Popular Sydney Dive Sites
There are many dive sites in Sydney so I will outline some of my favourite.
The Apartments – the boat usually leaves Long Reef for this dive and takes you out to the apartments. This dive always has lots of fish and coral but the visibility can be quite bad at times, there is also the chance of large swell. Once under the visibility normally improves and the dive is always good. There is a Gropper that hangs around there plus many bonuses like lion fish and eels. There are lots of good swim throughs and places of interest. The Chapel and Wall are nest to the apartments and are very similar.
Max. Depth: 20m
Old Mans Hat – The boat for this dive leaves from Manly and takes you out to Old Mans Hat. This promises to be a good dive with max visibility and minimum swell. There is a hell of a lot of coral and interesting fish, if you look around there are several anchors lying around. The dive quickly goes from 10m to 25m so watch your depth. This is one of Sydney’s better dives.
Max. Depth: 25m
Shelly Beach – This is probably the best shore dive in Sydney. There are resident gropers who are very friendly. Lots of goatfish and yellow fin. The visibility is normally good and there is rarely any swell or surge. The dive is straightforward and great for beginners to advanced divers. You have to watch your weight because this is a shallow dive so wear 3 pound more weights.
Max. Depth: 10
The Sharks – This popular dive site is located near Malibar and as the dive name suggests you go to see the sharks. This is a must do dive with beautiful marine life and coral. You descend into the water and almost forget why you came for the dive. After swimming along a small wall you reach a small shallow cave containing between 2 and 12 Grey Nurse Sharks. The rest of the dive you just lie on the bottom watching these majestic creatures until you are sad to leave for the surface.
Max. Depth: 25m
