Full Day Scuba Diving at Flinders Reef with Lunch
Flinders Reef, a small, isolated reef and one of Queensland’s most beautiful dive sites, is a protected marine sanctuary part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park – it’s the closest true coral reef to Brisbane and is a 45 minute boat trip from Sunreef Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast.
Dives here are ideal for anyone who loves marine life and beautiful underwater landscapes. Explore some amazing, lively underwater landscapes ranging from walls and gutters, caves and pinnacles – all densely packed with so many coral, sponge and plant species.
Inclusion:
- Return boat trip
- Fun, friendly and professional crew
- Lunch and refreshment
- Marine Park permits
Exclusions:
Gear available for hire at additional cost.
Departure times & locations:
Departure Point: 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557, Australia
Departure Time: Check in at Sunreef starts at the time outlined on your confirmation email or text. We usually meet at 7:00 am and return around 3:30 pm.
Your day at a glance:
When you arrive, we will see you at our check in desk to see your diver certification card and ensure that your gear is organized. If you bring your own gear, our crew can carry it down to the dock and set it up for you, or if you prefer you will be free to do it yourself. If we know you are hiring gear, everything will be organized for you prior to check in.
On departure to Flinders Reef, our trained crew will provide a thorough briefing for all our divers about the sites we may visit during the day and will answer any questions you may have about it. Once the boat exits the calm waters of the Mooloolaba River system, it is around a 45 minute ride to the site.
Each dive is planned to last for either 50 minutes or will end to have you on the surface with 50 bar (whichever one comes first).
Every dive is different depending on the conditions that day and time. Usually though, we visit two sites. Divers will have the opportunity to complete two dives – one at each location. Divers may buddy up on their own or go with one of our guides.
Between dives, we will come up for a surface interval where you are provided lunch and refreshments. Feel free to bring along your own lunch if you have allergies.
The divers then return to the shop, where we will unload the vessel and wash all your gear for you if you so wish.
The Reef:
Flinders Reef is located just north of Moreton Island, and is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park, making it a fully protected marine sanctuary. The reef was aptly named after Matthew Flinders, the explorer who led the first team to circumnavigate Australia, as many divers and snorkelers explore this reef today.
There are plenty of walls, gutters, caves and pinnacles to discover, all covered in dense coral, sponges, and plant life. There are plenty of brain, plate, and staghorn corals, along with many different soft corals, gorgonians, and anemones.
What makes Flinders Reef even more special is that it is a turtle cleaning station, making it very likely that you will see green, hawksbill, and/or loggerhead turtles. There are also many tropical and temperate fish (over 200 species) on this coral reef, with many blue tangs, clown triggerfish, yellow clownfish, and porcupine pufferfish, just to name a few.
In the warmer months, different fish frequent the reef, such as eagle rays and leopard sharks, whereas winter brings in grey nurse sharks and humpback whales!
Things to bring:
Guests should bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothes to change into, sunscreen, hat, camera or GoPro and their dive equipment (if not hiring).
Additional Info:
Trip confirmations:
As with all our dives, your confirmation of the trip will depend on the sea conditions and weather. We will monitor this closely and if the weather or sea conditions are unsuitable, we will let you know as soon as we can. We will send out an email and text message the day before your trip around 3:30 pm to inform you of the status of the trip and its departure time.
If you have not dived in the last 2 years or more:
You will be required to complete either a Scuba Review/Refresher Course or a Reactivate Course before you can participate in any diving activities. We will be able to arrange these courses for you on most days at set times.
Seasickness and equalization:
If you find yourself dealing with seasickness or being unable to equalize, our crew will look after you and ensure you are comfortable and safe. However, as this is not something in our control we will not issue any rebookings or refunds for inability to equalize or being seasick and not completing dives. We suggest you consider seasickness tablets to minimize the risk of seasickness affecting your trip. We will attempt where possible to help you equalize as we descend however we are responsible for the safety of all members of our groups therefore if we cannot in sufficient time and with the safety of the other divers help you descend we will take you back to the surface and you will be unable to complete that dive, we will however where possible take you back in on the second dive and help you try again.
Equipment:
If you have all your own equipment, please remember that to dive Flinders Reef you must have a snorkel, computer, SMB, and a whistle, along with the rest of your scuba equipment (BCD, tanks, weights regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, gloves).
If you don’t have all your equipment, all of the above required items are available for purchase or hire from our shop along with the rest of the necessary scuba equipment (BCD, tanks, weights regulators, mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, gloves).
Diver Statement:
Each diver must complete a Sunreef Diver Statement before diving with us. This will be sent out to you with your booking confirmation. If any of the medical questions on your Diver Statement or at check in are answered ‘YES’, a doctor’s clearance may be required before you can dive with us. If a doctor’s clearance is required and cannot be produced on the day of your dive, the cancellation policies on our Terms and Conditions will apply.
Parking:
The Wharf complex has all day parking available, however please keep in mind especially if you are on an 11:30 am or later trip that parking can sometimes get very busy. Please give yourself at least 15 – 20 minutes for parking. We recommend that you park your vehicle in the Sea Life (Underwater World) car park at The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade.
Instant Booking & Mobile Friendly Tickets
Check availability & book here to secure you spot on Full Day Scuba Diving at Flinders Reef with Lunch. Pre-booking is essential. Please do not turn up on the day without a booking.
About Sunreef:
Sunreef Scuba Diving Services, based in Mooloolaba is the longest established dive centre on the Sunshine Coast (Queensland, Australia) with roots starting back in 1976. Sunreef Mooloolaba offers Australia’s first Swim with Humpback Whales experience, from July to October each year, as well as Whale Watching, Local Reef Dives, Flinders Reef Dives, Snorkeling Trips and Diving on the Ex-HMAS Brisbane. The Sunreef crew is a team of experienced and passionate professionals who love to share aquatic activities and the marine environment with others.
Departure Point: 123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557, Australia
Departure Time: Check in at Sunreef starts at the time outlined on your confirmation email or text.
