The Split
Located just east of the gap on Sydney Harbour’s south head, this wonderful dive is full of surprises.
Quick Facts on diving The Split
-
Location: Three dive sites north of the heads
-
Diver Qualifications: Advanced
-
Depth: 10m to 24m
-
Recommended Gas: 21% or Nitrox
-
Dive time: Generally, 35-70 mins
-
Visibility: 5m to 25m
-
What you’ll see: Slipper crays, yellowtail, kingfish, Port Jackson and crested horn sharks, soft corals and sponges, wobbegong and nudibranch.
-
Best season to dive: All year
Spectacular swim throughs
Divers will travel down the boulder field looking at the extensive soft corals and sponges. They’ll encounter many small caves and swim throughs in this area.
Meet the slipper crays and their friends
Port Jackson and crested horn sharks are found throughout this area in the numerous caves. Soft corals start around 18m to the sand line.
Making our way to the Dunbar shipwreck
Heading south along the reef, divers will head up towards the wreck site of the Dunbar, Sydney’s largest loss of live due to a shipwreck. The Dunbar was a big 3-masted ship much like the Catherine Adamson. As it happened, the Dunbar mistook the north head lighthouse and turned early in a storm coming from the north and crashed on the rocks and broke in two.
There was only one survivor, a young boy who managed to climb about halfway up the cliff face and stayed on a ledge for 3 days until he was rescued. He became the lighthouse keeper at the Hornby lighthouse which was erected after the incident.
Anchors, chains and Port Jackson sharks
We’ve seen thousands of Port Jacksons congregating on the sand line during mating season some years ago. So many in fact, we couldn’t see any sand.
Wobbegong on the sand line
The second dive site is located on the sand line. We anchor right on the reef edge so divers can use the rock line to assist in navigation, going in the direction of the current, general in a southerly direction.
There is a huge boulder located on the sand line and is covered in dense soft corals and sponges, which is a great spot for photography. Wobbegong sharks are seen throughout this area.
Swim throughs and nudibranch
There are many structures in this area if divers like to go into swim throughs and like to wiggle their way through, this is a great spot! There are many nudibranch here, the best are a very long, purple feather types found on the soft corals.
Beautiful shells on display
Turbo – Link to more info
Come dive the Split with us!
Yet another amazing Sydney dive experience with Sydney’s best scuba diving charter team. Join us on tomorrow’s dive!




Everyone was very helpful and friendly, definitely our go to place for Sydney diving now.




The crew’s knowledge of the local dive sites was top-tier. Each location was well-chosen based on conditions and experience levels, and their insights into the marine life and underwater features made the dives even more memorable. You can really tell they’re passionate about what they do and committed to providing an exceptional experience.
If you’re looking for a safe, well-organised diving experience in Sydney, this is the charter to book. Can’t wait to come back for another trip!


The smaller group size meant we were treated to a more personalised experience, catering to all levels of diving experience.


Two excellent dive sites - Apartments was the best. Nurse sharks everywhere







We did one shore dive from Shelly Beach to dust off the cobwebs as we hadn’t dived in a while. Jason was super approachable, clear with his gear instructions and patient.
Jason is clearly very passionate about what he does and has a wealth of knowledge of the local wildlife and dive sites.
We did a second day of diving at The Apartments. Another fab dive and well organised trip.
Loved it and would totally used SDC again.
Thanks!


If you're looking for a place to try diving, I don't know what more you could want! 11/10 would recommend.

I found Sydney dive charters to be personable, professional and above all else SAFE.
Small, well organised groups with well maintained gear and boat.
Choosing a dive charter can be a minefield but these guys made everything easy from start to finish.
A special thanks to Alizee for being my guide for the week.
Hope to see you all again soon!




I am delighted with my dives 🙂










What could be better than exploring the wonderful underwater world with Sydney Dive Charter: small group, friendly atmosphere which gives confidence even to a great novice like me, having not dived for 40
years.
Many thanks to the great diving instructors, Alizée and Jason










We first dived at The Apartments and later on at North Harbour Aquatic Reserve. Despite being not the season, we managed to see 1x grey nurse shark. We also saw plenty of marine life like giant cuttlefish, port Jackson sharks and many more.
Gear and tank hire were all ready on the boat when we were picked up from Rose Bay and the whole process was very smooth and easy. Jason and Alizee were both friendly and knowledgable. They’re patient with pre dive info and any questions we had. Both are experts on diving in Sydney and NSW, with a wealth of knowledge on different fish species in the area.
We unfortunately dropped our camera after the first dive, but Jason has been very helpful with providing an email to confirm the loss of our items so we can claim from our travel insurance after our dives.
We couldn’t have asked for a better crew to take us out - we will definitely be back to dive with Jason and Alizee, and highly recommend everyone else to reach out to them for a dive in Sydney - you will not be disappointed!
Thank you very much Jason and Alizee!




Before booking my dive, I had a call with them to ask for recommendations since I haven’t really tried scuba diving in Sydney yet so I wanted to make sure to choose a package that’s worth it for me! They were very responsive and helpful — answering all my questions and concerns swiftly.
During the dive day, my instructor, Jason, was sooo helpful. He made sure that I am comfortable and having fun the entire time. I’ve never had a very hands-on instructor ever!!! It was a premium experience 😁
Thank you, Sydney Dive Charters!! 10/10 would recommend for sureeee ❤️



Went to Magic Point and enjoyed swimming with the graynurse 🦈.
Thank you for making my day!

2am in winter probably not for everyone, but then difficult to access the wreck given it lies in the Sydney Harbour ferry routes.
Thanks Sydney Dive Charters.













Cuttlefish, nurse sharks, wobbegongs were the highlight with lots of others on display. I've done alot of diving so I know what good (and bad) looks like!
On time boat (tick), good rental gear (tick), short travel to dive site (tick), great dive briefing (tick) friendly but focus boat crew (tick) diving was exactly as described (tick)
Thanks Jason and team. We will be back.




















It depends on person. For me it’s little hard. For sure that day have strong waves. Someone else calm of the waves😂. Anyway i saw sharks and seahorse and bluefishes and giant calamari etc…! It was amazing memory in sydney ocean😇




















Family & Local run operation, service was friendly and more personal than most large dive companies!
Dive boa and rental gear was all in good condition and safety was well briefed & looked after.
The dive sites chosen on the day were great, sharks & seals aplenty!
I will be booking with them again!
Cheers Jason & Team 👍🏼

We would go back with him for other dives around Sydney for sure.
If you are new to diving, get a few shore dives under your belt, as there is no hand-holding, and it is very much Go, Go, Go from the start! BCD, equipment is all assembled and ready on the board, as well as snacks and refreshments are provided.
Overall a very positive no-nonsense experience. Especially recommended if you are an experienced or technical diver.
The dive was beautiful, and we were given a nice cup of hot soup mid dive courtesy from Sydney Dive Charters. Really appreciate the experience.


Tip for new customers - don't forget to take your sea sickness pills!
Thanks Jason and see you aboard for my next course!
Wasn’t even that cold considering it’s the middle of winter.
Kate and Jason were great on board, super helpful with setting up dive gear, particularly with a rookie diver like myself. They clearly know their stuff. Top notch gear too. Can’t fault anything!
The dive boat is set up well and very easy to enter and exit the water.
Jason is a fantastic dive master with a lot of knowledge and is happy to share that knowledge with anyone who wants to get the most from there diving.
Highly recommended.
Got picked up from Rose Bay, all gear was on board already. Ordered full kit and went on a boat dive to the apartments.
The kits is in fantastic order and the latest tech. I got a bit sea sick (don’t forget your travel tablets!) and the crew were wonderful at looking after me. Managed to do my two dives despite that. And saw so much - grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs, cuttlefish, a weedy sea dragon and an incredible jelly fish.
Can’t recommend them enough and will certainly be using them again. Thanks for the great day out team!







Thanks mate .

I look forward to coming back for more dives with this professional, passionate and kind team. Thanks again!

Enthousiast crew and good dive sites and diving.
Mark and Sandra










I was considering going with another company, and was very happy I chose Sydney Dive Charters instead!
New high quality gear, no ripped wetsuits and a good briefing on how to use it all!
Jason was very knowledgeable and set us up in the best conditions as he knows the Sydney coast like no one else.
Our dive guide was great, he also made the trip very memorable.
I will be back again 100%







