Store Beach is one of the few places in New South Wales where you can reliably encounter fairy penguins underwater. The site sits in easy shallow waters between 5 and 10 metres, making it a comfortable choice for beginner divers. Visibility typically runs 5 to 10 metres, and the current is mild, so you won't feel pushed around. Much of the bottom is covered in seagrass beds, which is exactly the kind of habitat fairy penguins hunt in. Watch them dart through the water hunting small fish. Entry is by boat, and boat traffic in the area is an active hazard, so stay aware of your surroundings.

Fairy Bower Beach offers one of Sydney's most accessible shore dives, tucked between Manly Beach and Shelly Beach. You'll enter from a sheltered rock pool that flows into a protected marine reserve where depths range from 2 to 7 metres, perfect for building your confidence underwater. The site features a rocky reef system interwoven with kelp forests and seagrass beds. Visibility varies from 3 to 20 metres depending on conditions, but even on average days you'll spot plenty of marine life. Weedy sea dragons drift among the kelp fronds, while eastern blue gropers patrol the reef. Port Jackson sharks rest in crevices during winter months, and you might encounter wobbegong sharks camouflaged on the sandy patches. Octopuses hide among the rocks, and fiddler rays glide over the seagrass beds. Mild currents make this site manageable for newer divers, though you'll want to watch for surge near the rocks and occasional boat traffic in the bay. The rock pool provides natural protection and an easy entry point. Sea urchins populate some areas, so maintain good buoyancy. Full facilities including showers, changing rooms, toilets and a nearby cafe make this a comfortable day out.

Manly Aquarium offers a sheltered shore dive that's perfect for building your confidence in easy shallow waters. You'll spend your dive between 3 and 6 metres, exploring a protected area where visibility typically ranges from 5 to 10 metres. The mild current makes this an excellent spot to work on your buoyancy control while searching for marine life. The real draw here is the variety of creatures you can spot in relatively shallow water. Keep your eyes open for cuttlefish hovering near the bottom, their colour-changing displays mesmerising to watch. Seahorses cling to kelp and seagrass, so move slowly and look carefully. You might encounter octopus tucked into crevices, stingrays gliding across the sand, and the occasional well-camouflaged anglerfish waiting for prey. Be aware of boat traffic in the area, so stay close to shore and use a surface marker buoy if you have one. While shark sightings are possible, they're typically harmless species common to Sydney waters. The site has convenient parking and toilet facilities, making it easy to sort your gear before heading in. Best diving conditions occur during the summer and autumn months, from January through April, and again from October through December.

Quarantine Station is a gentle, sheltered dive that suits beginners well. Depths run from 3 to 16 metres, so you can stay shallow and comfortable while you build confidence. Visibility typically ranges from 4 to 10 metres, giving you enough to spot the site's highlights: seahorses and pipefish tucked among the bottom, cuttlefish drifting in open water, stingrays resting on the sand, and old wives moving in loose groups. Lionfish are present and beautiful to look at, but keep a respectful distance as their spines are venomous. Currents are mild, which makes navigation straightforward for newer divers.

Harrys Hill Beach is a shore entry site suited to beginner snorkellers and divers exploring shallow, calm waters over seagrass beds and reef. The mix of habitats draws a good variety of animals, including bream, flathead, mado, sweep, drummer, and blue groper moving through the reef areas, while octopus, sea hares, and nudibranchs reward slower, more careful searching in the seagrass. Green sea turtles visit the site too. Visibility is variable, so conditions can shift, and despite the sheltered feel, moderate currents and rip currents are present. Always check conditions before entering, and stay aware of boat traffic in the area.

Shelley Beach offers one of Sydney's most rewarding shore dives, particularly suited to those building their underwater skills. You'll walk straight into the water from the beach, descending over a rocky reef that extends from 2 to 14 metres. The mild current makes navigation straightforward, whilst visibility ranges from 3 to 15 metres depending on conditions. The real draw here is the marine life diversity. Weedy sea dragons drift amongst the kelp, their leafy appendages making them look like floating twigs. You'll frequently spot wobbegong sharks resting on the reef, their patterned bodies blending with the rocks. Eastern blue groper patrol the area, and Port Jackson sharks appear seasonally. Keep an eye out for giant cuttlefish, octopus tucking into crevices, rays gliding over the sand, and colourful nudibranchs decorating the reef. Dusky whaler sharks do visit the site, though encounters remain uncommon. Stay calm and observe from a respectful distance if you see one. The facilities make this an easy day out, with parking, toilets, showers and a cafe all available. Winter and spring (July through October) bring the best conditions and marine life activity.

Cabbage Tree Point is a shore dive off New South Wales that suits beginners well, with depths ranging from 7 to 12 metres and visibility typically between 4 and 10 metres. You can expect to encounter various reef species as you explore the site. Currents here are variable, so check conditions before you enter, and be aware that they can strengthen unexpectedly. Once in the water, watch your buoyancy around the sharp coral, as contact with it is easy to make and uncomfortable for both you and the reef. February tends to offer the most favourable conditions.

Centurion is a boat dive off New South Wales that suits beginners well, sitting at a comfortable 16 to 18 metres with mild current. Visibility swings widely, anywhere from 1 to 30 metres, so conditions vary from murky to crystal clear depending on the day. The site rewards slow, patient divers who look carefully rather than cover distance. Keep an eye out for red indian fish and pineapple fish tucked into crevices, wobbegong sharks resting flat on the bottom, and giant cuttlefish patrolling the area. Octopus, eels, and blue groupers round out the regular cast. Be aware of boat traffic overhead, surge near structures, and the possibility of reduced visibility.