Whitsunday Islands Australia

Follow standard dive practices: plan your dive, dive your plan and always dive with a buddy. Many operators require a recent dive (within 12 months) and a medical questionnaire, especially for older divers or those with conditions such as asthma. On guided trips, stay close to your group and follow the brief, including maximum depths, no penetration of overhead environments and minimum pressure limits. Never dive or snorkel alone, avoid alcohol before diving and keep a close eye on cold, tired or anxious buddies.

For any life threatening emergency in Australia, dial 000 to reach ambulance, police or fire services. The nearest hospital with an emergency department for the Whitsunday region is Proserpine Hospital, with more complex cases transferred to centres such as Mackay or Townsville. Townsville hosts the main hyperbaric facility for the central Great Barrier Reef. For diving related problems, Divers Alert Network's Diving Emergency Service hotline provides specialist advice and can coordinate treatment.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Whitsunday Islands National Park are zoned to balance recreation and protection. Many popular dive and snorkel sites fall in no take or reef protection zones where fishing and collecting are prohibited. Always use public moorings where available and avoid anchoring on coral. Keep distance from turtles, rays and other wildlife, and follow whale approach rules that require vessels to stay well away from whales, particularly mothers and calves. Climate related bleaching and storm damage make it important to minimise local stressors like anchor damage, pollution and wildlife harassment.