| Great Barrier Reef
Diving with ''Bargara Beach Dive'' a shore dive.
Comments
The shoreline section of this reef provides for an excellent drift dive entering near the boat ramp on the incoming tide and exiting from the Northern end of Kelly's Beach. The opposite is true for an outgoing tide.
Suitable For ...
Snorkelling, novice or experienced scuba divers.
Depths
0 - 8 metres
Entry and Exit Points
Usually accessed from near the Bargara Boat Ramp (Northern end) or the Northern end of Kelly's Beach (Southern end). Access from the rocky shoreline in between can be difficult for novices or those not used to heavy equipment.
Bottom Topography
This conveniant dive spot features basalt rock, extensive soft corals and some hard corals. The reef extends to about 20 metres from the shore and then approximately 20 metres wide as it curves to seawards. The rocks are surrounded by flat sand making the actual reef a well defined area.
Cautions
Divers should not enter or exit the water from the public boat ramp which is a designated ?No Swimming' area.
Due to frequent boating traffic, an approved and highly visible diver's flag is essential.
The seaward section of the reef extends across the natural tidal current which can become a hazard for divers. Diving close to either the low or high tide make for the most comfortable dives in this area.
Getting There
Shoreline reef extends Northwards from Northern end of Kelly's Beach to near the Bargara Public Boat Ramp and then seawards for approximately one kilometre in a slight arc to the North East.
Marine Park Status
Habitat Zone - Restrictions Apply
( Click here for information on zonings )
Marine Life
Sloping walls of hard corals interspersed with boulder corals give way to extensive gardens of many species of soft corals. With the reef extending out away from shore it is subject to the tidal currents running across it and supports several impressive gorgonia fans.
Many small to medium sized reef fish habitat the area including many varieties of angel and butterfly fish, coral trout, sweetlip, banner fish, perch, hussar and tusk fish.
Palagic species are plentiful with tuna and mackerel being the most common. This area is often visited by dolphins and loggerhead turtles.
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