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Cataran Bay

Cataran Bay

Queensland, Australia

Depth
Depth Icon

34m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

20m - 60m

Entry
Shore Entry Icon

Shore

Experience Level

Experienced

Cataran Bay

Queensland, Australia

Cataran Bay
Depth
Depth Icon

34m

Visibility
Visibility Icon

20m - 60m

Entry
Shore Entry Icon

Shore

Experience Level

Experienced


About Cataran Bay

This beautiful bay dive is part of the Border Island group and is known to be the very best dive site when it comes to dive training , beginner diving, night diving and snorkelling. Despite the fact that this dive drops to a maximum depth of 35 meters, it is well protected and has some great depth variations. Bottom consists of several coral decorated caves, canyons, overhangs, ledges with a beautiful display of marine life in abundance.

Cataran Bay Dive Info

Terrain & Features

Drift, Reef, Other, Rock, Cave

Entry Type

Shore

Max Depth

34m

Visibility Range

20m 60m

Experience Level

Experienced

Best Gas Mix

21% – 32%

O2

13% at 32m / 33%

O2
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Marine Life

  • Game Fish
  • Groupers
  • Octopus
  • Pelagic Fish
  • Rays
  • Reef Sharks
  • Snappers
  • Turtles
  • Various
Weather Conditions

Water Temperature
Dive Operators near Cataran Bay

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Location

Dive Site Hazards

  • Eddy Pull-Off Zones — Eddies behind structures can pull divers away from the main drift line.

  • Delayed Surface Pickup — Strong current can exceed surface tracking assumptions, delaying boat pickup.

  • Vertical Current Shear — Currents may vary by depth, causing vertical separation even when divers stay together.

  • Hidden Depth Variations — Complex reef topography can conceal depth changes, leading to unintended profile variations.

  • Distraction from Marine Activity — High fish activity can distract divers and delay depth or gas awareness.

  • Rapid Surge Direction Changes — Surge near reef structures can reverse direction quickly, pushing divers sideways into unexpected areas.

  • Bubble Trapping Under Overhangs — Rock overhangs can trap exhaled bubbles, reducing visibility and causing disorientation.

  • Reflected Surge Patterns — Surge reflecting off rock faces can create irregular and unpredictable water movement.

  • Current Funnel Effect — Narrow gaps between rocks can accelerate water flow unexpectedly.

  • Remote Silt Disturbance — Silt can be disturbed metres away from the source.

  • Rapid Stress Escalation — Stress can increase sharply when visibility or navigation degrades.

  • High Cognitive Load Navigation — Complex passages increase mental workload even on a line.

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