Snorkelling, Lord Howe IslandCredit: Destination NSW
Woman snorkelling off Lord Howe Island.
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There are hundreds of fantastic diving and snorkelling spots along the coastlines of New South Wales. Among them are a handful of spectacular shallow sites that are ideal for both diving and snorkelling — perfect for divers with travelling companions who prefer to snorkel while you scuba (or vice versa). Here are five of the most iconic spots, and how to experience them.
Montague Island, South Coast
Just 9km (around a 20-minute boat ride) from Narooma on the NSW South Coast, Montague Island is renowned for its fur seal colon. You can scuba dive and snorkel with these curious creatures in shallow waters surrounding the island year-round. Underwater Safaris specialises in snorkelling and diving tours to the island; you can also combine seal snorkelling and an island tour with Montague Island Adventures or Island Charters Narooma. As well as seals, snorkellers and divers might also spot some of the large bull rays and Port Jackson sharks that hang out among the seals. From November to April, scuba divers can also spot grey nurse sharks on deeper dives.
Conditions and accessibility: Montague Island is a boat dive/snorkel, with visibility ranging from 10–40m. The water temperature drops to around 16°C in winter, with suitable wetsuits supplied.
Shelly Beach, Sydney
At Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the calm, shallow waters surrounding Shelly Beach, part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, are a magnet for snorkellers and divers. Giant cuttlefish are often spotted here, particularly during their winter breeding season. From August to September, Shelly Beach also acts as a nursery for baby dusky whaler sharks, while octopus, eagle rays and wobbegong sharks are seen throughout the year. Dive Centre Manly runs snorkelling and diving tours to the site, while Pro Dive Manly focusses on dive tours and courses; Shelly Beach is one of the most popular places in Sydney to get Open Water Diver certified.
Conditions and accessibility: Shelly Beach is a shore dive/snorkel, with an average visibility of 8–10m. This is fine for the shallow site, which reaches a maximum depth of 12m.
Manly Underwater Experience Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoy a memorable underwater experience in Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve, Manly.
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Manly Underwater Experience Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
Enjoy a memorable underwater experience in Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve, Manly.
Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Fur seals swimming around Montague Island, Narooma.
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Montague Island, Narooma Credit: Destination NSW
Fur seals swimming around Montague Island, Narooma.
Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Yellowtail fish swimming in Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly.
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Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly Credit: Destination NSW
Yellowtail fish swimming in Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly.
Cook Island, Tweed Heads
In the far northeastern corner of NSW, less than 1km off Fingal Head, Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is a haven for turtles (particularly green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles), so you can expect to see at least a few during a typical snorkel or dive. There are also a range of anemone fish and other tropical fish species, corals and rays to be spotted. Watersports Guru runs up to three snorkelling tours daily, and Tweed Sea Sports runs morning dives.
Conditions and accessibility: Visibility at Cook Island is typically around 15m. All sites are accessed by boat, with snorkelling sessions conducted along a coral ledge where turtles hang out; divers can explore beyond the wall, which drops off to around 20m.
Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli), Byron Bay
Julian Rocks, or Nguthungulli in the Bundjalung Aboriginal language, is a rocky outcrop located 2.5km offshore from Byron Bay on the NSW North Coast. The convergence of the East Australian Current with cooler waters from the south attracts an incredibly diverse array of species to its shallow temperate reefs, from tropical fish to numerous turtle, shark and ray species, as well as corals. Byron Bay Dive Centre and Sundive run daily trips; both also offer snorkelling tours and dive courses.
Conditions and accessibility: Julian Rocks is a boat dive with an average visibility of 15m, perfect for snorkelling at the shallowest site called The Nursery, which ranges from 5–12m. The maximum diving depth is 21m at the Cod Hole, a swim-through full of marine life.
Lord Howe Island
With more than 100 dive sites to choose from, Lord Howe Island, less than two hours’ flight from Sydney, is a scuba diver’s paradise. However, many of the island’s shallower dive spots, which support a wide variety of tropical and temperate species brought on converging currents, are also great for snorkelling. Chief among them is The Lagoon, on the western side of the island, where you can expect to see everything from anemones to lionfish, slipper crayfish to the rare Coleman’s pygmy seahorse. Pro Dive Lord Howe Island runs snorkelling and diving tours around the island.
Conditions and accessibility: Snorkellers can swim out from The Lagoon and Ned’s Beach to explore shallow coral reefs, or sign up for an outer reef snorkelling tour by boat alongside more experienced divers. The depth within the lagoon ranges from 5–10m, with an average visibility of 10m. The visibility increases to a maximum of 40m on the outer reef.
Tweed Heads Underwater Experience Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
Some of the outstanding aquatic experiences on offer in the Tweed region of NSW.
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Tweed Heads Underwater Experience Highlight Selects Credit: Destination NSW
Some of the outstanding aquatic experiences on offer in the Tweed region of NSW.
Julian Rocks, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Scuba diver exploring the soft coral fans at the Julian Rocks dive site in Byron. Bay.
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Julian Rocks, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Scuba diver exploring the soft coral fans at the Julian Rocks dive site in Byron. Bay.
Newcastle Memorial Walk, NewcastleCredit: Destination NSW
The scenic coastline of the city of Newcastle with views of Merewether beach.
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Golden beaches, postcard-perfect ocean pools, a busy harbour and intriguing history make New South Wales’ second-largest city, Newcastle, a favourite travel destination just 170km north of Sydney. It’s also the gateway to some of the state’s best wines, 50km northwest in the Hunter region, and yet more beaches and whale-watching waters in Port Stephens, 60km to the northeast. Regardless of whether you’re a gourmand, adventure enthusiast or lover of luxury, here is a guide to discovering Newcastle— and beyond.
Newcastle
Take a dip in Bogey Hole: There are more than 100 ocean baths across New South Wales, but none are quite as enticing— or important— as Newcastle’s Bogey Hole. Thought to be the oldest of its kind in Australia, this sea-fed pool was cut into the rocks off Shepherds Hill by convicts in 1819. Splash about in the turquoise water, or soak up views of the coastline from any number of cliffside perches; just arrive early in summer, as it’s a popular place to cool off.
Get cultural in Cooks Hill: The inner-city neighbourhood of Cooks Hill is distinguished by its lovely leafy streets, lined with grand Victorian mansions and timber cottages home to some of the city’s most happening restaurants, bars and cafes. In between you’ll discover the Newcastle Art Gallery (with a collection of more than 6,000 works), bookshops and independent galleries. Small wonder it draws an eclectic crowd.
Explore the Honeysuckle precinct: Once a busy industrial area, the Honeysuckle precinct has been reinvented as Newcastle’s hippest waterfront hangout. Many visit to walk, cycle or rollerblade along foreshore promenades— many more arrive to gaze over the busy harbour from buzzing restaurants and bars. You’ll also find the Newcastle Museum here, hosting an exciting calendar of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Stay a stone’s throw from the ocean as well as the city’s attractions at Novotel Newcastle Beach, featuring contemporary and well-appointed guestrooms and modern Australian dining at Bistro Dalby.
Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
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Newcastle Highlights Credit: Destination NSW
Newcastle is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
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Camel Riding, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Sunset camel riding experience with in Anna Bay, Port Stephens.
Port Stephens
Cruise out to see whales: Every year between May and November, more than 25,000 humpback and southern right whales steam up and down Australia’s east coast on their annual migration. While you’ll likely spot them breaching and blowing from the shore (the headland in Tomaree National Park is an ideal lookout), there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as getting within a flipper of these majestic creatures on a cruise— there are a number of Port Stephens operators to choose from.
Stay and dine at Bannisters: The retro Salamander Shores motel was a Port Stephens icon for decades— it’s been reborn as Bannisters Port Stephens, its 80 barefoot-luxe rooms and suites done up in a coastal palette of blue and white. Slide into the infinity pool overlooking the glittering bay, dine on fresh seafood by celebrated chef Rick Stein or explore the national parkland and crystal-clear waterways that characterise the Port Stephens region.
Discover the sand dunes: The longest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, the Stockton Sand Dunes reach heights of more than 40 metres, their steep sides often hitting an incline of 60 degrees. Speed freaks will want to sign up for dune surfing or a quad-bike tour, while more leisurely ways to explore the area include camel rides and cultural tours, visiting ancient Aboriginal sites while learning about bush foods.
Hunter Valley
More than 6,000 trees, 60,000 shrubs, and a million other plants and bulbs create a floral wonderland at the Hunter Valley Gardens. Across the 14 hectares there are 8km of walking trails, leading to cool waterfalls and themed areas, including an Italian grotto and the Storybook Garden, taking you on a journey through childhood fantasies. After wandering the grounds, pop in to Harrigan’s Irish-themed bistro for a glass of Hunter Valley wine and the signature beef-and-Guinness pot pie.
Stay and dine at Spicers Guesthouse: Set in the heart of the Hunter Valley— arguably the state’s premier wine region— Spicers Guesthouse is the ultimate country retreat, from the elegant manor house to the stylish rooms. After a day hopping between cellar doors, return for a dip in the infinity pool overlooking native bushland, and a meal at modern-Italian éRemo Restaurant, its menu showcasing the region’s finest producers.
Take a tour: Leave your car behind at your hotel and explore the Hunter Valley’s top wineries on a bespoke tour. The range of offerings is diverse, from chauffeured vintage vehicles cruising between cellar doors— perhaps with an indulgent lunch included— to soaring above the vines at sunrise in a hot-air balloon, with a champagne breakfast when you touch down.
Note: The Newcastle Art Gallery is currently closed for major refurbishments and will reopen in 2024.
Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
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Zenith Beach, Port Stephens Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a walk along Zenith Beach, Port Stephens.
Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.
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Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial overlooking the manicured hedges of the Border Garden located in the Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin.