Torres Strait Dive Sites

Tube worms have an enormous range of breathing and feeding appendages

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Newcastle Bay Wyborn Reef 143oE 143o30'E 144oE

128 Torres Strait Dive Sites

Torres Strait includes significant parts Butterfly fish with their bright colours distract all divers of the GBR, mainland islands, reefs and cays. The strait connects the Coral and Arafura Seas, which are part of the Pa- cific and Indian Oceans. Anchor Cay, Bramble Cay and Black Rocks make up the northernmost point of the GBR. The Torres Strait has a reasonably high tide range (4m) and receives the massive freshwater outflow of Papua New Guinea’s Fly River. There are strong currents and sediment-rich waters, and the tides are complex and can be hazardous to shipping. Access is via the airport on Horn Island, which is adjacent to Thursday Island, the pri- mary port and administration centre for the area. Leading into the most diverse reef system in the world (the Sunda Sea in Indonesia), Torres Strait is the richest part of the GBR Province and is also the most diverse area in its island and reef lower muddy waters and are unlikely to morphology. To the east are the Ash- ever become popular as dive destina- more and Boot Reef complexes, also tions. The eastern straits provide excel- part of the Coral Sea Reefs. lent and unique diving opportunities, This region features large platform which will probably gain popularity as reefs (up to 28km (17 miles) long) services develop. over mud and sand bases, with is- Rare pulses of deep oceanic water lands of mud, sand and shingle. There slide in under Torres Strait waters de- are mainland islands with fringing creasing visibility and temperature. reefs and many reefs with sand cays. Common features include walls, slopes, Many islands are inhabited by Torres lagoons, caves and channels. Further Strait Islanders, who are of Melanesian west, a scattering of reefs have incred- descent. Rich sea grass communities, ible potential as dive sites. Large sharks, mangroves, soft bottoms and reefs whale sharks, turtles and pelagic fish provide for the varied fish, dugong and are often seen. turtle populations. A long history of pearl, trochus and Torres Strait Dive Sites beche-de-mer industries provide in- sight into the area’s colourful past, as evident in the cemetery on Thursday Island. Recreational diving opportunities are limited and only offered by a SNORKELING GOOD NOVICE INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED few boats due to the general miscon- 48 RMS QUETTA • ception that diving is undesirable in 49 ASHMORE REEF – WESTERN EDGE •• this area. The western straits are in shal- 50 BRAMBLE CAY •• 129