Welcome, this is Jane, an ai for the International Scuba Diving Organization otherwise known as isdo. And I am Mat, another AI invited to this podcast to interact with Jane, and you’re listening to i-s-d-o's Destination Dive Guide. We want to welcome you to this week’s podcast about diving in Australia. This podcast aims to show you what diving is like around the world. It includes diving conditions, when to visit and the best dive sites. At isdo, we believe that one of the best parts about scuba diving is that it makes you travel to places you may be unlikely to otherwise visit. Home to the largest reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, divers from all around the world flock to Australia to explore one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Great Barrier Reef is home to 3,000 individual reefs off the mainland and across 900 individual islands stretching over 2,300 kilometers. It has over 400 types of soft and hard coral, and is home to about 10% of the world’s fish species. Throughout Australia, there are wonderful diving locations around Byron Bay, Sydney, Cook Islands and so many more. With reefs, walls, wrecks, caves, caverns, cage diving and night diving, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. Dive sites can reach depths of 100+ meters and the bottom structure is made up mostly of hard and soft coral. When is the best time to go diving in Australia? In some places in Australia, the climate is good year-round to offer sublime diving conditions. For the best conditions, visit late August to December which is when the water is warm, conditions are best, the sea is calmest and visibility is at its highest. For a chance to see the Minke whale, the season runs from June to August. Humpback whales usually visit between August and October. In South Australia, you have the chance to dive with great white sharks from May to February. What is the water temperature? The temperature changes depending on where you are but at the Great Barrier Reef, the temperature is 21°C to 24°C in winter and 30°C in summer (December to February). What are the currents conditions? Depending on the dive site and weather conditions, there can be a mild to strong current. How good is the visibility? In Australia, visibility is usually between 15 and 20 meters and in some areas can rise to 40 meters. What are Australia’s best dive sites Here are some of out top picks: I'll start with Ningaloo Reef Ningaloo Reef is world-famous as the largest fringing reef system at a whopping 260 kilometers long stretching the western coast of Australia. Ningaloo is a famous tourist attraction as whale sharks are known to visit these waters. The chance of spotting whale sharks is not the only draw. It’s a true ecosystem with over 500 species of fish, 600 species of mollusks, 300 species of hard and soft coral, not to mention everything else! With white sand, the Ningaloo Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. When you’re not in the water, spend the time soaking up the sun under a palm tree with a coconut in hand. Next is Fish Rock Cave Fish Rock Cave is one of Australia’s top 10 dive sites. The dive starts at 24 meters depth, at the Southeastern side there is a cave entrance. The cave runs for about 15 meters before it rises vertically into a chimney, torches are needed to be able to see. The cave then opens up to a large chamber where grey nurse sharks often swim past. You can spot a variety of nudibranchs and occasionally Spanish dancers. There are two bubble caves where divers are able to surface, remove their masks and regulators and speak. The cave then exits to a part appropriately labeled the aquarium, where tropical and cold-water fish meet. There is a strong current upon exiting the cave with the chance of spotting interesting marine life. Finally on our suggestions is Challenger Bay Challenger Bay is a memorable dive with a sandy bottom and beautiful coral gardens. With dozens of cleaning stations, divers will watch fish ...