Boat Dive Sites in Sydney
1. APARTMENTS (ADVANCED)
2. THE WALL (ADVANCED)
3. DEE WHY WIDE (DEEP)
4. BLUEFISH BAY (OPEN WATER)
5. BLUEFISH POINT (OPEN WATER)
6. DOUBT REEF (DEEP)
7. INNER COLOURS (ADVANCED)
8. OUTER COLOURS (ADVANCED)
9. DIAMONDS WALL (OPEN WATER)
10. DIAMOND BAY (OPEN WATER)
11. THE STACK (OPEN WATER)
12. BONDI HEAD (OPEN WATER)
13. WEDDING CAKE ISLAND (OPEN WATER)
14. THE PLATES (ADVANCED)
15. MAGIC POINT (OPEN WATER)
16. FIRST COVE (OPEN WATER)
17. FAIRFAX LOOKOUT (OPEN WATER)
18. RAY ALLEY (OPEN WATER)
19. GORGONIA GROVE (OPEN WATER)
20. WATERFALL (OPEN WATER)
21. SPONGE GARDENS (OPEN WATER)
22. OLD MANS HAT 12-20M O/WATER
23. ADAMSON SPONGE GARDENS (OPEN WATER)
24. RED INDIAN FISH REEF (OPEN WATER)
25. OUTER FLAGSTAFF (OPEN WATER)
26. QUARANTINE STATION (OPEN WATER)
27. CENTURION WRECK (OPEN WATER)
28. ITATA WRECK (OPEN WATER)
29. SOUTH REEF (OPEN WATER)
30. CHAPEL STEPS 12-21M O/WATER
31. GAP BLUFF 16-24M O/WATER
32. ROYAL SHEPPARD WRECK 28M ADVANCED
33. THE GAP (OPEN WATER)
34. THE VALLEY (OPEN WATER)
35. FISH BOWL (OPEN WATER)
36. THE SPLIT (OPEN WATER)
37. DUNBAR WRECK (OPEN WATER)
38. SIGNAL STATION (OPEN WATER)
39. ELEPHANT ROCK (OPEN WATER)
40. BOULDER CITY (OPEN WATER)
41. AMPHITHEATRE (OPEN WATER)
42. THREE CAVES (OPEN WATER)
43. CURRAJONG WRECK (OPEN WATER)
1. APARTMENTS (ADVANCED)
The Apartments is arguably the best dive site Sydney has to offer and is located around 30mins boat travel from Sydney Harbour. Lots of Grey Nurse sharks can be seen here throughout the year. The shear wall, many caves and swim throughs, providing the abundant fish life a sanctuary from predators such as the large pelagic Kingfish.
RANGE: 10-24M
2. THE WALL (ADVANCED)
The Wall is located off Long Reef and is a great dive to explore as it extends from the Apartments North. The top of the reef is around 7m to a max of 24m. This shear wall is covered with colourful soft corals and has many ledges that have many residents.
***Good area for photography, but can have strong currents
RANGE: 10-24M
3A. DEE WHY WIDE (ADVANCED)
Dee Why Wide is another great dive site located offshore. This reef is very large and has many great dive sites, ranging depths of 21m down to 30m.
The reef is made up of large boulders and has beautiful sponge gardens and an array of marine and fish life.
RANGE: 21-30M
3B. DEE WHY WIDE (DEEP)
Dee Why Wide is another great dive site located offshore. This reef is very large and has many great dive sites, ranging depths of 30m down to 36m.
This dive site is located at the reef edge.
RANGE: 30-36M
4. BLUEFISH BAY (OPEN WATER)
More of a sheltered dive site with lots of schooling fish, Fiddler Rays and Weedy Seadragons can be seen. Good area for photography. Depth ranges from 12-22m.
RANGE: 12-22M
5. BLUEFISH POINT (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is usually done as a one way dive using the current. A very good dive along a wall which usually has good schooling fish and lots of Port Jackson and Wobbygong sharks. Depths range from 15-24m.
RANGE: 14-24M
6. DOUBT REEF (DEEP)
This large and long reef has many dive sites which consist of rocky shelves with deep valleys, large schools of Whiting, Catfish and Kingfish are commonly encountered.
***Can have stronger currents with better than average visibility encountered.
RANGE: 36-45M
7. INNER COLOURS (ADVANCED)
This reef is different from the Outer Colour’s as it is shallower and made up of small boulders. Lots of small fish and schooling Kingfish can be seen.
RANGE: 21-24M
8. OUTER COLOURS (ADVANCED)
Very good dive located on an offshore reef which runs North South. The reef has three distinct steps in height. Lots of soft corals and fish life.
***Torch recommended
RANGE: 26-33M
9. DIAMONDS WALL (OPEN WATER)
Great dive site, generally done as a drift or one way dive. Lots of structure including caves and large ledges along the wall with abundant marine life. Some large caves and ledges. Depth ranges from 10-25m.
RANGE: 10-24M
10. DIAMOND BAY (OPEN WATER)
This is a great dive site, with the rocky bottom extending down a slope made up of large and small boulders. Divers usually start their dive at around 13m, working down to their maximum depth looking at the abundant marine and fish life.
***Generally better visibility
RANGE: 12-24M
11. THE STACK (OPEN WATER)
Great dive to explore and find some treasure, as in years past a lot of stuff has been thrown off the cliff. Good fish life and rocky structure.
***Strong currents can be encountered
RANGE: 12-20M
12. BONDI HEAD (OPEN WATER)
Nice dive site, best known for the Grey Nurse sharks that can be regularly encountered while diving around the reef edge.
RANGE: 12-21M
13. WEDDING CAKE ISLAND (OPEN WATER)
Many dive sites around this island. Large areas can be explored in one dive, the island can also be used to help shelter the dive from adverse weather conditions. Great for exploring and for photograph
RANGE: 12-24M
14. THE PLATES (ADVANCED)
This dive site is located on an offshore reef. The rocky boulders have some good growth and fish life.
***Better visibility generally encountered
RANGE: 24-36M
15. MAGIC POINT (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is located in the Grey Nurse sanctuary. Up to 30 Gray Nurse sharks can be seen living in and around a large cave located in a wall. Depth ranges from 7-23m.
***This area is a marine sanctuary so some basic guideline are required to be followed which will be outline by the Dive Master on the day.
RANGE: 8-23M
16. FIRST COVE (OPEN WATER)
First Cove has some nice structure and a large wall, which can be followed. Grey Nurse sharks have been seen in this area, some small wrecks can be found which have only recently been lost.
RANGE: 12-26M
17. FAIRFAX LOOKOUT (OPEN WATER)
Great dive site located just on the inside of North Head. Depth can varies greatly depending on the area anchored from 10-30m. Lots of walls, boulders and small swim through’s with lots of fish life.
RANGE: 10-30M
19. GORGONIA GROVE (OPEN WATER)
This dive site has recently changed due to a large sand stone rockslide, which has also brought a lot of trees into the dive site. This additional structure has increased the amount of fish, which now call these trees home.
RANGE: 10-26M
18. RAY ALLEY (OPEN WATER)
This dive site usually has resident large black Bull Rays, which live in around 10m of water or are out traveling around the reef edge.
RANGE: 10-20M
22. OLD MANS HAT (OPEN WATER)
This area is located in the North Head marine sanctuary. Great dive in the boulder field, lots of colourful tulip and vase soft corals, sub tropical fish such as Lionfish, Flying Gurnards and Weedy Seadragons.
RANGE: 12-20M
20. WATERFALL (OPEN WATER)
This site is located under a natural springe that feeds into the ocean. The dive is situated on a 45deg angle boulder field dropping down to the sand line at 22m. Lots to be seen and many nooks and crannies to explore.
RANGE: 14-22M
21. SPONGE GARDENS (OPEN WATER)
Great dive located in groves of colourful soft corals and sponges. Very good for photography. Depth from 16- 24m.
***Torch recommended.
RANGE: 16-24M
23. ADAMSON SPONGE GARDENS (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is the best sponge gardens located on North Head. The rocky shelf starts at 15m has a drop off at its edge down to 24m. Very colourful dive with lots of fish.
***Torch is recommended to bring out the colours.
RANGE: 15-24M
24. RED INDIAN FISH REEF (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is located in a marine sanctuary, the reef flat starts at 15m and then drops off to 22m. Marine life thrives is this protected area.
RANGE: 12-22M
25. OUTER FLAGSTAFF (OPEN WATER)
This is the area where the ship the Centurion struck North Head before finally coming to rest off in the sand further offshore. The dive site has a variety of sponges, wreck pieces and fish. It also has many small colourful subtropical species of fish. Depth range 7-20m.
RANGE: 7-20M
26. QUARANTINE STATION (OPEN WATER)
Good dive site for the open water diver. The fringing reef is located in a marine sanctuary with lots of sub tropical fish to be seen such as Firefish, Lionfish, Seahorses and Old Wives. The reef extends around the headland with a maximum depth of 16m.
RANGE: 5-16M
27. CENTURION WRECK (OPEN WATER)
The Centurion was a fully rigged clipper ship, 63metres long, displacing 1004 tons. She sank on 16 January 1887 and finally came to rest in sand off North Head. Great dive for photography. Depth 16-18m.
RANGE: 18M
28. ITATA WRECK (OPEN WATER)
This wreck lies in 10m of water and is great for training dives. It was used for munitions storage. Usually has lots of fish.
***Visibility is limited.
RANGE: 10M
29. SOUTH REEF (OPEN WATER)
Very good dive site with soft corals and sponges and two small wrecks. Weedy Seadragons can often be encountered. Depth range 7-16m.
***Strong tidal current can be encountered.
RANGE: 10-16M
30. CHAPEL STEPS (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is a very nice dive, which is located under the navy chapel. The bottom is small boulders and flat ledges, large Wobbygong sharks and lots of Port Jackson sharks can be seen congregating in and around ledges. Depth range from 12-21m.
RANGE: 12-21M
31. GAP BLUFF (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is located on the edge of a small drop off which starts at 16m and drops down 24m. Good area to see Weedy Seadragons and schools of Kingfish.
RANGE: 10-24M
32. ROYAL SHEPPARD WRECK (ADVANCED)
The Royal Sheppard was a Collier, 331tons, 42m long and 6m wide, she sank in 1890 off South Head. She lies in sand at a depth of 28m. Well worth a dive or two, this wreck has lots of life.
RANGE: 28M
33. THE GAP (OPEN WATER)
This great dive site has a depth range from 7m to 24m. The rock fall from the headland is covered with sponges and soft corals. Regularly encountered is big Black Bull Rays, Weedy Seadragons, schools of Kingfish and Yellowtail.
RANGE: 10-22M
34. THE VALLEY (OPEN WATER)
The Valley is a dive site as the name suggests, its depth range is from 14m -24m. Great dive with a lot of sea life including Seahorses, Balmain Bugs, schools of Kingfish all living amongst gardens of soft corals.
RANGE: 14-24M
35. FISH BOWL (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is located on a rock fall that falls downs on a 45% angle to a depth of 25m. The dive starts at around 12m and is usually loaded with many species of schooling fish.
RANGE: 12-22M
36. THE SPLIT (OPEN WATER)
One of the better dive sites along South Head. Divers usually start their dive at 18m then can go deeper to the sand line at 25m or go up the boulder field into the 10m zone. Lots of marine and pelagic life.
***Generally good visibility.
RANGE: 14-23M
37. DUNBAR WRECK (OPEN WATER)
The Dunbar was a clipper ship, which was wrecked on South Head in 1857 with the loss of 121 people. The dive site spreads over a large area and is broken up a lot. The dive site is great for exploring, a large anchor and chain with a lot of ballast stones can be found.
***This wreck site is protected by the Historic Ship wreck Act.
RANGE: 5-18M
38. SIGNAL STATION (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is located under the signal station for ships passing and entering Sydney Harbour. Great location to dive with large schools of fish, lots of interesting life.
RANGE: 12-24M
39. ELEPHANT ROCK (OPEN WATER)
This dive site is located close to the shear rock wall of South Head. Lots of schooling Kingfish are seen early in the morning in the shallow waters. Depth range 12-24m.
RANGE: 12-24M
40. BOULDER CITY (OPEN WATER)
Boulder City is located at the tip of South Head, right where large boulders have fallen off the headland. Divers can work their way along a wall into a large swim through with schools of fish or travel out to the sand line to try to find the resident Weedy Seadragons.
RANGE: 16-25M
41. AMPHITHEATRE (OPEN WATER)
This rock wall dive site is shaped like an old Roman Amphitheatre, with many ledges giving marine life a place to hide on the wall which extends down to a boulder field at the edge of the sand. Divers can have large schools of Kingfish circle them during the dive.
RANGE: 14-24M
42. THREE CAVES (OPEN WATER)
Quite a good dive which is general done as a drift or one way dive, working with the current. Divers dive along a wall with many ledges, depth ranges from 5-26m.
RANGE: 5-24
43. CURRAJONG WRECK (OPEN WATER)
The Currajong sank in 24m of water in March 1910 in the centre of the shipping lane so it must be dived around 2am after all the shipping has stopped. The wreck is 68m in length and is almost fully intact, good fish life and lots of decorative crabs. Great for photography.
***Night dive.
RANGE: 16-25M
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