Pelican is a quiet shore dive on the northern side of the Swansea Channel, the tidal entrance to Lake Macquarie. Grey Nurse Charters describes entry from a disused boat ramp at Pelican Foreshore Park, an outbound leg to about 15 m, and a shallow return, over the site of a former marina where soft sandstone has been sculpted by the current and rocks are encrusted with snowflake coral. They call it an easy, relaxing dive.

The current-carved sandstone gives the site more character than its location suggests. Ledges, scoops and undercuts break up the channel bed, and the leftovers of the old marina - pilings, blocks and debris - add hard structure. The snowflake coral, a white soft coral that favours shaded, current-swept rock, gives the rocks a frosted look under a torch.

Like the more famous Swansea Bridge and channel drifts nearby, Pelican is a critter dive. Grey Nurse Charters lists flathead, toadfish, moray eels, seahorses, stripeys and rays, and divers can also expect pipefish, anglerfish, nudibranchs, octopus and cuttlefish, along with bream, luderick and whiting over the sand. The key to the site is tide timing: dive at slack water, preferably at the top of the tide, when clean ocean water floods in.

Because it is shore-based, shallow for much of the dive and away from the busiest channel traffic, it suits Open Water divers and photographers, and it is an excellent night dive when the tide suits. It is a useful alternative when the bridge is busy or the ocean is too rough.

From Swansea, cross the Swansea Bridge north on the Pacific Highway and turn east into Pelican; follow signs to Pelican Foreshore Park on the channel. Park in the reserve car park near the old, disused boat ramp - the carry to the water is short and flat. Enter down the ramp and swim out along the channel edge, heading out deeper on the outbound leg and returning shallower along the foreshore.

Time the dive for slack water, ideally the top of the tide.

As a channel site, Pelican is governed by tides rather than swell. Dive at slack water - preferably the high-tide slack, when clean ocean water floods in through Swansea Channel and visibility is best; the run-out tide carries turbid lake water and can be strong. After heavy rain Lake Macquarie's outflow cuts visibility for days.

Wind has little effect except strong westerlies, which chop up the channel surface. It is diveable year-round and is a good fallback when the ocean is too rough.

Enter at the old ramp at slack water, swim out to about 15 m on the outbound leg over the sculpted sandstone and old marina remains, then turn and drift back in shallower along the foreshore looking for seahorses and small critters. Exit at the ramp.

Grey Nurse Charters and Dive Newcastle guide shore dives here occasionally; mostly dived independently by local divers who know the tides.