IT SHOULDN'T come as a surprise to local divers that this weekend will almost certainly be cancelled because of the strong winds predicted.

Local charter operators are used to cancelling trips at this time of year.

What dive charter operators will be hoping for is that all this awful weather will clear before the Easter holidays.

After the Christmas holidays, Easter is the next busiest time of the year for holiday divers. When the seas are rough, it is impossible for dive boats to depart the harbour and unfortunately there are no other alternative dive sites close by.

The Sunshine Coast is blessed with some great dive sites but all of them are in the open sea and are completely exposed in rough seas.

The local coral reefs are in pristine condition compared with other reefs around the world. The former Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Brisbane is probably the most dived wreck in Australia.

Divers will be hoping all this recent weather will clear and Easter will bring calm seas and good underwater visibility.