State top ten
The Top 10 Dive Sites in the Northern Territory
Editorial picks from the the Northern Territory guide first, then the most regularly dived and best-documented sites in the state.
WWII wrecks in Darwin Harbour, dived on neap tides in the dry season.
Our picks come first, in the order we would send a visiting diver to them, followed by the most regularly dived, best-documented sites in the Northern Territory to round out the ten. Every entry links to a full site page with depths, conditions, training required and the operators that run it.
Updated daily from the directory. 10 sites listed.
1. Darwin Harbour · NT
USAT Meigs
A 130 m US Army transport sunk in the 1942 air raid, the largest and most-dived wreck in Darwin Harbour.
2. Darwin Harbour · NT
SS Mauna Loa
An American freighter sunk in the same raid, upright in 20 m with cargo still in the holds.
3. Darwin Harbour · NT
SS Zealandia
The former Huddart Parker liner and troopship, now the most coral-covered of the 1942 raid wrecks.
4. Darwin Harbour · NT
DK 06 Ham Luong
A small, upright refugee boat packed with fish, in reach of two other wrecks on the same dive.
5. Darwin Harbour · NT
John Holland Barge
An upturned construction barge whose cylinders and beams form a maze of overhangs full of fish.
6. Darwin Harbour · NT
Medkhanun 3
A modern confiscated fishing boat lying intact on its side, with holds and wheelhouse visible - the shallowest of the complex.
7. Darwin Harbour · NT
Song Saigon
An upright 40 m steel refugee boat with open holds, good coral and strong fish life, beside two other wrecks.
8. Darwin Harbour · NT
NR Diemen
Upright, intact Cyclone Tracy trawler in 12 m with some of the harbour's best fish life - Darwin's best beginner wreck.
9. Darwin Offshore & Artificial Reefs · NT
Marchart 3
The 32 m ex-research vessel and prawn trawler that founded the Fenton Patches reef field in 1988 – upright, intact and heavily fish-populated around the stern and rudder.
10. Darwin Harbour · NT
USS Peary
The US destroyer sunk with 88 of her crew in the first raid on Darwin; the harbour's deepest and most solemn WWII dive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dive site in the Northern Territory?
Our first pick is at the top of the list, with the reasons. The state guide explains the seasons, water temperatures and training each site needs.
When is the best time to dive the Northern Territory?
May – October: Dry season: flat water, no stingers, cooler (24–26 °C). Dive on neap tides only. November – April: Wet season: stingers, run-off, storms. Few charters operate.
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