Scuba diving in New South Wales, Australia
New South Wales (NSW) is a state in southeastern Australia with a long coastline and plenty of opportunities for scuba diving. From the southern coast near Victoria to the northern border with Queensland, there are numerous dive sites with diverse marine life and underwater landscapes.
Best scuba diving spots for experienced divers:
- Fish Rock Cave: located near South West Rocks, Fish Rock Cave is a unique dive site featuring a cave system that is home to abundant marine life, including grey nurse sharks, turtles, and rays.
- Julian Rocks: situated off the coast of Byron Bay, Julian Rocks is a marine reserve with a mix of tropical and temperate species, such as leopard sharks, manta rays, and turtles.
- Lord Howe Island: a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 600km east of Port Macquarie, Lord Howe Island offers a range of dive sites with excellent visibility, colorful coral gardens, and diverse fish species, including the endemic double-header wrasse.
Best scuba diving spots for beginners:
- Camp Cove: situated in Sydney Harbour, Camp Cove is an easy dive site with a sandy bottom, seagrass meadows, and plenty of fish species, such as yellowtail and seahorses.
- Bare Island: located near La Perouse in Botany Bay, Bare Island is a popular spot for introductory dives due to its calm waters and abundant marine life, including blue gropers, octopus, and cuttlefish.
- Shelly Beach: situated in Manly, Shelly Beach is a sheltered bay with a sandy bottom and a rocky reef that is home to colorful fish and invertebrates, such as starfish, anemones, and nudibranchs.
Marine life:
The marine life in NSW waters is diverse and includes tropical and temperate species. Some of the common fish species include snapper, bream, trevally, and kingfish, as well as sharks, rays, and turtles. The underwater landscapes range from rocky reefs and kelp forests to sandy bottoms and seagrass meadows, offering a variety of habitats for different marine organisms.
Dive conditions:
The dive conditions in NSW can vary depending on the location and the season. Water temperatures range from 18°C in winter to 26°C in summer, and visibility can be affected by currents and weather conditions. It is recommended to dive with a wetsuit, as the water can be cold even in summer.
Cost:
The cost of scuba diving in NSW can vary depending on the dive site, the operator, and the equipment rental. Introductory dives typically cost around AUD 150-200, while certified divers can expect to pay around AUD 80-120 for a single dive, with discounts for multiple dives or packages. Equipment rental can add another AUD 50-100 per dive, depending on the gear needed.
