Toowoon Bay is the Central Coast's classic family snorkel. Big Lap Bible calls it the prime family snorkelling site in the region, describing pristine water with abundant marine life, thick seaweed and reef, and visibility of 8-10 m, and Coasties Magazine names the southern side of the bay, known as Little Bay, as the place to go. It is sheltered, shallow, easy to reach and close to a patrolled surf club beach - which makes it ideal for children, nervous swimmers and anyone wanting to try snorkelling or scuba in easy conditions.

The southern corner is where the life is. Low reef and rock platforms run out into the bay, covered in kelp and weed, with sand channels and patches between them. Among the weed are luderick, bream, silver sweep, mado and juvenile eastern blue gropers, and in the cracks and under ledges are red morwong, rock cale, sea urchins, octopus and sea stars.

Stingrays and fiddler rays rest on the sand, and dolphins occasionally cruise into the bay. Although it is primarily a snorkelling spot, the bay also works for relaxed, shallow scuba practice and for macro photographers happy to poke around in 2-5 m. Depths rarely exceed 6 m, so it is not a destination for experienced divers looking for structure, but it is a great place to teach children or build water confidence before trying Terrigal Haven.

Facilities are excellent - toilets, showers, a surf club, playground and nearby cafe - and parking is close to the sand. On calm mornings in summer and autumn, Toowoon Bay gives an easy, rewarding introduction to the Central Coast underwater world.

From the Central Coast Highway at Long Jetty or Bateau Bay, follow Toowoon Bay Road to Bay Road and the beach reserve beside Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club. There is a council car park and street parking beside the reserve; the carry to the sand is short and flat. Walk to the southern end of the beach (Little Bay) and enter from the sand, snorkelling or diving along the rocky edges and over the shallow reef.

The bay is about 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Sydney and 70 minutes from Newcastle; buses run from Tuggerah station.

Toowoon Bay faces east but the southern corner is tucked behind the headland toward Blue Lagoon and Bateau Bay, so it stays calm in light to moderate southerly conditions and small swell. North-easterly winds and swell over about 1 m make it choppy and cloudy, and summer afternoon sea breezes often reduce clarity - go in the morning. After heavy rain, run-off and outflow from Tuggerah Lakes via The Entrance can reduce visibility for a few days.

The beach is patrolled in the swimming season.

Enter at the southern end, snorkel or dive along the rock edge and over the shallow reef and weed patches toward the headland, then drift back over the sand. Stay inside the bay and away from the surf at the northern end.

No regular dive operator; snorkelled independently by families and visitors year-round. Central Coast dive shops occasionally use it for snorkel sessions.