Pro Dive Magnetic Island

Located on Magnetic Island, Pro Dive Magnetic Island is a locally owned and operated centre that serves as a primary gateway to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. They have been established since 2016, providing a professional base for both local divers and those travelling to the region for specific expeditions.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of services, from introductory dives for beginners to advanced training for experienced divers. Whether you are looking to complete an SSI certification or join a guided boat trip to world-renowned wreck sites, the facility is designed to handle the full spectrum of recreational diving.

As an official SSI Instructor Training Centre, the facility is staffed by a small, professional team of qualified instructors. They provide personalised instruction and are capable of taking divers from their first breath underwater through to the Divemaster level.

The team manages a wide variety of programmes, including specialised skills such as navigation, perfect buoyancy, and night diving. All dives are guided, ensuring a structured and safe experience for every diver on board.

The centre is a full-scale SSI Instructor Training Centre, offering a complete syllabus of courses. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver programme, while those looking to progress can undertake the Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster internship.

Specialised training is also available to refine specific skills, including Deep, Wreck, Navigation, and Perfect Buoyancy courses. For those looking to extend their bottom time, the Enriched Air Nitrox course is offered. Additionally, the centre provides essential safety training such as First Aid, CPR, and O2.

The centre operates the Nautiful, a 15m Randell48 vessel that has been recently refurbished. This boat is capable of carrying 18 passengers plus the crew, providing a stable platform for trips across the reef.

Onboard, you will find amenities to make the day comfortable, including snacks, lunch, hot drinks, and soup. The boat is equipped with dry boxes for storage and flotation devices such as noodles. Nitrox is available on board for certified divers, and the vessel is used for day trips as well as night dives.

The shore-based facility in Nelly Bay includes a fully equipped classroom and a 25m training pool for course work. For those needing to rent equipment, the centre provides a full range of kit, including masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits.

A dedicated air and Nitrox filling station is available on-site. The centre also operates a retail shop for divers looking to upgrade their personal equipment.

The marine life around Magnetic Island is diverse, with large pelagic species and reef residents frequently encountered. You can expect to see giant trevally, giant groupers, Maori wrasse, and various species of sharks. Turtles and eagle rays are also common sights throughout the reef systems.

During the winter months, the area offers the opportunity to see humpback whales cruising through the waters. Schools of fish are a constant presence, providing a lively backdrop to the coral walls and reef flats.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants add significant interest to the dives, with eagle rays, marble rays, and various macro species frequently spotted. The reef structure itself is built upon a foundation of colourful hard and soft corals that support this complex ecosystem.

All boat trips are subject to a fuel levy. Marine stingers may be present in the water year-round, with a higher risk during the period from November to April, necessitating the use of full-length wetsuits or stinger suits.

Divers should be aware of the standard safety requirement to avoid flying or ascending more than 300m for 24 hours after their final dive. For those diving the SS Yongala, an instructor must accompany Open Water Certified divers.