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    33 Beautiful Underwater Photos That Will Make You Want To Dive In Down Under

    Australia is girt by sea. Pics via Tourism Australia's Instagram.

    1. You may have heard a rumour that Australia's oceans are rather special.

    2. Well, the rumours are true.

    3. Australia has 35,876 km of coastline (22,292 miles) – and is surrounded by oceans teeming with wildlife.

    4. We're not saying you're guaranteed a spectacular marine encounter each time you jump into the ocean.

    5. But you pretty much are.

    6. So what are we waiting for? Let's take a trip down under, Down Under.

    7. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's turtle breeding hotspots.

    8. From a turtle's point of view, there are definitely worse places to hang out.

    9. And turtles have been hanging out here for some 150 million years!

    10. With the GBR covering 344,400 square kilometers, you're pretty much guaranteed to see a turtle if you spend even a little bit of time underwater (or looking underwater from the surface).

    11. They're pretty chilled!

    12. Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world, six occur in Australian waters, including this lovely loggerhead.

    13. Hey, if you spent 200 years in the East Australian Current, you'd have barnacles on YOUR head too!

    14. Of course turtles don't just stick to the 2,300km of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. You can see them in all Australia's oceans – like here at Byron Bay off New South Wales.

    15. On Ningaloo Reef in north-west Western Australia.

    16. And here off Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

    17. Do yourself a favour and come for a swim with one of these fabulous fellas.

    18. Swimming with a turtle is an experience you will NEVER FORGET!

    19. What about Australia's fantastic fur seals?

    20. Seals and sea lions are incredibly curious.

    21. And happy to pose for pictures.

    22. Swimming with sea lions is another must do to add to your bucket list.

    23. Down under Down Under! Yolo!

    24. Australia's waters are full of dolphins too. And they're a pretty photogenic bunch!

    25. Like here in the crystal clear waters of Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

    26. Or here off Stradbroke Island, Queensland.

    27. Australian waters are home to a large number of magnificent marine mammals, including 45 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

    28. We hadn't even got started on the whales!!!!

    29. Or the wonderful whale sharks, the biggest, friendliest fish in the sea.

    30. So what have we learned? Dip your head down under Down Under and you're in for a good time.

    31. See!? So what you waiting for?

    32. Dive in!!!

    33. And if for some bizarre reason the ocean frightens you, Australia offers plenty of exciting underwater encounters on Terra Firma ;-)