Sydney Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving Sydney

DRAGONS

This is one of our favorite dive sites. Interesting rock formations give way to kelp gardens at about 10 metres, which extend to the sand line at about the 14 metre mark. It's along this sand line that you'll find some of the prettiest sponges and ascidians in every imaginable color. Look closely around the sponges and you might see a brightly colored nudibranch. A large family of blue groper (Blue Wrasse) also inhabit the area. The most famous member of the family here is the common or weedy sea dragon. These are members of the seahorse family but unlike anything you have seen before. A fantastic dive.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER.

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VALIANT

Our most popular dive. Great scuba diving! A 22 metre coastal tug that sunk in 1981, the Valiant is the most accessible wreck on the N.S.W. coast. Originally purchased as a source of spare parts for her sister ship, she was ordered out of Pittwater when the owners damaged the hull while stripping her. They managed to get the Valiant about 1.2 kilometres off shore before she slipped her tow rope and sank, stern first. It took Mike Buesnel, the owner of Atlantis Dive Resort, 3 weeks to find her up right on the sand, in 27 metres of water. Because there is nothing else around, the Valiant has become an artificial reef and attracts a huge amount of fish. At times, the wreck is obscured by huge schools of Mackerel. Mado's, Bullseye's, Lined catfish, Golden Morays, Sargent Baker, Kingfish, the list of fish is endless. Great sponge and coral growth is ideal for photography. Divers may penetrate the wreck, swimming through the bridge, check out the engine room or have a look at the crew quarters. A close inspection of the warped deck near the stern is testament to the force with which she hit the bottom. Even though the depth makes this dive beyond the reach of Open water divers, Atlantis Dive Resort will conduct a guided tour with an instructor for open water divers. Bookings for this service are essential.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED ADVANCED OR OPEN WATER WITH AN INSTURCTOR.

Valiant

TRAWLERS REEF

Flat shelving reef from 30 metres to about 45 metres. This area is still under exploration. Some beautiful deep water sponges and lot's of Kingfish, along with Mowong, Yellowtail, and Port Jackson's. Sand gutters run off in all directions, giving this place the feel of a lost city. The reef is about 500 metres out from the northern point of Avalon. A very pretty dive.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED ADVANCED.

SPONGE GARDENS

The Sponge Gardens cover a large area off Barrenjoey in approximately 18 metres of water. It contains large schooling Kingfish, numerous variety of sponges and georgonias, and many colourful Nudibranchs.

Atlantis Reef

The reef depth ranges from 22 metres down to 26 metres with drop offs and small bommeys, georgnia and lace bryozoan. The Blue Devil Fish is also found on this reef.

OVENS

Large rocks and bommies litter the bottom here at the Ovens. Swim thru's and overhangs, lot's of interesting formations and heaps of fish. Stories abound of fisherman catching marlin and tuna from this point. If conditions are flat (prevailing westerlies) you can get in close and dive the amazing caves and tunnels that riddle the cliff face. Depth ranges of 6 to 16 metres.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER.

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PINNACLES

Three large rock pinnacles rise up from 18 metres to almost break the surface. Lots of fish action, great swim thru's, a fantastic dive to explore. Kingfish, Blue groper (blue wrasse), huge schools of yellowtail mackerel. Bullseye's and Common Roughies inhabit the overhangs in this area. Look out for Cuttlefish during the season, as well as lots of sand dwelling critters around the base of the rocks. Because of its exposed position, this dive can be subject to currents and swell.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER

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HOLE IN THE WALL

A fantastic dive! Situated off the headland of North Avalon, lots of rock bommies rise towards the surface, some breaking during heavy weather. The highlight of this dive is the swim thru. Under the largest bommie, closest to the shore, is a huge cavern, which is open at both ends and is always teeming with fish. This is a great exploration dive, with swim thrus and caverns being added to the list every time we dive it. Like the Pinnacle's, Hole in the wall is subject to currents and swells. A "must do" dive. Depth 18 metres.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER
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BENGALLY

Swim thru's, overhangs and interesting formations are the highlight of this dive. Huge rocks have fallen from the cliff face above, giving you the chance to dive great walls, some of them 15 metres high. Lots of jewel anemones on the rocks and sea tulips in the shallower water. Dragons have been spotted along the sand line at 18 metres. Some nice sponges and Bi-valves are to be found in 14 metres, to the south. Giant Bull rays, with a wing span of 2 and a half metres are also common visitors. The mowong hole, an overhang in about 12 metres, is the home of up to one dozen big mowong, some up to 3 kilo's in size. While you are swimming around, keep an eye out under the overhangs for the friendly resident Wobbegong, about 2 and a half metres long. A great dive.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER

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BIRCHGROVE PARK

The "Birchy" is a collier of 640 tonnes that went down during a southerly gale in 1956. From a crew of 14 who sailed with her, only 4 survived. This is one of the few "true" ship wrecks off the northern coast of Sydney. She sits on the sand in 49 metres of water.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED DEEP OR BETTER.

EQUIP. REQUIRED(MIN) MAIN GAS CAPACITY -100CUFT REDUNDANT -30CUFT

COMMODORE

A fantastic macro dive, this dive is one for those who like to take their time and look. Lot's of sponges and other small life; pigmy kelp forests provide shelter for an amazing array of fish life. Lot's of overhangs and small caves are also home to octopus, crabs, fish, shells and crustaceans. A shallow dive with the average depth of 10 metres or shallower, this is a great dive for all comers. Makes an excellent night dive.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER.

HIMMA

One of the wrecks of Long Reef, an artificial reef sunk to attract fish to the area. The Himma was an ocean going tug that was sunk in 1978. A great dive if you've been bitten by the rust bug! The wreck may be penetrated but caution must be exercised and divers should be properly qualified as this wreck has claimed lives. Depth is 45 metres.
CERT LEVEL REQUIRED DEEP OR BETTER
EQUIP. REQUIRED(MIN) MAIN GAS CAPACITY 100CUFT REDUNDANT 30CUFT [IMAGE]

MEGGOL

Sitting in 45 metres of water off long reef is the wreck of the Meggol. A closer look at the hull will reveal a long and chequered history. The Meggol began life in 1919 as HMS WEXFORD, a unit of the later designated Hunt Class Minesweepers. She was decommissioned in 1921 and sold to an Australian concern, which refitted her as a cruise ship,renamed her the SS Doomba. She worked on the run from Brisbane to Moreton Island. In 1939 she was taken over by the RAN, quickly modified once more and was pressed into service as a coastal minesweeper for the duration of the second world war. She was paid off in 1946 and was sold to the breakers in 1947. She was stripped of all fittings and put to work from 1950 to 1970 as a mobile and then stationary oil barge by her new owners, Meggitt Ltd. She was once again sold to the breakers in 1970 and was cut down at Homebush Bay. The hulk MEGGOL (ex HMAS Doomba, ex SS Doomba, ex HMS Wexford) was scuttled on Dec 9, 1976.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED DEEP OR BETTER
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED(MIN) MAIN GAS CAPACITY 100CUFT

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RAINBOW REEF

This reef is an extension of the reef that runs East/West along the northern side of Barrenjoey Headland. The reef is shallow (12 metres) with kelp and sponge growth, small caves and overhangs teeming with Bullseye's and mado's. Leatherjackets also inhabit the area with sightings of Toothbrush, Rough, Chinaman, Fantail, Six-spined, Yellow-finned and Beautiful leatherjackets. A nice easy dive for beginners.
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER

SOUTH PALM BEACH

What is arguably one of the easiest and prettiest shore dives in Sydney. This is a fantastic dive day or night. Shallow depths (10 metres max) ensure a good bottom time to see everything! Blue groper (blue wrasse) will follow you throughout the dive looking for a hand out, lot's of fish life, Comb wrasse, Crimson-banded wrasse, Yellow green wrasse, Mackerel, Kingfish, Cuttlefish, the list goes on!
CERT. LEVEL REQUIRED OPEN WATER.

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