New South Wales dive sites
Australia · Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions.
Best Season
October to May, Year-round, October-May, October to June, September-May, January-June
Skill Levels
beginner, all-levels, advanced, intermediate
Nearby Cities
Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, Lord Howe Island, Narooma, Sydney
All dive sites
reefClovelly Beach
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
A sheltered ocean pool and rocky reef shore dive in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs where blue gropers, wobbegong sharks, and octopus provide exceptional macro encounters within a protected aquatic reserve.
reefJulian Rocks
Byron Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Where tropical and temperate currents collide at a volcanic rock outcrop, drawing leopard sharks, manta rays, turtles, and grey nurse sharks to Byron Bay's marine park.
pinnacleLord Howe Island - Ball's Pyramid
Lord Howe Island · New South Wales · Australia
The world's tallest volcanic sea stack, where Galapagos-like marine life, endemic species, and crystal visibility create one of Australia's most exclusive dives.
reefMontague Island
Narooma · New South Wales · Australia
A temperate island reserve off the NSW south coast where grey nurse sharks, fur seals, and weedy sea dragons inhabit rich kelp forests.
Montague Island Grey Nurse Shark Gutters
Narooma · New South Wales · Australia
Surge channels and rocky gutters on Montague Island's western face where critically endangered grey nurse sharks aggregate in dense groups year-round, hovering motionless among boulders alongside wobbegong sharks and enormous bull rays.
reefNed's Beach
Lord Howe Island · New South Wales · Australia
A sheltered beach on Lord Howe Island's east coast where the world's southernmost coral reef meets a crystal-clear lagoon, and fearless endemic fish swarm snorkelers and divers in water shallow enough for beginners.
reefSolitary Islands Marine Park
Coffs Harbour · New South Wales · Australia
A marine park off Coffs Harbour where tropical and temperate ocean currents collide, creating one of Australia's most biodiverse underwater environments with an extraordinary mix of grey nurse sharks, manta rays, tropical fish, and temperate species.
Dive centers in New South Wales
Byron Bay Dive Centre
Byron Bay · New South Wales · Australia
The only dive centre in Byron Bay offering both SSI and PADI certifications. Boat dives and snorkelling trips to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve in Cape Byron Marine Park. Also known as Turtle School.
Sundive Byron Bay
Byron Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Byron Bay's only PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, established in 1988. Internationally recognized for excellence in diver training. Three daily boat trips to Julian Rocks Marine Reserve aboard custom rigid hull inflatable boats.
Jetty Dive Centre
Coffs Harbour · New South Wales · Australia
Family-owned PADI 5 Star IDC and Eco Centre with 30+ years in Coffs Harbour. Daily dive and snorkel charters to the Solitary Islands Marine Park aboard custom vessels MegaWild and 2Wild. Also offers whale watching and humpback whale swims.
Dive Lord Howe
Lord Howe Island · New South Wales · Australia
PADI 5 Star Dive Resort on Lord Howe Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The only dive boat surveyed to dive Ball's Pyramid. Custom-built MV Pinnacle caters for up to 12 divers. Open September to May.
Feet First Dive
Nelson Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Port Stephens pro dive shop offering PADI, SSI, and SDI training. Full-service centre with guided shore and boat dives, night dives, nitrox fills, private charters, snorkel tours, equipment sales and servicing.
Let's Go Adventures
Nelson Bay · New South Wales · Australia
Port Stephens' only PADI 5 Star IDC Centre and authorised TecRec facility. Nelson Bay's longest-established diving centre with two fully surveyed dive boats. Renowned for grey nurse shark encounters at Broughton Island.
Fish Rock Dive Centre
South West Rocks · New South Wales · Australia
Australia's first PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Resort, operating since 1987. Home to Fish Rock Cave, Australia's only true ocean cave dive at 125 metres long. Daily double-dive charters on three fast purpose-built vessels. On-site accommodation and pool.
Abyss Scuba Diving
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
The only PADI Career Development Centre (CDC) in NSW and recipient of the PADI Platinum Dive Centre Award. Family-owned since 2000, offering world-class scuba training, guided shore and boat dives, freediving, and DPV rental.
Dive Centre Bondi
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
PADI 5 Star IDC Centre located minutes from Bondi Beach. One of Sydney's largest dive training facilities offering courses from Open Water to Instructor and Technical diving, with air, nitrox and trimix fills.
Dive Centre Manly
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Multi-award-winning PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre in Manly since 1993. Complete range of dive courses, guided boat and shore dives, and nitrox fills, just a short ferry ride from Sydney CBD.
Frog Dive
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
One of Sydney's oldest dive shops, established in 1985. PADI 5 Star IDC Centre offering courses from Open Water to Instructor, technical diving, freediving, spearfishing, and kids' programs with max 8 students per class.
Pro Dive Sydney - Alexandria
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Sydney's longest-running dive operator with over 55 years of experience. Offers learn-to-dive courses, advanced training, Divemaster and Instructor programs, weekly boat and shore dives, and gear servicing from their Alexandria location.
Pro Dive Sydney - Manly
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Pro Dive's Northern Beaches location in Brookvale, offering the full range of PADI courses, weekly double boat dives, shore dives at Shelly Beach and the Northern Beaches, nitrox, and gear servicing.
Southern Cross Divers
Sydney · New South Wales · Australia
Boutique dive centre at Spit Marina, Mosman, established in 1993. Specializes in advanced diving training with two dive boats, a pool for confined water training, and convenient access to Sydney Harbour wreck dives.
PRO DIVE Sydney
St Peters NSW 2044 · New South Wales · Australia
Expedition Dive
Sydney NSW 2000 · New South Wales · Australia
Frog Dive Scuba Centres
Gladesville NSW 2111 · New South Wales · Australia
Adreno Ocean Outfitters
Alexandria NSW 2015 · New South Wales · Australia
Immersia Freediving
Bondi NSW 2026 · New South Wales · Australia
Infinity Dive
Chatswood NSW 2067 · New South Wales · Australia
Shark Dive Xtreme
Sydney NSW 2000 · New South Wales · Australia
Underwater Dive Services
Balmain NSW 2041 · New South Wales · Australia
Scuba Warehouse
Clyde NSW 2142 · New South Wales · Australia
Sydney Dive Charters
Rose Bay NSW 2029 · New South Wales · Australia
Sea Service Diving and Marine
Rozelle NSW 2039 · New South Wales · Australia
Dive Adventures
Sydney NSW 2000 · New South Wales · Australia
Adventure Freedivers
Cronulla NSW 2230 · New South Wales · Australia
Ocean Instinct Freediving
Brookvale NSW 2100 · New South Wales · Australia
Diving in New South Wales
New South Wales offers reef, pinnacle dive sites across 5 locations. Browse dive locations by depth, type and conditions before planning your dive.
FAQ
How do I enter the water at Clovelly Beach?
Clovelly Beach has one of Sydney's easiest shore entries for scuba diving. The main entry point is via the concrete boat ramp on the southern side of the narrow bay. Divers can gear up on the flat area beside the ramp and walk into the water carrying their equipment. The bay is sheltered from most swells, and the entry is calm even when nearby beaches are rough. An alternative entry is from the ocean pool at the southern end, which provides a zero-surf entry but requires climbing steps with full gear. Most divers enter from the ramp, swim south along the reef wall, and exit at the same point. Parking is available along Clovelly Road but fills quickly on weekends.
What is the best time of day and year to dive Clovelly?
Early morning dives on weekdays offer the best conditions with fewer snorkellers and swimmers sharing the water. The austral spring and summer from October to May provide the warmest water temperatures and best visibility, with January to March typically offering the clearest conditions. Winter diving from June to September is possible and brings different marine life including Port Jackson sharks that use the bay for breeding, but water temperatures drop to sixteen degrees and require thick wetsuits or dry suits. The site is diveable in most weather conditions due to its sheltered bay configuration, though heavy east swells can reduce visibility significantly.
Is Clovelly suitable for new divers and training?
Clovelly is one of Sydney's premier training sites for good reason. The maximum depth of around twelve metres keeps all activities within shallow limits, the protected bay eliminates surf entry concerns, and the abundant marine life maintains student interest throughout the dive. Many Sydney dive schools conduct Open Water certification dives here. The gentle bottom gradient allows easy depth control, and the reef walls of the narrow bay provide natural navigation references. Snorkellers frequently share the bay, so divers should carry surface marker buoys and maintain awareness during ascents. The site's only limitation for training is space: on busy summer weekends, multiple dive groups can create crowding on the narrow reef.
What is the best season to dive Julian Rocks in Byron Bay?
Julian Rocks offers year-round diving with different highlights each season. From November to May, warm East Australian Current waters bring leopard sharks, manta rays, and tropical fish species. From June to October, cooler waters attract grey nurse sharks in impressive aggregations. Turtles, wobbegong sharks, and a vast array of reef fish are present year-round. This seasonal variety makes Julian Rocks one of Australia's most rewarding dive sites regardless of when you visit.
How long does it take to reach Julian Rocks from Byron Bay?
Julian Rocks lies just 2.5 kilometres offshore from Cape Byron, making it a quick 5-10 minute boat ride from the main beach. Multiple dive operators in Byron Bay run two-dive morning trips daily, weather permitting. The short boat ride means minimal transit time and maximum dive time, and conditions are generally calmest in the morning before the afternoon sea breeze picks up.