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Sydney Dive Conditions
To help you get the most from your Sydney diving.
Diving Conditions Report for Sydney, 18 November 2024
Today's dive conditions present a 1.2-meter swell with a period of 9 seconds, which, combined with a large tidal change, demands careful selection of dive sites. Visibility ranges from 5 to 8 meters and a water temperature of 20c, offering moderate views of the marine environment. High tide occurs at 11:28 am, followed by a low tide at 6:21 pm. Given these dynamics, Shelly Beach stands out as the best choice for safe and enjoyable diving, thanks to its sheltered position.
Note: As always, it’s important to check out the particular site before committing to it. While we strive to provide the most accurate information, diving conditions can change rapidly. Always check the latest updates before you head out.
When choosing your dive site to get the best conditions, we make the following recommendations:
How Conditions Affect Dive Sites
| Lilli Pilli | Well-protected against all swell, exposed to strong Westerly winds. Best on an incoming tide |
| Ship Rock | Not exposed to any swell, best on a high slack tide. The best time is 15 minutes prior to high tide |
| Bass & Flinders | Good, except for a NE swell greater than 1.4m. Best to scuba dive on an incoming tide |
| Oak Park | Should not dive if SE to N Swell great than 0.7m, Best diving on low tide |
| VooDoo | Best SW to NW swells. All other conditions' swell must be less than 0.5m. Best on High Tide. |
| Cape Solander | Best SW to NW swells. All other conditions' swell must be less than 0.7m. Tide has no effect |
| The Leap | Should not dive if swell E to S greater than 1m, Best on an incoming tide, close to high tide |
| The Steps | Protected with exposure to E to ESE swell greater than 1m. |
| Sutherland Point | Well protected with only exposure is an ESE swell greater than 1.8m. The best tide is incoming. |
| Bare Island | Should not dive if S swell is greater than 1.2m. The best diving is an N swell and incoming tide |
| Shelly Beach | Should not dive if w swell is greater than 0.8m. Protected from all but a westerly swell |
Understanding Water Visibility in the Ocean Around Sydney
Are you a scuba diver getting ready to explore the waters around Sydney? If so, it’s important to understand how water visibility can vary in your area. Understanding local currents, weather conditions and other factors will help you maximise any dive. Knowledge is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience underwater – so let’s delve into some factors that affect water visibility in Sydney!
When you are planning to dive in the water around Sydney, it is important to understand water visibility. Water visibility is defined as how far down a diver can see in the water. It can vary greatly depending on the area and water conditions like weather, surf and tides. On any day in Sydney, water visibility can range from crystal clear up to muddled with sediment due to storm surges and heavy rains. For example, after a strong storm, wind and heavy rainwater visibility, today might be reduced, resulting in a more difficult time for divers with less environmental awareness than normal. Divers need to observe water visibility before entering the ocean to ensure optimal safety standards are upheld.
Varying environmental factors can largely impact the clarity of the water. Heavy precipitation and strong winds, for instance, may cause the surface to become disturbed, resulting in a build-up of sediment that blocks visibility. Tides also play an essential role in sight - powerful waves disrupt settled particles while slack high tide offers optimal conditions during weak tidal flow as more debris is likely to settle on the ocean floor. If you're looking for optimal visibility, the rivers and Sydney Harbour/Botany Bay regions are where to be – particularly during slack high tide. When diving locations such as Bare Island, the eastern side of this island is often best since here water movement is limited.
Additionally, seasonal algal blooms caused by nutrients in the water body can drastically reduce water visibility over an area. Understanding all these key factors is essential for navigating in any body of water with optimal safety and efficiency.
Visibility can be one of the most important considerations for dive site selection. Reading dive reports is an excellent way to help ensure that dive sites have good visibility conditions. Pay attention to the details of the dive report, such as where there could be a greater sediment concentration or if strong currents or tides were noted. Tides can bring different nutrients and particles into dive sites which may affect visibility, so researching predicted tides in a dive location is necessary. Other factors should also be considered, such as the direction of the surf and the wind direction, which can help remove any suspended particles or sediment from an area. This information can help you select dive sites with higher water visibility conditions.
Overall, understanding water visibility and the factors that cause it is essential for any diver preparing to explore the oceans around Sydney. Different days bring different conditions, so be sure to plan your dive trip accordingly and keep a keen eye on both surf and tides, as they affect visibility greatly. By following these tips, divers in Sydney will be able to find the best sites with the greatest visibility, allowing them to make the most of their time underwater with an experience like no other.
Sydney weather conditions/ diving conditions forecast
The diving conditions in Sydney vary throughout the year.
Water temperatures usually range from 15C to 25C, with visibility from 1m to 20m, with normal visibility from 5m to 10m. Diving in Sydney is good all year round.
Sydney Sea Water Temperatures
| Month | Min °C | Max °C |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21.5 | 25.1 |
| February | 22.1 | 25.3 |
| March | 21.6 | 25.3 |
| April | 20.8 | 24.6 |
| May | 18.8 | 22.6 |
| June | 17.5 | 21.1 |
| July | 17.3 | 20.9 |
| August | 17.4 | 20.2 |
| September | 17.2 | 19.9 |
| October | 17.5 | 20.9 |
| November | 19.1 | 22.1 |
| December | 19.5 | 24.3 |
Frequently asked Question Relating to Diving Conditions in Sydney
When is the best time to dive in Sydney?
Sydney is great for diving all year. I prefer to dive from July to October when the sea is the flattest and the water the clearest, although you do need a good-quality wetsuit, gloves, and a hood. The water is warmer from October to May.
What’s the average water temperature for diving here?
Expect water temperatures in Sydney to range from about 15°C in winter to 25°C in summer.
How’s the visibility for diving in Sydney?
Visibility varies, typically ranging from 5 to 20 meters (16 to 65 feet), with the clearest conditions in the period July to October.
Are there strong currents at Sydney’s dive sites?
Most popular dive sites around Sydney have mild currents, making them suitable for divers of all levels.
Is Sydney good for beginner divers?
Absolutely! Sites like Shelly Beach and Bare Island are perfect for beginners with easy shore entries and shallow waters.
What marine life might I see while diving in Sydney?
You’ll encounter diverse marine life, including weedy sea dragons, cuttlefish, wobbegong sharks, blue groupers, and occasionally dolphins and seals.
Should I wear a wetsuit when diving in Sydney?
Yes, a wetsuit is advised. In winter, a 5-7mm wetsuit works best, while a 3-5mm wetsuit or shorty can be used for warmer summer months, but most divers stick to a 5-7mm wetsuit.
How can I check diving conditions?
Check local dive shop websites like Abyss Scuba Diving for daily updates on conditions. Use marine weather apps like Seabreeze or WillyWeather for forecasts on wind, swell, and tides. Real-time data from buoys and tide charts are helpful, and the Bureau of Meteorology offers detailed forecasts. For the most accurate information, reach out to local dive shops directly.
Other Sydney weather resources
Sydney ocean conditions forecast 