Jew Shoal is Noosa's premier dive and one of the best reefs on the Sunshine Coast. It lies in Laguna Bay, the north-facing bay sheltered by Noosa Heads, and is described by Visit Sunshine Coast as 'a large reef system of ridges, canyons, bommies and an impressive solitary 11-metre pinnacle'. There are two main dive areas. The Pinnacle is a lone rock rising from about 16 m to within 7 m of the surface, and The Caves is a zone of rugged rocky outcrops, gutters and swim-throughs covered in colourful hard and soft corals.

The shoal's reputation rests on its invertebrates. SubSurface Scuba and Visit Sunshine Coast both highlight more than 100 varieties of nudibranch, alongside sea stars, feather stars, shrimps, hermit crabs, urchins, brittle stars and cowries. Fish life includes angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, globefish, rabbitfish, soapfish, morwong, sweetlips and bream, and seasonal visitors include manta rays and grey nurse sharks, which 'turn up from time to time'.

The shallow depth, sheltered position and variety of terrain make Jew Shoal suitable for all levels – SubSurface Scuba markets it to beginners and Open Water divers – while the pinnacle and caves give experienced divers and photographers plenty to explore. Its main vulnerability is the Noosa River: after heavy rain, especially on an ebb tide, the plume can cloud the bay, and the river bar itself limits access in swell.

Jew Shoal is also a well-known fishing mark, so expect boats and some fishing line. For divers based in Noosa, it is the obvious local dive; for Sunshine Coast divers used to the Mooloolaba reefs, it offers different terrain and some of the best nudibranch diversity in the region.

Noosa's reefs are reached by boat. SubSurface Scuba runs Jew Shoal double and triple dives (about 20 minutes' boat ride to the shoal). Private boats launch at the Noosa River ramps (Noosaville/Munna Point or Tewantin) and must cross the Noosa River bar at the river mouth beside Noosa Heads – a shallow, shifting bar that is hazardous in any swell and best crossed on a rising tide in daylight.

Jew Shoal lies in Laguna Bay north of Noosa Main Beach at 26°21.640'S 153°06.890'E, about 3.7 km from the bar – 10-20 minutes by boat. Anchor in sand beside the reef rather than on it, or dive with SubSurface Scuba.

Laguna Bay faces north and is sheltered by the Noosa headland from south-easterly winds and swell, which is why the inshore Noosa reefs are often diveable when the rest of the Sunshine Coast is blown out. North-easterly and northerly winds and swell, common on summer afternoons, make the bay choppy and surge over the shallow reef. The Noosa River bar closes in moderate swell.

Visibility is typically 8-15 m and drops after rain because of the Noosa River plume, particularly on the ebb tide – dive on the flood. Winter (May-October) brings clearer water and occasional grey nurse sharks and mantas; summer is warmer with leopard sharks.

For The Pinnacle, descend onto the top at 7 m and spiral down around it to the base at about 16 m, then return up the pinnacle for a long safety stop. For The Caves, descend to 10-12 m and work through the gutters and swim-throughs, checking the coral-covered walls for nudibranchs. Keep a compass heading back to the anchor.

SubSurface Scuba – Jew Shoal double and triple dive trips from Noosa/Mooloolaba, suitable for all levels; otherwise private boats and kayak divers.