Balmoral Baths is a sheltered, shore-entry site in Sydney Harbour that suits new divers and snorkellers well. The water stays shallow throughout, ranging from 2 to 5 metres, and the absence of current means you can take your time exploring without fighting the water. Visibility varies, so conditions can be clear one day and murky the next. You will encounter various reef species as you move through the area. Boat traffic in the surrounding harbour is the main hazard to be aware of, so always surface with care and stay within the protected swimming area.

Chowder Bay offers one of Sydney Harbour's most rewarding shore dives, perfect if you are starting out or looking for a relaxed exploration. You can wade in from the sheltered beach and gradually work your way down a sloping reef to around 16 metres, though there is plenty to see in the shallows between 2 and 6 metres. The site mixes several dive environments in one location. You will find rocky reef, mucky patches ideal for spotting tiny creatures, and a small wreck to explore. The real draw here is the macro life. Keep your eyes sharp for seahorses clinging to sponges, decorator crabs adorned with their camouflage, and the occasional frogfish or anglerfish tucked into the reef. Pipefish drift among the kelp, octopus squeeze into crevices, and nudibranchs crawl across the rocks in surprising colours. Visibility ranges from 3 to 10 metres, which is typical for the harbour, and currents stay mild. You will share the bay with boat traffic, so surface with a safety sausage and listen for engines. The entry point can have lines and chains from moorings, so watch your depth and position to avoid entanglement. With parking, toilets, and a cafe right there, this is an easy site to visit repeatedly. Autumn through spring gives the best conditions.

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.

The T.S.S. Currajong sits on the bottom off New South Wales, offering advanced divers a wreck penetration experience in conditions that demand respect and preparation. The site reaches 26 metres at its deepest points, with visibility ranging from near zero to around 10 metres depending on conditions, so a torch is not optional. The overhead environment means divers need solid buoyancy control and a clear plan before dropping in. Boat traffic adds another layer of awareness at the surface. Various reef species have colonised the structure over time, rewarding those who take their time to look closely. January and February offer the best seasonal window.

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.

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.

Flag Staff is a shore-entry site in Tasmania that suits beginners thanks to its shallow, calm waters. You can expect to find various reef species as you explore, though visibility here is variable, so conditions can change from one visit to the next. Current is also variable, so it pays to check local conditions before you get in the water. Because visibility can be limited, this site rewards a slow, patient approach rather than covering distance. Take your time near the bottom and you will have a better chance of spotting what lives among the reef.

Green Point Reserve is a shore dive where the real reward is slowing down and looking closely. The reef runs from shallow areas down to 19 metres, giving you room to explore at a comfortable pace, though moderate current and surge mean you'll want to pick your conditions. Visibility ranges from 2 to 12 metres depending on swell and season. The site holds an impressive cast of cryptic species: pygmy pipehorses and weedy seadragons tucked into sponge gardens, frogfish sitting motionless on the reef, nudibranchs across the rocks, and octopus in the crevices. Port Jackson sharks, wobbegong sharks, and Australian giant cuttlefish round out a genuinely varied temperate reef experience.