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Two scuba divers exploring underwater scenery with marine life and coral.
📷 Debal Das · Pexels

Plate Top

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.2 12 especies 27 colaboradores

Plate Top is a year-round dive site within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, offering access to healthy coral systems and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Great Barrier Reef World Herit… updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Principiante
MPAFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
beginner
Mejores meses
Todo el año

Mapa

Este spot Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de Plate Top © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
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Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
21.3 kn
Olas
1.68 m
Agua
23.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SE (66%)
Now: ESE (119°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 1.95m

Próxima: Alta a las 05:00 (+0.61m)

+1.7 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.61m ▼ 10:00 · +0.24m ▲ 18:00 · +1.39m ▼ 00:00 · +0.26m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV8.4 · very high Aire PM2.517 · moderate 06:08 18:11
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 25 1.76 8 3mm
09-20 20.7 1.46 6 0mm
09-21 16.1 1.02 7 0mm
09-22 18.7 1.04 6 3mm
09-23 17.3 1.12 9 8mm
09-24 21.3 1.2 9 12mm
09-25 21.1 1.18 8 2mm

About this spot

Plate Top sits within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, one of Australia's most protected marine environments. The site benefits from active marine conservation, with current coral health showing no stress conditions. This protection means the reef structure and marine biodiversity remain well-maintained for visiting divers. The site has documented observations of 12 distinct species, giving divers reliable opportunities to encounter the reef's wildlife. Community video content from three separate sources provides real-world reference for what you can expect underwater. These firsthand accounts help divers prepare for conditions and plan their dive profile. Plate Top works as a year-round destination, so trip planning isn't tied to narrow seasonal windows. Access is managed within the World Heritage Area's regulations, which exist to preserve the reef system. Before diving, confirm current entry requirements and any permits needed through local authorities managing the Great Barrier Reef. The site's location near Norman Reef Airport provides logistical advantages for reaching this part of the reef. Divers should verify current conditions, available services, and any necessary certifications or briefings with operators working in the area.

📖 Guía: Buceo en Australia: 61 sitios desde arrecifes de coral hasta pecios en aguas frías

Mejores meses

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

Tipos de buceo

Arrecife

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

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
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 16051km · ~3692kg · €66

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 53/100
  • Visado: e-Visa · 90 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 16h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 9h este · 6 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

Can I dive Plate Top year-round?

Yes, Plate Top is accessible year-round. However, weather and sea conditions vary seasonally across the Great Barrier Reef. Check local forecasts and operator availability before booking your trip.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Plate Top has 12 documented species observations. The exact mix depends on season and conditions. Watch community videos to see recent sightings, and ask local operators what divers have encountered lately.

Is Plate Top inside a protected area?

Yes, Plate Top is within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This means strict regulations protect the reef. You must follow all rules set by reef management authorities and may need permits—confirm requirements locally.

What does the coral health look like?

Current data shows no stress conditions for coral at Plate Top. The World Heritage Area's protection helps maintain reef health. Conditions can change, so ask your operator about the latest status.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

32 registros · 28 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Sousa sahulensis

Mammalia · Delphinidae
GBIF
Última observación:
23 ene 2026
×1registros

Ovula ovum

Gastropoda · Ovulidae
GBIF
Última observación:
18 ene 2026
×1registros

Tridacna gigas

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Última observación:
11 ene 2026
×1registros

Cubaris marmorata

Malacostraca · Armadillidae
GBIF
Última observación:
9 ene 2026
×1registros

Netrostoma nuda

Scyphozoa · Cepheidae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 ene 2026
×1registros

Atagema intecta

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 ene 2026
×1registros

Calcinus pulcher

Malacostraca · Diogenidae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 ene 2026
×1registros

Carpilius convexus

Malacostraca · Carpiliidae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 ene 2026
×1registros

Echinostrephus aciculatus

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 ene 2026
×1registros

Thelenota ananas

Holothuroidea · Stichopodidae
GBIF
Última observación:
3 ene 2026
×2registros

Triaenodon obesus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Última observación:
3 ene 2026
×1registros

Rhincodon typus

Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
GBIF
Última observación:
3 ene 2026
×1registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Our State On A Plate - Diving for the Freshest Abalone - Abalone Skewer, Pancetta recipe

Our State On A Plate

Dusky Flathead Spearfishing and Fish Tacos - Catch and Cook - Shore Diving in NSW Australia

Bugsy Fishing
💬 3 top comments
  • You put so much effort into these delicious fish tacos. Put the tacos in a pan with some light oil for like 30-45 seconds on both sides, throw them on a plate between a tea towel. It just makes the taco bread so much for flavour-some, adds a little texture and keeps everything warm. But I love everything else about this video, Flatties go hard.

    @TheJadedView · 👍 0
  • Loved the video bugsy, underwater looks so peaceful. After seeing that blue groper swimming, I'm glad I released the one I caught. ✌️

    @johnarrones5396 · 👍 4
  • Loved the underwater footage brother and very good information on flathead's behaviour too that we don't normally see! now you make me hungry 😍

    @indosydneyfishing · 👍 0

Diving for Lunch in Palm Beach with Jesse McTavish

Broadsheet
wind peaks May-Apr-Aug, calmest Oct-Dec-Nov, dry Apr-Nov.

Clima mensual de 5 años

60 muestras
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
rango p25–p75 Mediana Viento (nudos) Aire (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Aug (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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