Dive Attractions

This consultation has concluded. Information about the consultation, forum comments and related documents are retained for your reference.

The Gold Coast boasts all the hallmarks of a coastal playground, including pristine waters and abundant sea life. Gold Coast City Council is investigating whether it can capitalise on these features to become a world-class dive destination.

Although the Gold Coast is home to an established dive industry, it attracts only a small share of the lucrative dive market enjoyed by other Queensland and Australian destinations.

Council has identified potential sites off Main Beach and Kirra as suitable for dive attractions. Council conducted community consultation between 25 February 2013 - 29 March 2013.

The Gold Coast community had their say by reading the information supplied, completing a survey, contributing to the discussion forum or attending an information session.

The Gold Coast boasts all the hallmarks of a coastal playground, including pristine waters and abundant sea life. Gold Coast City Council is investigating whether it can capitalise on these features to become a world-class dive destination.

Although the Gold Coast is home to an established dive industry, it attracts only a small share of the lucrative dive market enjoyed by other Queensland and Australian destinations.

Council has identified potential sites off Main Beach and Kirra as suitable for dive attractions. Council conducted community consultation between 25 February 2013 - 29 March 2013.

The Gold Coast community had their say by reading the information supplied, completing a survey, contributing to the discussion forum or attending an information session.

This consultation has concluded. Information about the consultation, forum comments and related documents are retained for your reference.

  • Fast Facts - Northern Site

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    A 12 month monitoring study of the Main Beach site by International Coastal Management (ICM), in partnership with the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management (GCCM) found it was suitable for a Gold Coast Artificial Dive Attraction for the following reasons:

    • Prime location 2.3 kilometres off Main Beach and 1.8 kilometres east of the existing Scottish Prince wreck
    • The site would be accessible at least 220 days per year via the Seaway
    • 50 per cent of those days would have ‘calm’ conditions (where thresholds for currents, wind and waves are not exceeded)
    • Low environmental impact, with a sandy seabed and small, low lying rock outcrops in the 500 metre exclusion zone
    • The potential to attract diverse marine life
    • Visibility averaging 10.7 metres, with average visibility not falling below 2 metres
    • Average wind speed consistently below the 20 knot threshold 93 per cent of the year, with maximum gusts below this threshold 67 per cent of the time
    • Average currents of 0.5 knots, staying below 1 knot more than 93 per cent of the time
    • Waves averaging 1.9 metres, with site access approximately 215 days per year during monitoring and historically 223 days per year
    • Vessels such as catamarans with good stability will provide significantly higher diveable days per year, with waves the key factor to accessibility
    • Desirable water depth at 30 metres
    • Avoids navigational channels into the Gold Coast Seaway and existing reef structures