Oak Park is one of Sydney's great shore dives, the training ground for generations of divers from Cronulla and the Sutherland Shire, and a site that experienced divers keep returning to. It lies at the end of Jibbon Street on the southern tip of the Cronulla peninsula, where a grassy park with free electric barbecues overlooks the entrance to Port Hacking. The main feature is a wall that arcs out from the shore, first east, then north-east and finally north.

It is only two to three metres high but lined with numerous low caverns and overhangs. Beyond it a deeper wall reaches about 10 m, and a second reef lies about 25 m away across the sand, where the well-known Meditation Cave – small enough to hold only four divers – sits. The terrain is kelp-covered rock and sand, and navigation can be confusing where the reefs meet, especially at night.

The fish life is excellent and remarkably tame. Eastern blue gropers are extremely friendly; one, known as Aristotle, was a resident from 1989. Weedy sea dragons are regular, along with flathead, cuttlefish, eastern rock lobsters, eastern blue devilfish, firefish and many species of wrasse and morwong.

On the sand are angelsharks (which bite if harassed), rays and numbfish. The site is fairly protected from southerly winds, which makes it one of the few shore dives in Sydney that works when the southerly is blowing, but easterly and north-easterly swell can make the platform dangerous. McFadyen calls it an excellent easy dive for beginners and experts alike and a top night dive.

It is also the start or finish of drifts from Windy Point and to Bass and Flinders. Visibility averages 7–8 m. It suits everyone from trainees to photographers looking for sea dragons.

From Cronulla drive south along Ewos Parade/Nicholson Parade to the end of Jibbon Street, where Oak Park sits on the point overlooking Port Hacking's entrance. Park in the street or around the park (busy on sunny weekends – go early). Gear up at the car or on the grass and walk a short distance down to the rock platform by the ocean pool.

Enter either below the pool or at its top-right corner depending on tide and swell, and exit at the same place. The Pro Dive Cronulla shop is a few minutes' drive away.

Oak Park is fairly protected from southerly winds and swell by Jibbon Point and the Bundeena headlands, which is why it is Sydney's standby dive when the southerly blows. It is exposed to easterly and north-easterly swell, which can roll over the rock platform and knock divers off their feet – check the sets before entering. After heavy rain, dirty water from Port Hacking reduces visibility to 3 m or less.

Visibility averages 7–8 m, ranging 3–15 m, and is marginally better on an incoming tide.

Option 1: follow the main wall east for about 80 m, then the lower ledge that runs north-east for more than 300 m past 'The Sword' before turning back. Option 2: head south-east over kelp-covered rock to the sand, follow the reef edges north to the second reef 25 m out and the Meditation Cave (fits four divers). Use a compass – the reefs intersect confusingly, especially at night.

Pro Dive Cronulla uses it constantly for Open Water training and guided shore and night dives; St George Scuba Club, Abyss and Sydney Dive Academy also run shore dives and courses here.