Queensland · 2 sites
Atherton Tablelands dive sites
Above Cairns, the volcanic crater lakes of the Atherton Tablelands, Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, are freshwater dives in a rainforest setting with 65 m depths, turtles, eels and the odd sunken canoe. They are training and novelty dives rather than destinations, and freshwater algorithms apply.
- Sites
- 2
- Wrecks
- 0
- Shore
- 2
- Boat
- 0
- Beginner
- 0
- Deepest
- 65 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The crater lakes (Eacham, Barrine) are 22 °C and clearest in the dry season through October; freshwater, no current, and a novelty stop between reef trips. Check current access rules with the local operator.
Getting there
Ninety minutes from Cairns; shore entries from the picnic areas.
When to go
May to October for the clearest water.
Water & suit
Summer 25-27 °C · winter 20-23 °C. 5 mm full wetsuit (water cooler below the thermocline); 7 mm or drysuit for deep dives
Nearest chamber: Townsville University Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Townsville) – Cairns Hospital has no recompression chamber; divers are evacuated by RFDS/air ambulance
Most recorded marine life in Atherton Tablelands
- Eels 2
- Archerfish 1
- Cardinalfish 1
- Freshwater crocodile (one resident 1
- Freshwater turtles 1
- Hardyheads 1
- Redclaw crayfish 1
- Saw-shelled turtles 1
- Shy); submerged trees and timber boats 1
Plan a dive trip to Atherton Tablelands →Find your diveCompare the top 2 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Atherton Tablelands
Dive centres and charters in Atherton Tablelands
All Queensland operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Atherton Tablelands dive sites
Click a pin for the site.
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2 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 2 Atherton Tablelands dive sites
All Atherton Tablelands sites at a glance
2 sites in Atherton Tablelands · click a column to sort
| Lake Barrine | Freshwater Lake/River | Max 65 m | Technical (decompression) | Shore | Rare |
| Lake Eacham | Freshwater Lake/River | Max 65 m | Technical (decompression) | Shore | Occasional |
Atherton Tablelands diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Atherton Tablelands?
Ninety minutes from Cairns; shore entries from the picnic areas.
When is the best time to dive Atherton Tablelands?
May to October for the clearest water.
How many dive sites are there in Atherton Tablelands?
2 documented sites and 2 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 65 m.
How cold is the water in Atherton Tablelands?
Typically 25-27 °C in summer and 20-23 °C in winter. Most divers wear 5 mm full wetsuit (water cooler below the thermocline); 7 mm or drysuit for deep dives.
Which dive centres operate in Atherton Tablelands?
North Queensland Underwater Explorers Club are recorded as running sites in Atherton Tablelands. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Atherton Tablelands?
Townsville University Hospital Hyperbaric Medicine Unit (Townsville) – Cairns Hospital has no recompression chamber; divers are evacuated by RFDS/air ambulance. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.