New South Wales · 6 sites
Ballina & Evans Head dive sites
Ballina's reefs sit off the Richmond River mouth, with Black Head and the Riordan Shoals in 15–28 m and the wreck of the Wollongbar nearby. Evans Head has the Goanna Headland reefs. Visibility depends on the river, so locals dive after a run of southerlies.
- Sites
- 6
- Wrecks
- 0
- Shore
- 1
- Boat
- 3
- Beginner
- 1
- Deepest
- 28 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The offshore reefs off Ballina and Evans Head clear best in winter after southerlies; spring is mixed, 19–20 °C, and the local charters run on the calm days. Grey nurse sharks are still on the northern gutters until about November.
Getting there
Two hours south of Brisbane. Boat dives with a local operator; shore snorkelling at Shelly Beach.
When to go
Winter after southerly weather has cleared the water.
Water & suit
Summer 22-26 °C · winter 19-21 °C. 3-5 mm full suit
Nearest chamber: Gold Coast University Hospital (Southport) hyperbaric unit; Wesley Hospital (Brisbane) for complex cases
Most recorded marine life in Ballina & Evans Head
- Grey nurse sharks (seasonal) 3
- Kingfish 3
- Mulloway 3
- Rays 3
- Wobbegongs 3
- Bream 2
- Nudibranchs 2
- Reef fish 2
- Snapper 2
- Turtles 2
- Flathead 1
- General reef fish 1
- Hard and soft corals 1
- Juvenile tropical fish 1
Plan a dive trip to Ballina & Evans Head →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Ballina & Evans Head
Suggested trip
A 2-day dive trip to Ballina & Evans Head
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Ballina & Evans Head plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Ballina & Evans Head's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Ballina Breakwall / Shaws BayShore/Rock Platform · Max 8 m · Open Water
- Ballina North WallShore/Rock Platform · Max 14 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Ballina & Evans Head for.
- Ballina – Black Head / Lennox reef systemReef · Max 22 m · Advanced Open Water
- Ballina – Lennox ReefReef · Max 20 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Ballina & Evans Head
All New South Wales operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Ballina & Evans Head dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 3 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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3 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 6 Ballina & Evans Head dive sites
All Ballina & Evans Head sites at a glance
6 sites in Ballina & Evans Head · click a column to sort
| Ballina – Black Head / Lennox reef system | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Ballina – Lennox Reef | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Ballina – Riordan's Shoal | Reef | Max 28 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Ballina Breakwall / Shaws Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Ballina North Wall | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 14 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Evans Head reefs | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
Ballina & Evans Head diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Ballina & Evans Head?
Two hours south of Brisbane. Boat dives with a local operator; shore snorkelling at Shelly Beach.
When is the best time to dive Ballina & Evans Head?
Winter after southerly weather has cleared the water.
How many dive sites are there in Ballina & Evans Head?
6 documented sites and 1 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 28 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Ballina & Evans Head?
Yes, 1 site is rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Ballina & Evans Head?
Typically 22-26 °C in summer and 19-21 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3-5 mm full suit.
Which dive centres operate in Ballina & Evans Head?
Sundive Byron Bay are recorded as running sites in Ballina & Evans Head. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Ballina & Evans Head?
Gold Coast University Hospital (Southport) hyperbaric unit; Wesley Hospital (Brisbane) for complex cases. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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