Peregian Beach offers a straightforward shore entry for beginner snorkellers looking to explore a coastal reef in calm, shallow water. The reef here hosts various species typical of Queensland's inshore environments, so keep your eyes open and move slowly to spot what's around you. Visibility can vary depending on swell and conditions, so calm days will reward you with much clearer water. Be aware that surf and rip currents are real considerations at this beach, and jellyfish and sharks are occasional visitors. Always check conditions before entering and snorkel with a buddy.

Yaroomba reef offers beginner divers an accessible shore entry into a gentle underwater landscape of reef, wall features and mild drift sections. You'll explore depths from 4 to 10 metres, making this an ideal spot if you're building confidence or trying out new skills without the pressure of deep water. The visibility typically ranges from 5 to 10 metres, giving you a comfortable view of the various reef species that call this area home. The mild current adds a touch of movement without being overwhelming, though you should stay aware as conditions can strengthen. Watch where you place your hands and fins, as lionfish and sea urchins are present on the reef. The wall sections provide some interesting topography to follow, whilst the drift areas let you cover more ground with less effort. You'll find this site works well for practicing buoyancy control along the reef structure. Being a shore entry, you can take your time gearing up and getting comfortable before heading in. Yaroomba reef is best visited between November and April, when conditions are most favourable. Local facilities vary, so check what's available before you arrive. The combination of manageable depth, shore access and varied features makes this a solid choice for newer divers wanting to explore Queensland's underwater environment.

Point Arkwright is a rocky reef shore dive on the Sunshine Coast that rewards patient, observant divers. Visibility ranges from 3 to 15 metres depending on conditions, and a moderate current runs through the site, so timing your entry with the tide makes a real difference. Sea turtles are a regular sighting along the reef, and the rocky substrate shelters a good variety of nudibranchs if you take time to look closely. Reef fish are present throughout, and dolphins occasionally pass through. Be aware of rip currents, surf, surge, and sharp coral when navigating your entry and exit.

This 133-metre guided missile destroyer sits upright in 28 metres off Mooloolaba, her superstructure rising to within 3 metres of the surface. Scuttled in 2005, the Brisbane has transformed into a thriving artificial reef with multiple penetration points for experienced wreck divers. You can explore the bridge, engine rooms, and gun turrets, though moderate currents demand solid buoyancy control and wreck training. Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 14 metres, sufficient for appreciating the ship's impressive scale and the marine life that has colonised her surfaces. Queensland groupers have claimed territories throughout the wreck, while bull rays and eagle rays patrol the sandy bottom. Turtles drift past the superstructure, and leopard sharks rest beneath overhangs. The deck and railings host clownfish darting among anemones, batfish in the water column, and nudibranchs on encrusted metal. Octopus hide in compartments, and the occasional lionfish patrols corridors. The wreck's size means multiple dives to see everything. Sharp edges and entanglement hazards are present throughout, particularly in overhead environments. Strong currents can pick up quickly, making this a serious dive requiring proper planning and experience with wreck penetration.

Mudjimba Island offers a relaxed reef dive with depths ranging from 2 to 16 metres and visibility often stretching to 16 metres, making it a great choice for newer divers. Mild currents keep conditions manageable while you explore the reef, where turtles and rays are regularly spotted cruising the sandy areas. Wobbegong sharks rest on the bottom and are easy to find once you know what to look for. Moray eels, crayfish, and nudibranchs reward anyone who slows down and searches the nooks carefully. Butterflyfish, angelfish, and surgeonfish add colour throughout. Keep a respectful distance from lionfish, which carry venomous spines.

The HMAS Brisbane is a decommissioned Royal Australian Navy destroyer sunk as an artificial reef off Queensland, offering a substantial wreck dive across a wide depth range. The hull sits from 5 to 28 metres, making sections accessible to divers of varying experience while rewarding those comfortable pushing into deeper waters. Visibility swings considerably, from 7 to 30 metres depending on conditions, with the clearer end making the full scale of the structure genuinely impressive. Mild currents are typical. The wreck attracts Queensland groupers, turtles, bull rays, eagle rays, leopard sharks, batfish, yellowtail kingfish, lionfish, octopus, and nudibranchs. Penetration areas carry entanglement and overhead environment risks, so stay within your training limits.

Aussie's Reef is a straightforward boat dive that suits new divers well, sitting at depths of 13 to 18 metres with visibility typically running 10 to 15 metres. The reef supports both hard and soft corals, and you can expect to see reef fish moving through in numbers, along with surgeonfish, parrotfish, and anemonefish tucked into the coral. Current here is mild, so you can take your time and look around without fighting the water. Two things worth knowing before you jump in: the coral is sharp, so watch where you put your hands and fins, and be aware that coral heads can create overhead areas you'll want to navigate carefully.

Underwater World is a boat-accessed reef site off Queensland offering calm, current-free conditions that make it a good choice for newer divers. Visibility ranges from 7 to 16 metres, so you can generally see clearly across the reef structure. The site runs from shallow areas of around 5 metres down to 32 metres, though beginners should stay in the shallower sections where the reef life is just as rewarding. Various reef species are present throughout. Keep your depth in check, as the site drops into deep diving territory and it is easy to drift deeper than planned while exploring.