Diver’s checklist

Manta rays

Eagle rays, bull rays and cownose rays can also all be spotted along Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, but with a wingspan of up to 20ft, manta rays are undoubtedly the most impressive rays to see. Lady Elliot Island is the place to go; it’s a feeding and cleaning ground for mantas.

Humpback whales

Between July and October, mother humpback whales nurse their calves in the warm, calm waters of Hervey Bay before migrating to Antarctica. To encounter these beautiful beasts, check your boating company is responsible and it should have an expert guide on board, too.

Turtles

Six of seven turtle species — all of which are endangered — live along the Great Barrier Reef. From January to May, green turtle and loggerhead turtle hatchlings emerge from many of the islands’ beaches, including Heron Island, and make their way to the water.

Sharks

Of the 440 known species of shark, around 170 of them reside on the Great Barrier Reef. More than 50 species can be found in Queensland. Black tip, white tip and grey reef sharks are all fairly common, but look out for the ornately mottlepatterned and bearded wobbegong.

Giant clams

Hard on the outside, soft and vibrantly coloured on the inside, giant clams flourish in these warm waters. Once they find a spot, they stay there for life, growing up to 5ft in length, weighing up to 250kg and living for over 100 years. No two giant clams have the same colouration.