Rowley Shoals vs Julian Rocks — Dive Destination Comparison
Rowley Shoals (Australia) scores 69.8/100 vs Julian Rocks's 69.3/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Rowley Shoals for wall diving with 30–50m visibility. Choose Julian Rocks for reef diving at ~$130/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Rowley Shoals | Julian Rocks |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 69.8/100 | 69.3/100 |
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Visibility | 30--50m | 8--25m |
| Water temp | 25--30 C | 19--27 C |
| Max depth | 60m | 22m |
| Current | strong | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $300 | $130 |
| Budget tier | luxury | mid range |
| Best months | September, October, November | January, February, March |
| Dive types | wall, drift, reef, pelagic | reef, pelagic, macro |
| Min certification | Advanced Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | potato cod, manta ray, grey reef shark | grey nurse shark, leopard shark, manta ray |
| Google rating | 4.9 (85 reviews) | 4.7 (320 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Rowley Shoals when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking potato cod encounters
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Dedicated divers willing to commit to a liveaboard trip
Skip if
- - You're uncomfortable in strong currents
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $300/dive
Choose Julian Rocks when...
- + Macro photographers hunting critters
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
- + Groups seeking 12+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 19°C
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Rowley Shoals wins on overall score (69.8 vs 69.3), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Julian Rocks is more affordable ($130 vs $300/dive). Rowley Shoals has better peak visibility (50m vs 25m).