New South Wales · 113 sites
Sydney South & Botany Bay dive sites
Sydney's southern beaches and Botany Bay hold the city's biggest cluster of dive sites, and most of them are shore dives. Bare Island, on the northern side of Botany Bay, is the most-dived site in the state, with a dozen named reefs around one small island; Kurnell's Steps and Monument on the southern side are famous for weedy seadragons and sea horses. Magic Point at Maroubra has resident grey nurse sharks, and the offshore reefs off Coogee and Cronulla have wrecks and sponge gardens in 20–40 m.
- Sites
- 113
- Wrecks
- 14
- Shore
- 24
- Boat
- 72
- Beginner
- 16
- Deepest
- 63 m
Conditions outlook · Late September – October 2026
Written 27 September 2026The best two months of Sydney shore diving are ending. Westerlies still flatten Bare Island, Shelly and Kurnell on most mornings, water is 16–18 °C and visibility is regularly 15 m-plus. Grey nurse numbers at Magic Point thin out through October as the sharks move north; weedy seadragons are carrying eggs at Kurnell and Bare Island. Nor'easters return in the afternoons, so dive before 11 am.
Getting there
All the shore sites are within 30 minutes of the CBD with car parks and beach or rock entries. Boat charters leave from Botany Bay, Rose Bay and Cronulla for the offshore reefs and Magic Point.
When to go
Year-round. Botany Bay sites work on southerly swell; Bare Island's western side is flattest on westerly winds. Winter gives the best visibility.
Water & suit
Summer 21–24 °C · winter 15–18 °C. 7 mm wetsuit or semi-dry year round; 5 mm adequate Jan–Apr; hood and gloves in winter; drysuit optional Jul–Oct
Nearest chamber: Prince of Wales Hospital Hyperbaric Unit (Randwick, Sydney)
Most recorded marine life in Sydney South & Botany Bay
- Yellowtail 73
- Sponges 52
- Silver sweep 46
- Bream 42
- Seapike 42
- Cuttlefish 41
- Eastern blue devilfish 32
- Sea squirts 31
- Luderick 26
- One-spot puller 26
- Leatherjackets 25
- Wobbegong 25
- Gorgonians 23
- Port jackson shark 23
Plan a dive trip to Sydney South & Botany Bay →Find your diveCompare the top 4 side by sideNew diver? Start here
The most-dived sites in Sydney South & Botany Bay
Suggested trip
A 3-day dive trip to Sydney South & Botany Bay
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 Sydney South & Botany Bay plan: pick days, level and must-dive sites →Day 1 · Settle in
Start with Sydney South & Botany Bay's easier shore dives: check your weighting, get used to the water temperature and dive the sheltered side of the coast.
- Bare IslandShore/Rock Platform · Max 15 m · Open Water
- The Monument / Sutherland Point (Kurnell)Shore/Rock Platform · Max 14 m · Open Water
Day 2 · The signature dives
A charter day on the sites people travel to Sydney South & Botany Bay for, including the main wreck.
- Magic PointCave/Cavern · Max 22 m · Advanced Open Water
- The Colours (Inner & Outer)Wall · Max 35 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 Sydney South & Botany Bay.
- Shark Point (Clovelly)Shore/Rock Platform · Max 26 m · Advanced Open Water
- Henry Head (Botany Bay)Reef · Max 27 m · Advanced Open Water
Dive centres and charters in Sydney South & Botany Bay
All New South Wales operators →Operators recorded as running sites in this region. Each profile lists the specific sites it goes to.
Abyss Scuba Diving
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Ramsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney operation associated with training across recreational and technical levels, boat diving and equipment services.
abyss.com.au · +61 2 9583 9662
Full serviceTechnicalTrainingPADI12 services122 sites
Frog Dive Sydney
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Gladesville · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Willoughby PADI 5 Star IDC founded in 1985, teaching recreational through Trimix and rebreather courses with PADI, SDI and TDI, and testing cylinders in-store.
frogdive.com.au · (02) 9958 5699
Full serviceTrainingTechnicalPADISDITDI16 services54 sites
Pro Dive Sydney
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
St Peters · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's inner-Sydney training centre at Alexandria, close to Camp Cove, Clovelly, Gordons Bay and Bare Island, with courses to Divemaster, hire and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9665 6333
TrainingFull serviceRetail7 services47 sites
Dive Centre Manly
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Manly · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Northern Beaches operation with a long-standing presence at Shelly Beach, offering recreational training, boat diving and technical pathways.
divesydney.com.au · (02) 9977 4355
Full serviceTrainingTechnicalPADI12 services45 sites
Pro Dive Brookvale
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Brookvale · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Pro Dive's Northern Beaches centre at Brookvale, running the 43-foot dive boat Sea Life V alongside courses, hire, air fills and servicing.
prodive.com.au · (02) 9977 5966
TrainingRetailCharter9 services41 sites
Dive Centre Bondi
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Bondi · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
An Eastern Suburbs PADI 5 Star IDC on Bondi Road teaching through Instructor and technical levels, with air, Nitrox and Trimix fills and manufacturer-approved servicing.
divebondi.com.au · +61 2 9369 3855
Full serviceTrainingTechnicalPADI12 services32 sites
ADRENO Sydney
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Alexandria · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
The Sydney branch of Adreno, an 850-square-metre spearfishing, freediving and scuba store in Alexandria that also runs SSI scuba courses.
adreno.com.au · (02) 9669 6214
RetailTrainingSSI3 services
Geo Divers
ProfiledConfirmed Sept 2026
Clyde · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre running small-group courses with two PADI professionals, from Discover Scuba through Instructor training.
geodivers.com.au · (02) 9689 1389
TrainingRetailPADI9 services
Scuba Warehouse
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
Clyde · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A Sydney equipment retailer. Whether training and in-house servicing are offered requires verification.
scubawarehouse.com.au · (02) 9689 1389
Retail1 services
Wilderness Sea n' Ski
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
Liverpool · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
A far south coast business providing equipment and dive services. Range and training availability require verification.
wilderness.net.au · (02) 9822 4112
RetailTraining2 services
Ocean Hut
ListedConfirmed Sept 2026
Narooma · Narooma & Montague Island · NSW
A Sydney dive equipment business. Retail range, servicing and training availability require verification.
(02) 4476 2278
Retail1 services
St George Scuba Club
Named by sitesConfirmed Sept 2026
Ramsgate · Sydney South & Botany Bay · NSW
Club, not a shop; meets third Tuesday monthly at Ramsgate RSL.
stgeorgescubaclub.org.au
71 sites
Map of Sydney South & Botany Bay dive sites
Click a pin for the site.
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113 pinned sites. Pins marked approximate on their pages show the general area only; not for navigation.
All 113 Sydney South & Botany Bay dive sites
All Sydney South & Botany Bay sites at a glance
113 sites in Sydney South & Botany Bay · click a column to sort
| Anchor Reef (Kurnell) | Wall | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Astrolabe Cove / La Perouse Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Bare Island | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| Bare Island – 15 Metre Reef | Reef | Max 16 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Bare Island – Bombora | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 14 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Bare Island – Deep Wall | Wall | Max 19 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Weekly |
| Bare Island – Isolated Reefs | Reef | Max 19 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Bare Island – Left (Eastern Side) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| Bare Island – Not So Deep Wall | Wall | Max 16 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Barrens Hut (Royal National Park) | Wall | Max 28 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Bass and Flinders Point (Cronulla) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 6 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Big Saigon (Cape Baily) | Wall | Max 32 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Blue Devil Reef (Port Hacking) | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Bondi Wall / North Bondi Reef | Wall | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| Bronte (Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Bypass Reef (Cape Banks) | Wall | Max 33 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Cape Banks / Cruwee Cove | Reef | Max 30 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Cape Banks Bridge | Reef | Max 28 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Cape Solander – Whale Watching Platform | Wall | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Clovelly Pool / Clovelly Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 11 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| Dunbar wreck (South Head) | Wreck | Max 7 m | Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Flat Rock (South Bondi) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Gordons Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| GT Reef (Kurnell) | Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Henry Head (Botany Bay) | Reef | Max 27 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| Hereward wreck (Maroubra Beach) | Wreck | Max 3 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Rare |
| Hungry Jacks (Jibbon) | Wall | Max 27 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Indian Point (Congwong Bay) | Reef | Max 16 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Inscription Point (Kurnell) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 14 m | Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| JD Reef North (Royal National Park) | Artificial Reef | Max 31 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Jibbon Beach (Bundeena) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 8 m | Snorkel/Any | Shore | Occasional |
| Jibbon Bombora (Fish Reef) | Pinnacle/Bommie | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Jolong (Cape Banks) | Wall | Max 30 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| KFC Reef (Jibbon) | Reef | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Kurnell Desalination Plant Inlet | Artificial Reef | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| La Perouse Point (Larpa) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 14 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Lilli Pilli (Port Hacking) | Muck/Sand | Max 13 m | Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Little Bay | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 13 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Little Bay – 4th Hole | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Little Saigon (Cape Baily) | Wall | Max 32 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Long Bay (Malabar) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| M & K Reef | Wall | Max 30 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Maccas Reef (Jibbon) | Reef | Max 27 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Magic Point | Cave/Cavern | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Daily |
| Mahon Pool (North Maroubra) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| Marley Point (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Marley Point North (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Marys Reef (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Middle Ground (Cronulla) | Reef | Max 33 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Middle Ground North (Cronulla) | Reef | Max 32 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Minmi Trench | Reef | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Mistral Point | Wall | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| MV Malabar wreck (Long Bay) | Wreck | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| North Bondi (Ben Buckler Point) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Weekly |
| Oak Park (Cronulla) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| One Spot Reef (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Oporto Reef (Jibbon) | Reef | Max 26 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Osborn Shoal (Cronulla) | Reef | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Osborn Shoal East | Wall | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Osborn Shoal South West | Wall | Max 18 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Osborn Shoal West | Wall | Max 17 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Pink Floyd (Botany Bay) | Wall | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Pistol Crack (Cape Banks) | Wall | Max 27 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Occasional |
| Pizza Reef (Jibbon) | Reef | Max 27 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Red Flag (Long Bay Rifle Range) | Reef | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Red Rooster Reef (Jibbon) | Wall | Max 27 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Rifle Range Reef (Malabar) | Wall | Max 25 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Secluded Cemetery | Wall | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Shark Point (Clovelly) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Weekly |
| Shiprock (Port Hacking) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 18 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| Six Fathom Reef (Port Hacking) | Reef | Max 27 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| South Maroubra | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Occasional |
| SS Annie M. Miller wreck | Wreck | Max 46 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Rare |
| SS Goolgwai wreck (Long Bay) | Wreck | Max 10 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| SS Hilda wreck (Cape Baily) | Wreck | Max 27 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| SS Kelloe wreck | Wreck | Max 51 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Rare |
| SS Minmi wreck (Cape Banks) | Wreck | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| SS Tekapo wreck (South Maroubra) | Wreck | Max 7 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| SS Tuggerah wreck | Wreck | Max 49 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Occasional |
| SS Undola wreck | Wreck | Max 45 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Rare |
| SS Woniora wreck | Wreck | Max 63 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Expedition |
| Tabbagai Gap | Wall | Max 29 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Tabbagai Point | Wall | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| The Balcony (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| The Colours (Inner & Outer) | Wall | Max 35 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Weekly |
| The Container Wall (Port Botany) | Artificial Reef | Max 14 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| The Cutting (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| The Cutting North Reef | Reef | Max 21 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| The Gap (South Head) | Reef | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| The Gullies / Underwater Wilderness | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| The Leap (Kurnell) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| The Leap Deep (Kurnell) | Wall | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore or Boat | Weekly |
| The Monument / Sutherland Point (Kurnell) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 14 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| The Split (Royal National Park) | Wall | Max 28 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| The Steps (Kurnell) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 15 m | Open Water | Shore | Daily |
| The Wanderers (Bate Bay) | Reef | Max 46 m | Technical (decompression) | Boat | Rare |
| Truck Tyre Reef / Pistol Point | Wall | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| TSS Belbowrie wreck (South Maroubra) | Wreck | Max 8 m | Open Water | Shore or Boat | Rare |
| Tumbledowns (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Tupia Point (Malabar) | Reef | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Tyre Reef (South Maroubra) | Wall | Max 24 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Voodoo (Kurnell) | Reef | Max 28 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Wattamolla Point (Royal National Park) | Reef | Max 27 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Wedding Cake Island (North West) | Island | Max 20 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| Wedding Cake Island (South East) | Island | Max 22 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Weekly |
| Whale Watching Rockfall (Cape Solander) | Reef | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Windy Point (Cronulla) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 12 m | Open Water | Shore | Occasional |
| Xanadu Reef (Kurnell) | Wall | Max 37 m | Deep/Advanced + experience | Boat | Rare |
| Yellow Rock (Malabar) | Reef | Max 26 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Yena Gap Outer Reef | Reef | Max 23 m | Advanced Open Water | Boat | Rare |
| Yena Wall (Kurnell) | Shore/Rock Platform | Max 18 m | Advanced Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Yowie Bay Boat Ramp | Muck/Sand | Max 14 m | Open Water | Shore | Rare |
| Yowie Point (Port Hacking) | Reef | Max 14 m | Open Water | Boat | Rare |
Sydney South & Botany Bay diving FAQ
How do I get to the dive sites in Sydney South & Botany Bay?
All the shore sites are within 30 minutes of the CBD with car parks and beach or rock entries. Boat charters leave from Botany Bay, Rose Bay and Cronulla for the offshore reefs and Magic Point.
When is the best time to dive Sydney South & Botany Bay?
Year-round. Botany Bay sites work on southerly swell; Bare Island's western side is flattest on westerly winds. Winter gives the best visibility.
How many dive sites are there in Sydney South & Botany Bay?
113 documented sites, including 14 wrecks and 24 that can be dived independently from the shore. The deepest reaches 63 m.
Are there beginner dive sites in Sydney South & Botany Bay?
Yes, 16 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 Sydney South & Botany Bay?
Typically 21–24 °C in summer and 15–18 °C in winter. Most divers wear 7 mm wetsuit or semi-dry year round; 5 mm adequate Jan–Apr; hood and gloves in winter; drysuit optional Jul–Oct.
Which dive centres operate in Sydney South & Botany Bay?
Abyss Scuba Diving, Frog Dive Sydney, Pro Dive Sydney, Dive Centre Manly, Pro Dive Brookvale, Dive Centre Bondi and others are recorded as running sites in Sydney South & Botany Bay. Each site page lists the operators known to go there.
Where is the nearest recompression chamber to Sydney South & Botany Bay?
Prince of Wales Hospital Hyperbaric Unit (Randwick, Sydney). In an emergency call 000, then DAN Asia-Pacific on 1800 088 200.
Other regions in New South Wales