Sydney

The underwater Sydney vibe would be like this: lots of rocky reefs, kelps and strange looking big animals. Below is a blue grouper, the mascot of Sydney underwater. It's a water dog, super friendly—sometimes too friendly—and loves to eat sea urchins.

Overview of Sydney Snorkeling and Diving

Sydney offers a surprisingly diverse and vibrant underwater world right on the doorstep of Australia's largest city. Known for its temperate water diving, the area boasts a unique blend of rocky reefs, kelp forests, and numerous shipwrecks. What truly sets Sydney apart is the chance to encounter rare species like the iconic weedy seadragon, blue groper, giant cuttlefish, woebegone and Port Jackson sharks.

Best Snorkeling & Diving Places in Sydney

If you have one day in Sydney for snorkeling, which place should you choose? The answer will be depending on the wind and swell. Sydney has lots of great places for snorkeling, but do check the wind and swell beforehand to not disappoint yourself. Rule of thumb is: try to find beaches where it's not facing where the wind and swell comes from.

Shelly Beach (Manly): As part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Shelly Beach is an excellent and reliable shore dive. It's the only beach facing west, which means that it's usually protected from a east and south swell, and from easterly winds. If you have one day in Sydney, you'll probably choose this popular beach to go for a dip and watch the sunset afterwards.

Shelly Beach has a shallow, easy entry, making it perfect for beginners and a popular dive training ground. There are some resident cool animals there like turtles (by the time of the writing there are 3 turtles each having a name), wobbegongs and blue gropers . And the cool animals that comes and goes with the season.

  • Giant cuttlefish (June - August peak season)

  • Port Jackson sharks (aka PJ sharks, September - November)

Divers will have some shallow dives here, and one normal tank can sustain for a long time thanks to the shallowness. Usually a way to go is to enter from Shelly Beach, go to explore the deeper right side, then go back, cross the bay to explore the shallow left hand side of the Shelly beach until you are out of air. Then you can swim back to Shelly to end the dive. There is a motorbike in the middle of the bay at about 7m deep, which is pretty cool to see.

Clifton Gardens: This is the place to go when 1. there is a strong north swell 2. when you want to do a night dive 3. when you like macro 4. when you are OK with bad visibility as even in the best times, the viz here is only 5m/15ft.

Clifton Gardens is located in Sydney Harbour, with a jetty where people love to go fishing on top. The soft, silty bottom is home to a fascinating array of small critters like frogfish, octopuses, seahorses, and nudibranchs. The nets around the swimming enclosure are particularly known for housing the endangered White's seahorse.

If you are scuba diving there, be aware that you'll have to carry your equipments and walk for a long way as the parking is very far from the jetty, which is the entrance of the dive. Once in the water, you'll have plenty of time to explore because it's a very shallow (6m/18ft) dive. And the dive site itself is the area around the jetty. You go through the pylons of the jetty and look for the little sea horses and nudi branches on the pylons, and grumpy Sydney octopuses hiding themselves under the tyres.

Bare Island: Located at La Perouse, this is one of Sydney's most famous and frequently visited dive sites. It features two distinct areas: a milder, more beginner-friendly right side, and a more challenging left side with dramatic reefs for experienced divers. Bare Island is known for its vibrant sponge gardens and a wide variety of marine life, including pygmy pipefish, seahorses, and blue groupers. It's also a fantastic spot for night dives.

Kurnell: This site, located south of the city, is a must-visit for anyone hoping to see the elusive weedy seadragon. It has two main sections, The Steps and Monument, both of which are known for their rich biodiversity, including sponge gardens and a variety of fish species.

Best Boat Dives in Sydney

To explore the deeper walls, wrecks, and offshore reefs, a boat dive is essential. These sites often feature more dramatic topography and larger marine animals.

  • Magic Point (Maroubra): This is Sydney's premier shark diving site. Magic Point is a known aggregation site for the docile yet impressive Grey Nurse Shark. Divers can kneel on the sandy bottom in a shallow cave at around 15 metres and watch these majestic creatures cruise by effortlessly. It's an unforgettable, world-class experience.

  • The Apartments (Long Reef): Located off the Northern Beaches, The Apartments features a series of massive underwater boulders and swim-throughs that create a complex, multi-level environment. It's a playground for divers and home to large schools of fish, bull rays, and wobbegong sharks. The depth and structures make it a thrilling dive for advanced divers.

  • SS Tuggerah Wreck: For wreck enthusiasts, the SS Tuggerah is a fantastic dive. This coastal steamer sank in 1919 and now rests upright in about 45 metres of water. It's an impressive sight, often surrounded by huge schools of kingfish, and is a popular site for technical divers due to its depth.

Best Time to Dive in Sydney: A Seasonal Guide

Sydney offers fantastic diving year-round, with each season presenting unique marine encounters. The main trade-off is between warmer water in summer and better visibility in winter.

  • Winter (June - August): This period boasts the best visibility, often exceeding 20 meters. It's the prime time to witness the spectacular breeding aggregation of giant cuttlefish. You'll need a 7mm wetsuit or dry suit.

  • Spring (September - November): As the waters warm, large congregations of Port Jackson sharks gather to breed. This is also migration season, and it's common to hear the haunting songs of humpback whales underwater.

  • Summer (December - February): Enjoy the warmest water temperatures, making for very comfortable diving. Plankton blooms can reduce visibility but attract an abundance of fish, making the reefs feel incredibly vibrant and alive.

  • Autumn (March - May): The 'Goldilocks' season. This period offers a perfect balance of warm, pleasant water temperatures and steadily improving clarity, making it an ideal time for all-around diving.

Choosing the Best Dive Shops in Sydney

Your diving experience in Sydney can vary significantly depending on the dive shop you choose, as each has its own local specialty sites.

Bondi Dive Centre, situated on the iconic beach, focuses on the Eastern Suburbs. They take divers to the kelp forests of North Bondi to find Weedy Seadragons and the sheltered waters of Camp Cove for macro life like seahorses. Their standout trip, however, takes you 90 minutes south for a guaranteed encounter with a resident population of gentle Grey Nurse Sharks—a true bucket-list dive.

On the Northern Beaches, Dive Center Manly has one of Sydney's best shore dives, Shelly Beach, right at its door. This protected marine reserve is packed with life, from Giant Cuttlefish and Wobbegong sharks to schools of Dusky Whalers. Dive Center Manly also offers boat trips to deeper sites along the northern coastline, such as The Apartments, for more advanced diving on underwater walls.

Of course, Sydney has other excellent options, including Abyss Scuba Diving in the south, Sydney Dive Charters in Rose Bay, and Pro Dive, each offering unique access to different parts of the city's underwater world.

How to Get to Sydney

Getting to Sydney is straightforward, as it's a major international hub.

  • By Air: Sydney Airport (SYD) is the main gateway, with connections to destinations all over the world. The airport is conveniently located just 8km from the city centre, with easy access via train, bus, or taxi.

  • Getting Around: To reach dive sites, renting a car offers the most flexibility. However, Sydney's public transport system of trains, buses, and ferries is extensive and can get you close to many popular spots, especially those in the Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches.

Sydney Diving FAQ

What wetsuit thickness do I need for diving in Sydney?
In summer (Dec-Feb), a 5mm wetsuit is usually sufficient. In winter (Jun-Aug), a 7mm wetsuit or a dry suit is recommended as water temperatures can drop to 14-16°C (57-61°F).

Do I need to be an advanced diver?
No! Sydney has excellent sites for all levels. Shelly Beach and Camp Cove are perfect for beginners, while boat dives to deeper wrecks and reefs are available for advanced divers.

Are there dangerous sharks in Sydney?
While various shark species inhabit Sydney's waters, incidents are extremely rare. You are far more likely to see harmless species like the Port Jackson, Wobbegong, or the docile Grey Nurse Shark, all of which are incredible to observe in their natural habitat.

Can I learn to dive in Sydney?
Absolutely. All the major dive shops offer a full range of courses, from beginner "Open Water" certifications to advanced and technical training. The city's sheltered sites provide excellent conditions for learning.

Top Sites

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most popular dive site in Sydney, Australia?
Shelly Beach in Manly is arguably the most popular dive site in Sydney, Australia. As part of the protected Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, it offers an easy shore entry, calm conditions, and a high density of marine life. It's famous for encounters with the resident blue groper, dusky whaler sharks, octopus, and beautiful kelp beds, making it perfect for divers of all levels and underwater photographers.
What are the good and less popular dive sites in Sydney, Australia?
Well-known sites like Bare Island and Camp Cove are excellent, offering rich macro life and easy access. For a less-crowded experience, consider a boat dive to The Apartments at Long Reef. This site features impressive rock formations and swim-throughs, attracting large schools of fish and wobbegong sharks. Another great shore dive is The Steps at Kurnell, which offers a deeper profile and a good chance to spot weedy seadragons.
What water temperature is it like throughout the year diving in Sydney, Australia?
Water temperatures in Sydney, Australia are seasonal. In summer (Dec-Feb), expect 21-24°C (70-75°F). Autumn (Mar-May) sees temperatures of 19-22°C (66-72°F). Winter (Jun-Aug) is the coldest period, with water dropping to 16-19°C (61-66°F). During spring (Sep-Nov), the water warms up again to 17-20°C (63-68°F).
When is the best time to visit Sydney, Australia?
The best time to dive in Sydney, Australia depends on your preference. For the warmest water and best visibility, visit between February and May. However, the winter months (June to August) are also excellent, offering the chance to see Port Jackson sharks aggregating, giant cuttlefish, and the possibility of surface sightings of migrating humpback whales. This period also tends to have fewer crowds at popular shore dive sites.
What's the visibility like during the dive season in Sydney, Australia?
Visibility in Sydney, Australia typically ranges from 5 to 15 meters. On exceptional days, particularly in autumn and winter after a period of calm weather and offshore winds, it can exceed 20 meters. However, visibility can be significantly reduced to less than 5 meters after heavy rainfall or strong onshore swells, especially at dive sites located near estuary openings.
Are there any seasonal migrations or special events (e.g., manta rays, whale sharks) in Sydney, Australia?
While you won't find manta rays or whale sharks, Sydney, Australia has fantastic seasonal events. From May to November, migrating humpback whales can often be spotted from the boat. During winter and spring, Port Jackson sharks aggregate in shallow reefs to breed. Giant cuttlefish also gather in winter, providing spectacular displays. These predictable aggregations make for unique and memorable diving experiences.
What marine life can I expect to see in Sydney, Australia?
Sydney, Australia is home to incredible temperate marine life. Common sightings include the iconic weedy seadragon, friendly blue groper, wobbegong and Port Jackson sharks, giant cuttlefish, and octopus. You'll also find vibrant sponge gardens, moray eels, large schools of fish, and a huge diversity of nudibranchs, making it a paradise for macro photography enthusiasts.
What thickness wetsuit should I wear in Sydney, Australia?
For summer diving in Sydney, Australia (21-24°C), a 5mm wetsuit is generally sufficient. In the cooler winter months (16-19°C), a 7mm wetsuit with a hood and gloves is highly recommended for comfort on longer dives. Some local divers prefer using a drysuit during the coldest parts of winter to stay warm.
How do I get to Sydney, Australia?
To get to Sydney, Australia, you will fly into Sydney Airport (SYD), a major international and domestic hub. From the airport, the city and coastal suburbs are easily accessible via train, bus, taxi, or ride-sharing services. Most shore dive sites are reachable by car, and dive operators offering boat trips are located in various marinas around the harbour and coastline.
Should I book a liveaboard or stay on shore in Sydney, Australia?
There are no multi-day diving liveaboards operating in Sydney, Australia. The dive scene is entirely land-based, which is a major advantage. You can stay in city or beachside accommodation and book daily boat trips with local dive centres or easily drive to one of the many excellent and accessible shore diving sites. This provides great flexibility for your trip.
All Dive Sites in Sydney (79)
Balmoral BathsBare Island EastBare Island WestBarrens HutBass Flinders PointBlue Fish PointBluefish BayBluefish PointBushrangers BayBy Pass ReefCamp CoveCamp Cove SouthCape BanksCape SolanderChowder BayClifton GardensClovelly PoolColoursDee Why WideDees DitchDragons LairFairlightFairy BowerFish BowlFreshwaterGap BluffGordons BayGravel LoaderGreen Point ReserveGunnamutta Bay BathsHenry HeadHenry Head WestHildaLa Perouse PointLilli PilliLittle BayLittle ManlyLittle Manly CoveLong Bay MalabarMagic PointManly BommieManly CoveMarley PointMk ReefMv MalabarNorth BondiOak ParkOld Mans HatOsborn ShoalsOsborne ShoalsParsley BayPinnaclePistol CrackShark IslandShark PointShelly Beach Cabbage Tree BayShip Rock Aquatic ReserveSs Tuggerah WreckSutherland PointTabbagai GapThe ApartmentsThe CenturionThe GapThe GutterThe LeapThe MonumentThe StepsThe Steps Inscription PointThe ValleyThe WallTss Currajong WreckVoodooVoodoo WideWanderersWatsons Bay BathsWedding Cake IslandWhale Watching PlatformWindy PointXanadu Reef