Exploring Sydney’s Underwater Wonderland: A Guide to Snorkelling Hotspots

Sydney is home to plenty of incredibly diverse marine oases that would excite even the most seasoned snorkelers.

Contrary to popular belief – colourful reef fishes, rays and turtles (just to name a few favourites!) can all be found on the temperate reefs encrusting Sydney’s

underwater coastline.

Rocky reefs are distinct from tropical coral reefs as they are found at the interface between

warm tropical and cool southern waters. At the nexus of these ocean currents, you will find

some exquisite and unique marine life, many of which are endemic to Australia.

In this guide, you will find a collection of some of the best snorkelling sites in Sydney for you

to explore this summer!

1. SNORKELLING AT CABBAGE TREE BAY, MANLY

Accessible via Shelly Beach, Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve offers a fantastic snorkelling experience. It begins at the southern end of Manly Beach and stretches through to the Shelly Beach headland. This reserve has been protected for over twenty years and the abundance of marine life flourishing here can be attributed to this. This site offers rocky reefs, kelp forests and lush seagrass beds for you to discover.

What you might encounter:

Over 150 species of marine fish can be found in Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.

Common temperate species you may see include the crimsonband wrasse, eastern hulafish

and mado – all of which are endemic to Australian waters. Keep an eye out for colourful

tropical reef fishes and green sea turtles in the summer months that have travelled down the

coast in the East Australian Current (EAC). Look out for azure blue-coloured neon

damselfishes and moorish idols (aka Gill from Disney’s Finding Nemo!).

Permanent residents of this reserve include the iconic and very friendly eastern blue groper,

cuttlefish, wobbegong sharks, Port Jackson sharks and eagle rays. If you’re lucky, you might

see transient juvenile dusky whalers, which make appearances in the first half of the year.

If you are an ultra-keen underwater explorer, keep a keen eye out for common seadragons

sheltering amongst the kelp forests, elegant wrasses and black rock cods. These species

are protected under NSW legislation and a treat to witness in the wild.

Getting there:

You can park at Shelly Beach, hop off the bus at Darley Rd opp Marshall St or walk via the

Manly to Shelly Beach coastal walk. The calmest waters are found in the sheltered bay

nestled between the Fairy Bower Sea Pool and Shelly Beach headland.

For more information about this reserve, visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/marine-

protected-areas/aquatic-reserves/cabbage-tree-bay-aquatic-reserve

2. CLOVELLY BEACH, CLOVELLY

The Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve has also been protected for over twenty years and covers the area from north Coogee Beach to south Bronte Beach. Clovelly Beach is the easiest access point to the reserve and the most ideal location for snorkelling as it is sheltered from strong currents.

What you might encounter:

Despite the fact the Clovelly Beach site is bordered by concrete, you will be pleasantly

surprised by the diversity of marine life within the calm channel. You will see inquisitive eastern blue groper (the females and juveniles are green!), common toadfishes, black reef

leatherjackets, luderick, the exquisite southern maori wrasse and many other species of marine fishes.

Hiding in the rock walls you can find eastern rock lobster, southern rock lobster, blacklip

abalone, wobbegongs, octopus, moray eels and shrimp. Common stingarees, eastern fiddler

rays and soles are cryptic and difficult to spot. If you observe closely, you will see them

resting on the sandy seafloor.

Getting there:

You can park at the end of Clovelly Road, hop off the bus at Clovelly Road bus stop or take a

detour off the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Clovelly Bay pool is easily accessible directly

from the beach or from the ladders descending from the concrete platforms. Snorkelling here

is generally good year-round.

For more information about this reserve, visit: https://www.dp i.nsw.gov.au/fishing/marine-

protected-areas/aquatic-reserves/bronte-coogee-aquatic-reserve

3. GORDON’S BAY, COOGEE

Also located within the Bronte-Coogee Aquatic Reserve, is Gordon’s Bay. Gordon’s Bay is a good site to visit when conditions are favourable. However, it is susceptible to poorer visibility and strong currents during swells.

What you might encounter:

Within the seaweed and kelp gardens at Gordon’s Bay, you can expect to see temperate fishes including red morwongs, snakeskin wrasses, old wives, white-ear scalyfins and eastern blue groper. You may also swim over wobbegong sharks, Port Jackson sharks, eastern fiddler rays and common stingarees.

Getting there:

This beach is the best entry point, however, is only accessible via a detour from the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. When snorkelling at Gordon’s Bay, swim out over the shallows and adhere to the rocky reefs along the perimeter of the bay. Avoid snorkelling here if the conditions are poor.

4. BARE ISLAND

For something a little more thrilling than simply snorkelling offshore, look no further than Bare Island. This tiny island is situated at the entrance to Botany Bay. It not only offers an impressive array of marine life, but also an epic fort from the late 1800’s and one of the film locations from Mission: Impossible II. The conditions at this snorkel and dive site are usually calm.

What you might encounter:

On the sheltered side of the island (west), you will be welcomed by interesting and colourful sponge gardens. Keep a close eye on the gently swaying sponges and sea tulips where you can see seahorses, seadragons, pipefishes, starfishes, nudibranchs, and pygmy leatherjackets, sheltered among them.

On the more exposed (eastern) side of the island, there are plenty of rocky outcrops and

reefs to be explored. These harbour some of the larger marine fishes, cuttlefish, sharks and

rays. Some unique species you may see here include the eastern blue devilfish,

pineapplefishes and the bright crimson, red indianfishes. If you’re lucky, you may even spot

a marine turtle or two. In the winter months, you will be rewarded by plenty of Port Jackson

sharks that aggregate here to breed (that is if you are brave enough to face the chilly

water!).

Getting there:

Parking is available on Anzac Parade. If you prefer public transport, Anzac Pde bus stop is

close by. Bare Island is accessible from the mainland suburb of La Perouse by a timber

footbridge. Once on the island, you can access the water via the boat ramp. Alternatively,

you can head down to Congwong Beach and swim out over the sandy seabed and seagrass

to the rocky reefs. Aim to snorkel here at high tide, the visibility will be at its best!

5. PALM BEACH

Some brilliant snorkelling can be found on the eastern (surf) side of the Palm Beach

peninsula. The calm waters of Pittwater are found on the western side and at the

northernmost point is the Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse.

What you might encounter:

At the southern end of the beach, swim out over the sandy seabeds beyond the rockpool. Soon you will find large rocky outcrops, boulders, seagrass beds and kelp forests within clear, shallow water - perfect for snorkelling. Look in the crevices and caves among the rock formations for cuttlefish and octopuses. On the seafloor, you will come across plenty of giant,

smooth stingrays that are interesting to watch.

Getting there:

Parking is available at Palm Beach, or you can choose to get off at the bus stop (Ocean Rd

at Palm Beach Rd). Walk to the southern end of Palm Beach, and swim out over the sandy

seabeds until you reach the seagrass beds and rocky outcrops.

There are plenty of captivating marine species to find at these snorkelling spots, so

grab a mask and pair of fins and jump in!

If you want to check out more snorkelling hotspots, simply use the "snorkelling" filter on the search engine.

Jasmine x