The Balcony lies close to shore off Royal National Park, south of Jibbon Bombora, The Split, Barrens Hut and The Gullies, and is named for a low underwater wall that resembles a balcony. Because the anchor is very close to the cliffs, the site can only be dived in very flat seas. From the anchor in 14–17 m, divers head east to the sand and reef edge at 20–22 m, where there are a couple of small overhangs and slits.

After 10–15 minutes a low rock appears on the right, and a gap beside it leads into a kelp-covered sandy and rocky area that rises into boulders, small and large. Here stands the balcony itself, the low wall that gives the site its name, and beyond it another sheer wall and canyons between boulders. Very large boulders at 15–18 m form swim-throughs.

McFadyen says the site is always – and he does mean always – full of fish: huge schools of yellowtail with silver sweep, ladder-finned pomfret, one-spot pullers, bullseyes and leatherjackets. Weedy sea dragons are seen occasionally, and rays, including big bullrays, rest on the sand. In September 2025 his group met a sunfish and had three encounters with a humpback whale on one dive, a reminder of how productive this coast is during the migration.

Visibility of 15 m is typical on good days. It is a relaxed, fish-filled dive with enough terrain to hold interest and suits Open Water divers and photographers, provided the sea is flat enough to anchor close in.

Boat only. Launch in Port Hacking (Gunnamatta Bay/Tonkin Park at Cronulla, Lilli Pilli or Bundeena ramps), run out through the entrance and turn right (south), passing between Jibbon Bombora and Jibbon Head in suitable weather, then follow the Royal National Park cliffs south. The Balcony is about 3 km south of the Port Hacking entrance, 12 minutes by boat, beyond Jibbon Bombora, The Split, Barrens Hut and The Gullies.

McFadyen's GPS is 34° 05.9312' S 151° 09.8075' E; anchor in about 14–17 m. The boat must anchor very close to shore, so the site needs very flat seas.

The Royal National Park coast south of Jibbon faces east and takes swell from the north-east round to the south-east; southerly swell partly wraps around. These sites lie close to the cliffs, and the shallower ones need calm seas so that boats can anchor near shore and divers are not caught in surge – plan on seas under about 1–1.5 m. Westerly and north-westerly winds give the best conditions; a strong north-easter makes the return to Port Hacking rough.

Visibility is generally good because the coast is far from urban runoff, typically 12–20 m, occasionally 30 m. The Balcony needs very flat seas because the anchor is very close to the cliffs and the shallow sections surge heavily. Visibility of 15 m is typical on good days.

Humpback whales pass close in winter and spring.

Head east to the sand and reef edge at 20–22 m, past small overhangs and slits; after 10–15 minutes pass through the gap beside a low rock on the right into a kelp-covered sandy/rocky area, then up through the boulders to the balcony wall and its fish, and shallower to the sheer wall and canyons. Return south and east along the sand edge, spending time among the big boulders and swim-throughs at 15–18 m.

No regular charter – private boat or dive-club (St George Scuba Club) only; no charter boat currently operates out of Port Hacking.