The white sand beaches of Elliott Heads could give Whitehaven beach a run for its money! Paddle board through the river and inlet above sparkling white sands as rays and turtles flap their wings and flippers beneath you. Head over to where the rocks meet the water and don your mask, snorkel and fins for your very own inshore reef experience!

From the shoreline, there is just no way you could imagine what awaits your discovery below the surface. Just as the volcanic rocks are black and monotone, the underwater coral gardens are teeming with colour and life. In contrast to the outer reef, the inshore reefs are mostly composed of soft corals. Step right off the shore and dip your head below the surface to watch their tentacles flow in the current like branches in the wind. Float around fluffy beds of coral polyps scattered with the odd nudibranch (colourful underwater sea slugs!), sea fans, flathead, sweetlips, schools of whiting and fusiliers, moray eels, sea snakes, wobbegong sharks, and everyone’s favourites: hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles. You may even be lucky enough to spot our resident dugong! Discovering the inshore as well as outer offshore reefs is a non-negotiable on your next visit to Bundaberg. 

Your Master Reef Guide Top Tip

If you’re not an experienced snorkeler or diver, you don’t have to miss out! The shoreline is scattered with rock-pools – some perfect for a swim and others filled with critters to keep the kids occupied for hours. Rock pool exploration is best at low tide, while snorkelling is best when conditions are calm and safe. Visit your local dive shop like Turtle Town Scuba, to get some advice on tides and currents, and if you don’t have your own, be sure to hire reef shoes or booties and a wetsuit so you can stay safe and protected to explore all day long.

For the more experienced divers – these sites are not to be missed on your next east coast dive trip – they are some of Australia’s best-kept shore diving secrets!