Snorkelling Sites Around Sydney

Scuba diving is the ultimate underwater sports (recreation), to get close with the sharks and the underwater world. However with all the gears required and the cost involved, it is not practical on day-to-day basis.

Snorkelling is an alternative where you can also plunge deep, “equalise” the eardrums to the water pressure, get inside the cave and swim with the sharks ;-). Trust me; you can swim with sharks in the coastal areas of Sydney.

Basics of Snorkelling or Skin Diving:
As long as you know how to swim your first hurdle is over. (Even if you are not confident, you can still enjoy snorkelling with a life-vest). The Mantra is “Relax”. The chances of you getting a shark attack are rear and even if you are attacked, you will make it to the National Prime-Time News. So there is no need to panic.

What to take:
A decent silicon mask, snorkel, rash-vest and fins are the basics you need. You might want to take a one-time use underwater camera to capture the moment and make your friends and family jealous. All this should come under $100. Things like sunscreens, towel goes on without saying.

There are few places where I have enjoyed snorkelling in Sydney. I have snorkelled in more than a dozen places in Sydney and here are my top few based on the proximity to the city, getting there, visibility and marine life.

Clovelly Beach:
This is a great starting point for beginners. It is modified and largely protected from the ocean swell. It usually gets busy during summer with people practicing swimming; however you will manage to see the local Bluey (blue groper) and other marine life. It is not as exotic as other places but a nice place for an hour of snorkelling. For more experienced ones, you might want to head to nearby Gordons Bay or the rocky shore at southern end of Coogee around to Lurline Bay

Sydney Harbour:
After opening of the Middle head area (previously restricted military zone), this is one of the new attractions in the centre of Sydney harbour. There are some isolated small beaches and with a great view of Sydney skyline, harbour bridge and the Opera house. It is also an ideal picnic spot where you can also enjoy the marine life. Areas around Middle Head, Camp Cove are my favourites where you see schools of sea-horses and other colourful reef fishes.

Cabbage Tree Bay (Shelly Beach):
Cabbage Tree Bay is a Mecca for snorkelling in the heart of Sydney. You will find almost everything that you have imagined for including sharks, squid, groper, bream. garfish luderick, leatherjackets and whiting to name a few. The beach is spectacular with a view of Manly, café’s nearby and if you fancy a walk afterwards,, there is Northhead.

Ship Rock:
Though boat traffic is a problem here, it is great sanctuary with more that 100 fish species. It is one of Sydney’s oldest aquatic reserves at the entrance to Burraneer Point in Port Hacking. The line-up includes tropical pineapple fish, numbfish or electric ray, surgeonfish and red-indian fish. It is also good in bad weather.

Royal National Park:
Though it can be difficult getting here, it has around 40 kms of secluded coastal areas for snorkelling. The areas around Wattamolla Bay and Curracurang have great marine life and you can also try spearfishing. Expect to see everything from seahorses and sea urchins to big blue groper and striped luderick. This place is ideal for an overnight camping as well.

And for those of you who are bit skirmish with sand, here are the top swimming pools in Sydney:
1. North Sydney Olympic swimming pool
2. Lady Macquarie Chair swimming pool
3. Sydney Aquatic centre - Olympic Park swiming pool