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Scuba diver navigating through vibrant coral formations in deep blue ocean waters.
📷 Ayden Zaki · Pexels

The Canyons

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.3 12 species 30 contributors

The Canyons dive site in Australia's Solitary Islands Marine Park offers year-round diving with excellent coral health and rich marine biodiversity.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Solitary Islands Marine Park updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
MPAYearRoundHealthyReefPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Nudibranch

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
The Canyons location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
5.9 kn
Wave
1.2 m
Water
20.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (19%)
Now: WNW (293°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.42m

Next: High at 01:00 (+0.31m)

+0.9 m0 m-0.5 m
▲ 01:00 · +0.31m ▼ 07:00 · -0.05m ▲ 14:00 · +0.72m ▼ 21:00 · -0.04m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.2 · high Air PM2.510 · good 05:40 17:40
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 10.7 1.28 7 0mm
09-20 19.9 1.12 7 0mm
09-21 28.1 1.16 7 0mm
09-22 27.6 1.8 5 0mm
09-23 15.8 1.62 5 0mm
09-24 12.7 1.4 5 3mm
09-25 14.2 1.44 7 5mm

About this spot

The Canyons sits within the Solitary Islands Marine Park in New South Wales, a protected marine area known for dramatic underwater topography and healthy coral ecosystems. This site delivers consistent diving conditions throughout the year, making it accessible to divers planning trips at any season. The protected status of the marine park ensures strong conservation practices and well-maintained reef systems. Divers report 12 documented species observations at this location, indicating healthy populations and reliable marine life encounters. The site's coral bleaching status shows no stress, confirming robust reef conditions ideal for both leisure and exploratory dives. Community submissions include three videos, providing visual reference for planning dives and understanding site characteristics. The Canyons' position within a marine protected area makes it a responsible diving choice with environmental stewardship built into site management. Year-round accessibility means flexible trip scheduling without seasonal restrictions. The combination of protected waters, documented marine activity, and consistent conditions makes this a solid option for Australian diving.

📖 Guide: Diving in Australia: 61 Sites from Coral Reefs to Cold-Water Wrecks

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Nudibranch

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 16793km · ~3862kg · €70

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 53/100
  • Visa: e-Visa · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive The Canyons?

The Canyons is diveable year-round, so you can plan trips whenever your schedule allows. There are no seasonal closures or weather windows that limit access throughout the year.

What marine life can I expect to see?

The site has 12 recorded species observations. Coral bleaching status shows no stress, indicating healthy reef systems and good conditions for encountering typical Solitary Islands marine life in this protected waters environment.

Is The Canyons in a marine protected area?

Yes. The Canyons lies within the Solitary Islands Marine Park, a designated marine protected area in New South Wales that ensures strong conservation standards and environmental management.

How can I learn more about diving conditions there?

Three community-submitted videos are available showing The Canyons dive site. These videos provide visual reference for understanding topography, conditions, and what to expect before planning your dive.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

54 records · 38 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Jun 2020
×2records
Depth:
32 m

Carcharodon carcharias

White Shark
Elasmobranchii · Lamnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Sept 2017
×2records
Depth:
26–30 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Jun 2016
×2records
Depth:
50–56 m

Maxillopoda

Maxillopoda
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Jun 2015
×2records

Siphonophorae

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Jun 2015
×1records
Depth:
5 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 May 2015
×5records
Depth:
29–36 m

Carcharhinus obscurus

Dusky Whaler
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Jul 2014
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Apr 2014
×1records
Depth:
16 m

Stegostoma tigrinum

Zebra Shark
Elasmobranchii · Stegostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Mar 2014
×1records
Depth:
21 m

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Sandbar Shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
12 Aug 2013
×4records
Depth:
20–25 m

Platorchestia smithi

Malacostraca · Talitridae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Feb 2010
×1records

Amphipoda

Amphipods
Malacostraca
OBIS
Last seen:
7 Jul 2005
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

ROV SuBastian Dive 396 (Pt B) - Rodda Canyon, Australia - FK200930

Schmidt Ocean Institute

ROV SuBastian Dive 349 - Cloates Canyon, Australia - FK200308

Schmidt Ocean Institute
💬 1 top comments
  • It's a nursery, that's why. It explains so much.

    @michaelstmichaels4237 · 👍 0

ROV SuBastian Dive 350 - Cloates Canyon, Australia - FK200308

Schmidt Ocean Institute
💬 2 top comments
  • why did you need to break off and collect the only flower around? 4:12 area of video

    @dacrazymommoments · 👍 1
  • pejxn

    @chenkent00 · 👍 0
wind peaks Oct-Sep-Apr, calmest Mar-Feb-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: May (100/100) Worst: Mar (0/100) Now: Sep (44/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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