Sydney is a remarkable destination for divers, as it offers numerous diverse dive sites - something rarely found in major cities. With Abyss Scuba Diving situated near Sydney's finest aquatic attractions, you can easily and confidently explore the country’s captivating marine life. Australia has some of the most incredible scuba diving opportunities around – come see why today!
Sydney's Best Dive Sites
So why not take the plunge and discover Sydney's stunning underwater world? Anyone can enjoy our dive sites, whether you're a novice or an experienced diver! Join us today as we explore some of the most captivating dive spots around Sydney.
Choose a Dive Site and Come Scuba Diving.
A Guide to Sydney Dive Sites
Sydney is the perfect dive destination for anyone looking to explore some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world. With its easy access to dive sites and abundance of marine life, Sydney offers scuba divers an unforgettable experience.
Divers will find various dive sites within Sydney’s harbour, from shallow reefs teeming with marine life to deep wrecks and vibrant sea walls. Shore dives are a popular option for those who want to stay close to the city, while boat dives provide further access to sites that cannot be reached from shore. A highlight among these dive spots is Magic Point at Maroubra Beach, where divers can swim alongside grey nurse sharks in their natural habitat.
No matter where you dive in Sydney, you’ll be amazed by the sheer diversity of marine life that can be found. From vibrant sponges, soft corals and sea anemones to schools of tropical fish and turtles, divers will be rewarded with a truly unique dive experience.
If you want to explore Sydney's stunning diving spots, look no further! This vast city can be broken down into three distinct diving locations that offer unique experiences. To the south of Sydney, around Botany Bay and Port Hacking; in the heart of Sydney Harbour and its adjoining waterways, or up north near Manly - each area is full of wondrous marine life waiting to be discovered. Let's dive right into what these places have to offer!
Diving to the South of Sydney Harbour
The area to the south of the harbour is an unparalleled haven for divers and boasts some of the finest dive sites in the region. From Magic Point, Bare Island, and Kurnell to Gordons Bay - each site teeming with life! You'll be delighted to discover a plethora of fish species, such as stingrays, giant cuttlefish, port Jackson sharks and even weedy seadragons, amongst others!
Bare Island
Sydney’s premier dive site is Bare Island, with two distinct sites on either side of the island. The Eastern side is considered superior in terms of visibility. It boasts a spectacular variety of marine life - sponges, sea stars, nudibranchs, seahorses, weedy sea dragons, pipefish and Red Indian fish. A wealth of colour awaits any diver exploring this hidden underwater paradise!
Kurnell
Kurnell boasts some of the best shore dives around The Leap, The Steps and Sutherland Point. These esteemed locations are renowned for their weedy seadragons, beautiful sponge gardens and diverse marine life. Though accessing these shore dives may be physically taxing to get down to the water line, it ultimately pays off as you're rewarded with stunning visuals below the surface!
Oak Park
At Oak Park, you can explore a majestic underwater world full of vibrant reefs and fascinating swim-throughs. From the beautiful sponges to the myriad marine creatures, this shallow dive site ensures that there's something for everyone - up to 10 meters deep! Dive in and discover an astonishingly varied spectrum of life right before your eyes.
Gordons Bay
For new divers in search of an easy-to-navigate shore dive, Gordons Bay is the perfect place to start! This tranquil bay boasts waters that reach depths up to 14 meters; it's also ideal for night dives. As you make your way along the 600-meter nature trail marked by chains (which may be buried by sand), you'll come across an abundance of aquatic life: Blue Groper fish, sting rays, wrasse species and nudibranchs - even Port Jackson during wintertime! Each dive session at Gordon's Bay lasts around 30-40 minutes so what are you waiting for? Make your underwater dreams a reality today - Gordons Bay awaits!
Henry Head
Henry Head is the place to be if you're looking for an unforgettable boat diving experience. The site has one of Sydney's most vibrant scenery boasting diverse species and a wide range of colours - from Sponges and sea squirts to red Indian fish and weedy sea dragons! Not only that, but this spectacular haven offers unparalleled views unlike any other spot in the city. So don't miss out on all these wonders; witness it yourself at Henry Head today!
Magic Point
Magic Point is renowned for its diverse population of sharks, including Grey Nurse, Port Jackson, Crested Horn and Wobbegong! While these majestic creatures are regular occupants in the area's waters, remember that wildlife can be unpredictable - sightings may not be possible every time.
Diving Sydney Harbour and adjoining waterways
Diving in the harbour of Sydney is mostly calm and safe, but visibility isn't as great compared to other areas. Most dives are muck dives, so it's important to plan accordingly.
Camp Cove
Camp Cove is a great shore dive for those looking to scuba in Sydney. It's sheltered, calm and easily accessible - even in poor weather conditions! You won’t need to go too deep, with most dives not exceeding 6-7 feet. Still, plenty of marine life is waiting to be discovered here - octopus, squid, leather jackets, and catfish are all regular sights at Camp Cove.
Camp Cove remains a dependable destination to explore when the weather isn't suitable for diving at other locations. Located in the harbour, it typically offers four-five meters of visibility - however, there have been incredible cases of nine-twelve meter clarity! Even when circumstances limit one's view to just two or three meters, an enjoyable dive is still possible.
Clifton Gardens at Chowder Bay
Clifton Gardens is a very protected dive site, one of the best macro dive sites in Sydney! Like a lot of macro subjects, life at Clifton Gardens is well hidden, so travel slowly and take your time. Dive around the pier and nets to find abundant marine life - expect to see Octopus, Cuttlefish, Sea Horses, Angler Fish, Nudibranchs, Decorator crabs, Fanbelly leatherjackets, Luderick, Rays, Flatheads and even a Pineapple fish lurking around! Muck diving here also reveals a wealth of surprises - from anemones and sea slugs to clams. Whatever you find yourself exploring in these waters are certain to be unforgettable memories indeed!
TSS Currajong
The TSS Currajong is one of the most intact shipwrecks in NSW, lying approx. 230 metres off Bradleys Head in 26 metres of water. It is a difficult wreck to dive as it lies directly on the main incoming shipping channel for Sydney Harbour, so it's best to dive into this spot at night after midnight when the ferries have stopped operating. Once you go down to the Currajong, you can experience an incredible sight - with its ancient walls and unique artifacts still intact! As well as being a great place for exploration and discovery, the wreck provides a magnificent habitat for marine life like sea stars and lobsters.
Diving to the North of Sydney Harbour
Shelly Beach
Shelly Beach, part of the magnificently beautiful Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve located at Manly in Sydney's northern beaches, is an ideal spot for a shore dive and a popular night dive destination! Its extraordinary accessibility and crystal clear waters brimming with marine life make it absolutely ideal as your exploration spot. Keep a watchful eye out for Dusky Whaler Sharks that inhabit Shelly Beach- this species usually patrols around the shoreline or swims about deeper walls, so don't miss this rare chance to come face-to-face with these majestic creatures! So head to Shelly Beach now and witness its wonders firsthand - you won't be disappointed!
Apartments, Long Reef
Apartments is a scuba dive site located at Long Reef and offers an array of biodiversity. This gorgeous spot has a bit of everything - from swim-throughs, walls, caves, reefs and rocky outcrops! It's especially popular for its wide variety of sea life that can be found here - expect to see Wobbiegongs, Leatherjackets, Octopus, Cuttlefish and even some friendly dolphins swimming around during your stay. And don't forget the nudibranchs - they're abundant here too! So come on down and explore the wonders of Apartments today!
By scuba diving in Sydney Harbour and its surrounding areas, you will have an incredible time while observing the beauty beneath our waves. Whether it be the majesty of grey nurse sharks, the hidden gems of Clifton Gardens or the unforgettable experience of scuba diving around one of our historic shipwrecks, something special is waiting to be discovered here! So come and explore all that scuba diving in Sydney has to offer and make some wonderful memories along the way!
