Manly Bommie offers an excellent introduction to boat diving off Sydney's famous northern beaches. This underwater rock formation sits between 8 and 16 metres, making it accessible for divers still building their confidence at depth. The site gets its character from the variable conditions that define Sydney diving. Visibility changes throughout the year, so you'll learn to adapt your diving skills to different water clarity. Currents vary here too, giving you real-world experience in a manageable setting. The highlight for many beginners is spotting wobbegong sharks resting on the rocky surfaces. These carpet sharks are masters of camouflage, blending into the reef with their mottled patterns. Watch for rays gliding past as well. The bommie's structure creates interesting swim-throughs and overhangs to explore as you build your navigation skills. You'll reach the site by boat, which means you'll get practice with boat entries and exits. Keep an eye out for surface traffic when ascending. The warmer months from October through April offer the most comfortable diving conditions, with water temperatures that make this site particularly welcoming for newer divers still getting used to their exposure suits.

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.

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.

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.

Bluefish Bay combines a wall and reef structure in New South Wales waters, with depths running from 5 to 22 metres in the deeper sections and visibility ranging from 5 to 25 metres depending on conditions. Mild current keeps diving relaxed, though surge can be a factor, so watch your positioning near the wall. The reef holds a strong cast of temperate Australian species: Port Jackson sharks and wobbegongs rest along the bottom, while weedy seadragons and the harder-to-spot pygmy pipehorse reward patient, slow divers. Gorgonians and sponges frame the wall, nudibranchs work their way across the structure, and eastern blue groper, red morwong, and yellowtail scad move through the water column.

Dee Why Wide sits at the outer edge of the Sydney Northern Beaches dive circuit, where depths run from 20 to 37 metres and the site earns its advanced rating through a combination of depth, moderate current, surge, and regular boat traffic overhead. Visibility swings considerably, from 5 metres on rougher days to a clean 30 metres when conditions align, so timing matters. The marine life rewards the effort: eastern blue devilfish and giant cuttlefish are the standout finds, while wobbegong and Port Jackson sharks are reliably present. Kingfish, morwong, sergeant bakers, groupers, seapike, and red rock cod round out a solid temperate assemblage. Boat charter is the only access point.

Fairlight Beach is a calm, accessible shore dive that works well for newer divers building confidence in the water. The bottom transitions through reef, kelp forest, and sandy muck patches, giving you a variety of habitats to explore in depths of 1 to 15 metres. Visibility runs 5 to 10 metres, so keep an eye out close to the bottom where wobbegong and stingrays rest in the sand, and nudibranchs cling to reef surfaces. Port Jackson sharks are a regular find, particularly tucked into crevices. Current is mild, but watch for boat traffic on the surface and stay aware that visibility can drop on certain days.