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This Is What's Hiding Underneath A U.S. Naval Base In Australia

It's called an 'aquarium without glass'.
A large potato cod lurks below the navy base.
Australia's Coral Coast
A large potato cod lurks below the navy base.

Exmouth's Navy Pier may be a functioning U.S. Naval Base but it's also a UNESCO World Heritage Listed dive site.

While important work goes on above the surface, a select group of divers are able to see what's lurking below -- and it's not spies.

Thanks to the navy restrictions, there's been a ban on fishing for years and you can only dive there with a guide. Then the region's king tides means dives can only take place for 30 minutes at the top and bottom of the tide.

More than 200 fish species are found along the 300m pier.
Australia's Coral Coast
More than 200 fish species are found along the 300m pier.

Dive Ningaloo co-owner Kristen Ross said these restrictions meant it was a largely undisturbed paradise.

"The biodiversity for such a small area is incredible," Ross said.

The pier is covered in soft corals.
Australia's Coral Coast
The pier is covered in soft corals.

"It's often described as being like an oasis in the ocean, and restricted access and a ban on fishing has meant that jetty is teeming with marine life that gravitates to the structure for protection."

The site has been closed for 18 months for maintenance work but will reopen November 15.

You can also do night dives.
Australia's Coral Coast
You can also do night dives.

If you go, you can expect to see wobbegong sharks, large potato cods, lion, angler, stone and scorpion fish, moray eels, octopus, large schools of trevally and huge rays dozing in the sand.

It's a two-day drive from Perth, so while you're in Exmouth, you can also dive with whales and whale sharks.

No spies under this naval base.
Australia's Coral Coast
No spies under this naval base.
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