Nitrox Fills
Standard mixes, custom blending, and why a simple yes or no is not enough information.
Nitrox contains a higher oxygen fraction than normal air, and a proper fill directory needs more information than a simple yes or no field.
The practical questions are which mixes are available, whether custom blending is offered, what the fill method is, whether oxygen-clean cylinders are required, and whether an analyser is available for divers to use.
A centre that offers EAN32 from a membrane system is providing something different from one that partial-pressure blends custom mixes to order.
Fill method matters
Membrane systems produce a limited range of mixes but do not require oxygen-clean cylinders for standard recreational percentages. Partial-pressure blending allows any mix but involves handling pure oxygen and generally requires oxygen-clean cylinders.
This determines both what you can get and whether your own cylinder is suitable.
Always analyse your own cylinder
Divers should analyse their own cylinder before use and record the result, regardless of what the fill sheet says.
A mix labelled 32 percent that is actually 40 percent changes your maximum operating depth significantly. The analysis is the diver's responsibility, and every properly run facility expects you to do it.
Where Nitrox is worth seeking out
Nitrox delivers most value on repetitive multi-dive days — liveaboards, wreck trips and dive holidays where you are doing three or four dives daily.
It is available on most Great Barrier Reef liveaboards and at the majority of metropolitan Australian dive centres, though regional availability varies.
What to establish before relying on a shop
- standard mixes offered
- custom mixes
- fill method — membrane, partial pressure or premix
- oxygen-clean cylinder requirements
- analyser available for divers
- maximum advertised mix
- pricing
- date last verified
Centres recording this service 34
Queensland 6
Yongala Dive
ProfiledAlva Beach · Townsville & Magnetic Island · QLD
An Ayr-based operation specialising in the SS Yongala, with a shorter boat transit to the wreck than Townsville departures.
yongaladive.com.au · 0407 299 876
Wolf Rock Dive Centre
ProfiledRainbow Beach · Rainbow Beach · QLD
A Rainbow Beach operation specialising in Wolf Rock, an advanced offshore pinnacle site known for grey nurse sharks.
wolfrockdive.com.au · (07) 5486 8004
Mike Ball Dive Expeditions
ListedCairns · Cairns · QLD
A long-running expedition liveaboard operation associated with Ribbon Reefs and Coral Sea itineraries, including minke whale season trips.
mikeball.com · (07) 4053 0500
Spirit of Freedom
ListedCairns · Cairns · QLD
An expedition liveaboard associated with Ribbon Reefs, Osprey Reef and Coral Sea itineraries.
spiritoffreedom.com.au · (07) 4047 9150
Sunreef Mooloolaba
ListedMooloolaba · Sunshine Coast · QLD
A Mooloolaba operation closely associated with the ex-HMAS Brisbane wreck alongside local reef diving and training.
sunreef.com.au · (07) 5444 5656
Dive Dive Dive
ListedTingalpa · Brisbane & Moreton Bay · QLD
A long-standing Brisbane business associated with technical training alongside recreational courses, retail and servicing. Technical capability should be audited service by service rather than assumed.
divedivedive.com.au · (07) 3890 4443
New South Wales 15
Abyss Scuba Diving
ProfiledRamsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.
abyss.com.au · +61 2 9583 9662
Frog Dive Sydney
ProfiledGladesville · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Willoughby PADI 5 Star IDC founded in 1985, teaching recreational through Trimix and rebreather courses with PADI, SDI and TDI, and testing cylinders in-store.
frogdive.com.au · (02) 9958 5699
Dive Lord Howe
ProfiledLord Howe Island · Lord Howe Island · NSW
Lord Howe Island's major verified PADI operation, identified as a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and running the island's certified diving, training and charters.
divelordhowe.com · (02) 6563 2253
Dive Centre Manly
ProfiledManly · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.
divesydney.com.au · (02) 9977 4355
Pro Dive Brookvale
ProfiledBrookvale · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's Northern Beaches centre at Brookvale, running the 43-foot dive boat Sea Life V alongside courses, hire, air fills and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9977 5966
Dive Centre Bondi
ProfiledBondi · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
An Eastern Suburbs PADI 5 Star IDC on Bondi Road teaching through Instructor and technical levels, with air, Nitrox and Trimix fills and manufacturer-approved servicing.
divebondi.com.au · +61 2 9369 3855
Jetty Dive Centre
ProfiledCoffs Harbour · Coffs Harbour & Solitary Islands · NSW
Coffs Harbour's PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, running the Solitary Islands dive fleet from the Jetty Strip with training, retail, Nitrox and whale swims.
jettydive.com.au · (02) 6651 1611
Grey Nurse Charters
ProfiledNelson Bay · Port Stephens · NSW
A PADI-registered dive boat running charters around Port Stephens, Newcastle and Swansea, with PADI courses to Divemaster and TecRec.
greynurse.com.au · 0408 633 793
Fish Rock Dive Centre
ProfiledSouth West Rocks · South West Rocks · NSW
A South West Rocks operation running regular Fish Rock and Fish Rock Cave trips from a 12-metre purpose-built vessel, with Nitrox supplied and PADI training.
fishrock.com.au · 0432 050 409
Feet First Dive
ProfiledNelson Bay · Port Stephens · NSW
A Nelson Bay SSI centre running Broughton Island boat dives and Port Stephens shore dives, with rebreather and Extended Range training.
feetfirstdive.com.au · (02) 4984 2092
South West Rocks Dive Centre
ProfiledSouth West Rocks · South West Rocks · NSW
A family-run South West Rocks operation that has run daily charters to Fish Rock since 1980, including the 125-metre cave traverse.
swrdive.com.au · (02) 6566 6474
Scuba Haven Port Macquarie
ProfiledPort Macquarie · Port Macquarie & Camden Haven · NSW
A Port Macquarie SSI centre offering air and Nitrox, equipment servicing, and boat, shore and river dives around Port Macquarie and Laurieton.
scubahaven.com.au · 0407 457 542
Indepth Scuba
ProfiledBelconnen · Jervis Bay · NSW
A Canberra operation that functions as both a training school and a life-support service facility, with cylinder testing and a full range of gas fills.
indepthscuba.com.au · (02) 6251 1070
Lady of the Sea Diving Academy
ProfiledTuggeranong (Canberra, ACT) · Jervis Bay · NSW
A Canberra operation with an unusually complete set of facilities for an inland centre, including an onsite pool, classroom, retail shop and dive boat.
ladyofthesea.com.au · +61 407 487 735
Merimbula Divers Lodge
Reported closedMerimbula · Merimbula · NSW
An SSI dive centre with its own accommodation, classroom, shop, air and Nitrox and a purpose-built boat, running small classes on the far south coast.
Victoria 6
The Scuba Doctor
ProfiledRye · Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay · VIC
A Victorian equipment and service business with an extensive retail presence, located to serve both Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula divers.
scubadoctor.com.au · (03) 5985 3322
Diveline Scuba Centre
ListedFrankston · Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay · VIC
A Victorian business associated with technical training and gas support alongside recreational courses.
diveline.com.au · (03) 9783 7166
Bay City Scuba
ListedEast Geelong · Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay · VIC
A Victorian business associated with recreational and technical training alongside equipment and gas services.
baycityscuba.com · (03) 5248 1488
Ocean Divers
ListedBentleigh East · Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay · VIC
A Victorian operation associated with recreational and technical training and access to Port Phillip diving.
oceandivers.com.au · (03) 9579 2600
Academy of Scuba
ListedRye · Melbourne & Port Phillip Bay · VIC
A Melbourne training business offering recreational courses with technical pathways.
academyofscuba.com.au · (03) 9889 9952
Australian Diving Instruction
ListedNorlane · Geelong & Bellarine · VIC
A Geelong-region operation associated with technical training and access toward Port Phillip Heads.
adigeelong.com · (03) 9016 9003
Tasmania 2
Eaglehawk Dive Centre
ProfiledEaglehawk Neck · Tasman Peninsula · TAS
The principal operation at Eaglehawk Neck, servicing the Tasman Peninsula's sea caves, walls and deeper wrecks.
eaglehawkdive.com.au · 0417 013 518
Tasmania Tech and Dive Centre
ProfiledHobart & Derwent · TAS
The Tasmanian operation most clearly associated with technical diving services, spanning recreational and technical training with technical gas support.
Western Australia 4
Perth Scuba
ProfiledCanning Vale · Perth · WA
One of the most fully documented operations in Western Australia, covering recreational, professional, technical and freediving training alongside substantial equipment facilities.
perthscuba.com · (08) 9455 4448
Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo
ListedExmouth · Ningaloo – Exmouth · WA
An Exmouth operation running certified scuba diving alongside whale shark and other wildlife tours. The scuba and snorkelling products are distinct and should be booked deliberately.
exmouthdiving.com.au · (08) 9949 1201
Dive Ningaloo
ListedExmouth · Ningaloo – Exmouth · WA
An Exmouth operation focused on certified scuba diving, including Navy Pier access.
diveningaloo.com.au · 0456 702 437
Extra Divers Christmas Island
ListedFlying Fish Cove · Christmas Island · WA
The main dive operation on Christmas Island, servicing the island's wall and drop-off diving.
extradivers-worldwide.com/en/extra-divers-christmas-island
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own cylinder oxygen cleaned for Nitrox?
It depends on the fill method. Membrane-blended recreational mixes often do not require it; partial-pressure blending generally does. Ask the facility.
What mixes are usually available?
EAN32 and EAN36 are the common standards. Custom mixes depend on the facility's blending capability.
Is Nitrox more expensive?
Usually somewhat more than air, varying by facility and mix. On a multi-dive day the extended no-decompression time often justifies it.