Bronte marks the northern end of the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, which runs about 4 km along the coast from the southern end of Bronte Beach to the rock baths at Coogee and extends 100 m offshore, covering around 40 hectares. The reserve includes Clovelly Bay and Gordons Bay, two of Sydney's most popular shore dives, and its habitats include rocky shores, nearshore reefs, kelp forests and sand flats. At Bronte itself the diving is on the rocky reef and kelp at the southern end of the beach beside the historic Bronte Baths, where a shallow platform gives way to gutters and boulders under the headland.

The species are those of the reserve as a whole: eastern blue gropers, Maori wrasse, old wives, stingarees and nudibranchs, with chitons, starfish and flatworms in the intertidal zone, plus the luderick, silver sweep, mado and yellowtail common on Eastern Suburbs reefs. Under the reserve rules it is prohibited to collect cunjevoi or any marine invertebrates other than the few species listed, although line fishing and spearfishing are allowed at Bronte (unlike in Clovelly and Gordons Bay). Bronte is far less dived than Clovelly or Gordons Bay because it is exposed to surf and rips and rarely calm enough for a comfortable entry; most divers choose the sheltered bays further south within the same reserve.

On a genuinely flat winter day it offers a quiet shallow reef dive or snorkel in a protected area, suited to experienced shore divers comfortable with rock-platform entries.

Drive to Bronte via Bronte Road and park in the Bronte Park car park or surrounding streets (metered, very busy on summer weekends). Walk to the southern end of the beach near the Bronte Baths. Entry is from the rock platform beside the baths or from the sand at the southern corner on a calm day, snorkelling out over the reef.

The Bondi-to-Coogee coastal walk passes the site, so it is often combined with a visit to Clovelly or Gordons Bay further south.

Bronte faces east and is exposed to swell from the north-east through the south-east; the beach is known for strong rips and surf. Only attempt the reef on very flat days (swell under about 0.5–1 m), ideally with westerly winds. After rain, stormwater from the Bronte Gully drain affects water quality for a day or two.

Summer north-east sea breezes make afternoon conditions choppy.

Enter by the baths on a flat day, snorkel out and descend on the reef edge at 4–6 m, then follow the gutters and kelp south along the headland, turning well before any surge and returning to the same exit.

No regular operator – occasional snorkellers and experienced independent divers; Dive Centre Bondi and Pro Dive Coogee prefer Clovelly and Gordons Bay in the same reserve.