New South Wales · 27 sites
Forster & Seal Rocks dive sites
Forster is one of the best places in the world to dive with grey nurse sharks. The Pinnacles, Latitude Rock and the Big Seal at Seal Rocks hold aggregations of 20–60 sharks in season, and Seal Rocks' gutters are within a few hundred metres of a beach launch. The SS Satara, a 1910 steamer in 44 m, and the Pinnacle's own wrecks add deep options.
- Sites
- 27
- Wrecks
- 3
- Shore
- 2
- Boat
- 24
- Beginner
- 14
- Deepest
- 60 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026Grey nurse sharks are reliably at Seal Rocks and the Pinnacle, the water is 17–18 °C and the westerly mornings are clear; the swell is the only limiter for the boats out of Forster. Bennett's Head and the Forster shore dives work on most calm days.
Getting there
Three and a half hours north of Sydney. Forster charters run the Pinnacles and Latitude Rock; Seal Rocks is a beach launch or a longer boat trip. Shore dives at Forster's Bennetts Head and the Tuncurry breakwall.
When to go
Year-round for sharks, with the largest numbers from late autumn to spring. Summer brings the warmest water and occasional mantas.
Water & suit
Summer 22-25 °C · winter 17-20 °C. 3-5 mm steamer summer; 5-7 mm full suit or semi-dry winter
Nearest chamber: Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, Sydney) — John Hunter Hospital Newcastle has no recompression chamber
Most recorded marine life in Forster & Seal Rocks
- Grey nurse sharks 4
- Invertebrates 3
- Kingfish 3
- Port jackson sharks 3
- Bull rays 2
- General reef fish 2
- Grey nurse sharks (possible) 2
- Loggerhead turtles 2
- Sponges 2
- Turtles 2
- Wobbegongs 2
- 38+ recorded nudibranch species 1
- Aggregations of 50+) 1
- Boarfish 1
Plan a dive trip to Forster & Seal Rocks →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Forster & Seal Rocks
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Forster & Seal Rocks
Built from the sites in this region: an easy start, the signature dives, then something deeper or further. Swap days around the weather; the site pages say which winds and swell close each one.
Build your own Forster & Seal Rocks plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Forster & Seal Rocks's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Sugarloaf Bay / Boat Beach (Seal Rocks shore)Shore/Rock Platform · Max 10 m · Snorkel/Any
- Black Head Reef (Forster)Reef · Max 18 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Forster & Seal Rocks for, including the main wreck.
- Big Seal RockIsland · Max 45 m · Technical (decompression)
- The Pinnacle (Forster)Pinnacle/Bommie · Max 33 m · Deep/Advanced + experience
Day 3 · Deeper or further
For divers with the certification and the weather: the deeper walls, pinnacles or less-visited sites of Forster & Seal Rocks.
- The Grotto / Labyrinth / Interlinked Caves (Seal Rocks)Cave/Cavern · Max 33 m · Cave/Cavern certification
- SS Satara wreckWreck · Max 44 m · Wreck specialty recommended
Dive centres and charters in Forster & Seal Rocks
All New South Wales operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Map of Forster & Seal Rocks dive sites
Click a pin for the site. 18 sites without published coordinates are not shown.
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9 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 27 Forster & Seal Rocks dive sites
All Forster & Seal Rocks sites at a glance
27 sites in Forster & Seal Rocks · click a column to sort
| Bait Grounds (Forster) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Bennett's Head Bommie | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 10 m | Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| Big Seal Rock | Island | Max 45 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Daily |
| Black Head Reef (Forster) | Reef | Max 18 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Diamond Reef (Forster) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| Edith Breaker | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Forster – Elim Shoals | Reef | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Forster Barge | Wreck | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Hayden's Rock | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Idol Bay | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Jimmy's Cave (Seal Rocks) | Cave/Cavern | Max 34 m | Cave/Cavern certification | Boat | Occasional |
| Latitude Reef | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Latitude Rock | Reef | Max 15 m | Open Water | Boat | Daily |
| Little Seal Rock | Island | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Daily |
| Seal Rocks – Little Rock | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Seal Rocks – Sawtooth Rocks | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Seal Rocks – Western Gutter | Reef | Max 28 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Snowflake (Forster) | Reef | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Spot A / Cape Hawk Wall | Wall | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| SS Catterthun wreck | Wreck | Max 60 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Rare |
| SS Satara wreck | Wreck | Max 44 m | Wreck specialty recommended | Boat | Weekly |
| Statis Rock | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Sugarloaf Bay / Boat Beach (Seal Rocks shore) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| The Colours (Forster) | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| The Grotto / Labyrinth / Interlinked Caves (Seal Rocks) | Cave/Cavern | Max 33 m | Cave/Cavern certification | Boat | Weekly |
| The Pinnacle (Forster) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 33 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Daily |
| Wallis Lake estuary diving | Freshwater Lake/River | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
Forster & Seal Rocks diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Forster & Seal Rocks?
Three and a half hours north of Sydney. Forster charters run the Pinnacles and Latitude Rock; Seal Rocks is a beach launch or a longer boat trip. Shore dives at Forster's Bennetts Head and the Tuncurry breakwall.
When is the best time to dive Forster & Seal Rocks?
Year-round for sharks, with the largest numbers from late autumn to spring. Summer brings the warmest water and occasional mantas.
How many dive sites are there in Forster & Seal Rocks?
27 documented sites, including 3 wrecks and 2 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 60 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Forster & Seal Rocks?
Yes, 14 sites are rated beginner. Look for the green Beginner tag in the list below, and check the weather notes on each page before diving.
How cold is the water in Forster & Seal Rocks?
Typically 22-25 °C in summer and 17-20 °C in winter. Most divers wear 3-5 mm steamer summer; 5-7 mm full suit or semi-dry winter.
Which dive centres operate in Forster & Seal Rocks?
Forster Dive Centre are recorded as running sites in Forster & Seal Rocks. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Forster & Seal Rocks?
Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, Sydney) — John Hunter Hospital Newcastle has no recompression chamber. In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
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