Diving with Harry Cottrell: The Rise of Gold Coast Dive Adventures

PT Hirschfield chats with the Queenslander Harry Cottrell who, in his 20s, defied the odds and launched one of Australia’s best dive centres with his best mate in 2020.

Photographs courtesy of Harry Cottrell

Growing up in Queensland, Gold Coast Dive Adventures (GCDA) co-owner Harrison (Harry) Cottrell says, ‘The ocean always felt like the one place where everything made sense. For my 12th birthday, my dad took me to Cairns so we could learn to dive together.’

From Global Travels to Gold Coast Roots

At 17, Harry moved to Byron Bay to complete Divemaster training, and at 18 moved to Costa Rica to complete his Instructor course and work for a year: ‘Costa Rica is one of those rare places, just like home, where you get incredible diving and incredible surfing.’ From there Harry moved to Guatemala, teaching scuba and managing a small dive shop on the high-altitude Lake Atitlán: ‘I loved it, but after a year of only lake diving and four hours from the nearest surf break, I was ready for a change. I spent some time travelling, burned through all my savings, and returned to Australia to rebuild the bank account.’

Harry relocated to Port Douglas for work, where he first met Seb Lovera who is now his business partner: ‘Working side by side really highlighted how similar our approach to diving was. We both cared deeply about offering high-quality, personal experiences. Not mass tourism, not rushing people through the water, but actually giving divers the time, space, and attention to enjoy the experience of diving properly.’

At the time Harry and Seb were working as private dive instructors for small groups: ‘We were contracted out to many boats, from busy day boats to private yachts. This gave us a really broad perspective on what the industry did and didn’t do well. That shared foundation made starting a business together feel like a natural next step.’

Harry accepted a position with a small eco-resort in the Komodo Islands, Indonesia: ‘That was an absolute dream job at the time. I worked there until the beginning of the pandemic, when the resort shut down due to travel restrictions. I spent most of that first year surfing in Sumatra and Sumbawa.’

Building a Dive Community During Lockdown

By November 2020, navigating lockdowns and recreational restrictions, Harry headed home and bought his first boat with Seb: ‘After five years of working purely as a dive instructor, I was craving a new direction, something that would push me to grow.’

Together Harry and Seb (alongside Harry’s mum Nicole and their team) created the GCDA dive centre, consistently exceeding customer expectations. (Think waterfront location; superior facilities; friendly staff; guided dives; three custom boats, snacks, hot soup and sausage sizzles; stunning website and easy bookings …)

So how did a dive centre acquired by two mates during lockdown become one of the most polished operations in the country? ‘For us, it’s simple. We run diving the way we love to dive. Everything we do is built around creating meaningful, high-quality experiences.’

The GCDA Difference

‘We operate small, purpose-built boats with a maximum of 12 people on board, giving every trip a social feel. You actually get to know the people you’re diving with. Our in-water groups are capped at just five divers, which means better safety, more attention from our instructors, and a far more enjoyable experience for everyone.’

Back at the shop, they’ve created a relaxed space where divers can connect: ‘We fire up the barbecue every afternoon so people can hang out, make new friends, and relive the day’s adventures. That sense of belonging is something we value deeply, and something we think the dive industry often overlooks.’

The GCDA Diving Family is an inclusive community club: ‘Many of our members have been diving with us since the very beginning, five years ago now.’ In that time they’ve shared countless dives together on local and overseas trips. Harry’s also passionate about delivering high-quality dive training: ‘We take the time to teach properly, to build confidence, and to make sure people fall in love with diving for all the right reasons.’

Exploring World-Class Sites: Wonder Reef and Nine Mile Reef

Having dived Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Borneo, Fiji, Italy, South Africa, Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica, Harry asserts: ‘On its day, the areas around the Gold Coast could give most dive sites around the world a run for their money.’

Reflecting on why the Gold Coast is yet to make it onto many divers’ radars, Harry says: ‘When the conditions line up, the diving on the Gold Coast is absolutely world-class. Especially with sites like Nine Mile Reef and Manta Bommie within reach.’

He admits: ‘Getting those perfect conditions can be a real challenge. The diving here is incredibly variable, and it takes a lot of local knowledge and experience to know when and where it’s going to be good.’

‘Because of that unpredictability, we do have to cancel trips more often than we’d like, and that makes the Gold Coast a harder destination for divers to plan a holiday around. If someone books a week here, there’s always the chance the weather turns and we can’t get out. For people travelling from interstate or overseas, that uncertainty can be a deal-breaker.’ Yet with risk comes reward: ‘That’s also what makes diving here so special. Those magic days feel extra special precisely because they aren’t guaranteed.’ Being uncrowded at epic dive sites like Wonder Reef and The Scottish Prince is a huge advantage: ‘It means that wherever we dive, we’re almost always the only boat on the site.’

Diving with Purpose

For Harry, ‘Diving with Purpose’ is fundamental: ‘Being immersed in incredible underwater ecosystems, watching everything work together in this delicate, beautiful balance, gives me a deep sense of appreciation and respect for nature. I’m inspired to live life in a way that’s more aligned with it.’

Harry channels that commitment in the direction of shark conservation, as a Sea Shepherd dive partner: ‘Being able to stand alongside them in that mission reinforces what we want GCDA to represent as a business: responsible, ethical diving that puts the ocean and its inhabitants first.’

Partnerships like these allow GCDA to create impact beyond just diving experiences: ‘They give our divers the chance to be involved in conservation efforts they care about, see the work being done, and feel like they’re part of something bigger. For us, it’s about connecting our community to meaningful action, while staying true to the values that first inspired us to start this business.’

‘Our shark diving expeditions give divers the chance to see sharks in a completely natural setting. No feeding, no baiting. Just observing them in their own environment. The aim is to create powerful, first-hand experiences that change people’s perceptions of sharks forever.’ Harry says the ocean has taught him to go with the flow and enjoy life: ‘’You can’t fight the ocean. You have to work with it. Just like on rough days when diving isn’t possible, in life there are times you need to adapt and be patient.’

‘When the conditions are perfect, you learn to fully appreciate and soak in those moments. The ocean has a way of teaching patience, perspective and the importance of being present. It’s a lesson that carries far beyond the water.’ To dive deeper with Harry, visit goldcoastdiveadventures.com.au

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