an enormous rocky outcrop which overhangs a sandy trench below. The underside of the overhang is a photographers delight! Grey Nurse Shark (AUG – SEP).

Depth: 10 – 16 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
Lost Canyons is a shallow site providing a long bottom time with beautiful hard and soft corals and great macro, including Nudibranchs.

Depth: 12 – 18 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
Clown Reef is aptly named for the many clown fish found here.

Depth: 10 – 17 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
MKVI has a large ledge that runs East – West direction. Lots of Anemones, Clown Fish, and Christmas Tree Worms. There’s a small cave that usually has large pelagics, wobbegongs, slipper lobsters, and painted crayfish.

Depth: 5 – 15 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Average Visibility: 7m (summer), 12m (winter)
Old Woman Island provides shelter from incoming swell/wind. Famed for its population of sea Turtles. 

Depth: 14 – 24 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water/ Advanced
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
The pinnacles is one of the most popular dive sites. This site is very easy to navigate with beautiful corals and tropical fish. The highlight of this dive site is a large blue anemone on the side of one of the pinnacles. 

Depth: 15 – 21 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
The Hole offers a safe swim through 3 metres in diameter and drops down to an even larger bowl that resident Wobbegongs and Groupers are often found. After you have swum through the hole it’s off to check out the ledge that runs in a North – South direction, with heaps of macro marine life.

Depth: 14- 18 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
Triple D boasts a beautiful display of healthy, hard and soft corals. The anchor sits in approx 15m of water. There is a small swim through (maximum one diver at a time), a small cavern and lots of ledges running through the dive site. There are lots of Nudibranchs, lion fish, and a treasure chest.

Depth: 12 – 19 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
Tunnels is a mini grand canyon, two large rocks rest side by side, with a split between the two. There are lots of bait fish between the two rocks, and at the base, two tight swim throughs (tunnels). There are usually large cod hanging out inside the rocks along side Crayfish, Moray Eels and wobbegongs. 

Depth: 9 – 16 metres
Minimum Certification: Open Water
Location: Outer Gneerings
Average visibility: 10m (summer), 15m (winter)
Wonderland boasts a beautiful display of healthy, hard and soft corals. The anchor sits in approx 10m of water, which makes it a perfect site for new divers. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, as well as a small cave. There are lots of Nudibranchs, Pipe Fish, Clownfish, and Anemones.

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