Nurse Rock has become one of the Sunshine Coast's signature dives. Formerly called Wobby (or Wobbie) Rock for its wobbegongs, it was renamed by operators after becoming 'one of Australia's newest grey nurse shark aggregations' in the winter months between July and October, according to Sunreef.

Sunreef describes the site as 14-22 m deep, with lovely boulders at the bottom and small swim-throughs to explore. It sits towards the outer edge of the reef, so it typically has better visibility year-round than the more inshore sites. The boulder field provides the gutters and shelter that grey nurse sharks favour, and in winter they hover in the gaps between the rocks. Summer brings wobbegongs back as the dominant shark.

The supporting cast is strong: large schools of surgeonfish, turtles, rays, cuttlefish, eels and tropical reef fish, and in the cooler months humpback whales can be seen – and heard – during the dive or on the surface interval.

Grey nurse sharks are critically endangered on Australia's east coast, and while Nurse Rock is not a declared protected area like Wolf Rock, the same code of conduct applies: stay close to the bottom, don't swim into gutters where sharks are resting, don't chase or touch them, and avoid blocking their path. The sharks are placid and will usually cruise close by if divers are calm.

With a maximum of 22 m, Nurse Rock suits Advanced divers, or Open Water divers staying at 18 m with a guide. Sunreef runs it as part of its core double-dive rotation.

Mooloolaba's dive boats leave from The Wharf on the Mooloolah River (Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba), about 1.5 hours' drive north of Brisbane via the Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway. Scuba World's shop is about 40 m from its boat, with 100+ free all-day parking spaces nearby; Sunreef departs from the same precinct. Boats run down the calm river, cross the Mooloolah River mouth beside Point Cartwright and head north-east to the reefs – about 15 minutes to the Inner Gneerings and Mudjimba Island.

Private boats can launch at the Mooloolaba (Parkyn Parade/Lions Park) ramps. Operators choose between sites on the day according to swell and current.

The Mooloolaba reefs are open-ocean sites with no shelter from the south-east trade winds or easterly swell. Operators generally cancel when winds exceed about 20 knots or swell makes the river-mouth crossing and moorings unsafe; they confirm trips by email and text around 3.30 pm the day before. Northerly winds (common on summer afternoons) also make the reefs choppy, so morning trips are more reliable.

Visibility averages about 12 m offshore (range 3-30 m) and is clearest after southerly winds and in winter; it drops after easterly blows and heavy rain. Winter (June-October) brings 19-21°C water, grey nurse sharks and humpback whales; summer (November-May) brings 25-27°C water, leopard sharks and lower visibility.

Descend to the boulders at 18-22 m and move slowly around them, staying low and still when grey nurse sharks are present – do not chase or block them. Explore the small swim-throughs, then ascend onto the higher rock at 14-15 m. Sunreef plans 50 minutes or 50 bar.

Sunreef Mooloolaba – double reef dives most days, rotating between Mudjimba Island, Nurse Rock, Hanging Rock and Caves; Scuba World Mooloolaba – reef double dives rotating through the Gneering Shoals and Mudjimba sites; SubSurface Scuba – Sunshine Coast reef double dives.