Little Island is a reef and cave site off New South Wales that works well for beginner divers thanks to its mild current and depths ranging from 1 to 15 metres. Visibility varies considerably, from 2 to 20 metres depending on conditions, so days with good water clarity make a real difference here. The reef supports a range of local species, and the cave adds some structural interest to the dive. Access is by boat only. Be mindful of sharp coral when hovering near the reef, watch for any loose lines or fishing debris that could cause entanglement, and stay aware of your surroundings as sharks are occasionally present.

Cabbage Tree Island offers beginner divers a rare chance to encounter grey nurse sharks in comfortable conditions. Located off the New South Wales coast, this boat dive combines several underwater environments in one site, with depths ranging from 4 to 20 metres and visibility between 1 and 15 metres. The gentle currents make it manageable for newer divers building their skills. The main attraction is the resident population of grey nurse sharks, often seen cruising along the wall or resting in gutters. You'll also spot Port Jackson sharks wedged into crevices and wobbegong sharks camouflaged against the reef. The rocky walls host sponge gardens in vibrant colours, while moray eels peer from their holes and rays glide over patches of seagrass. Keep your eyes open for smaller creatures too. Octopuses hide among the rocks, and if you look carefully in darker spots, you might find pineapplefish or the striking donut nembrotha nudibranch. Sea turtles occasionally pass through the area. The site can experience some surge, so maintain good buoyancy control and be mindful of your position relative to the reef. Winter months from May to September offer the best conditions for diving here.

The SS Oakland rests at 25 to 27 metres off the New South Wales coast, offering advanced divers a substantial wreck dive with proper overhead environment challenges. This steamship went down in 1903, and over a century of submersion has transformed her iron hull into an artificial reef supporting various reef species. The wreck sits upright and largely intact, though you'll need to carefully plan your penetration routes and manage your gas supply at this depth. Visibility ranges from 7 to 18 metres depending on conditions, giving you decent sight lines for navigation and orientation. Mild currents make the descent manageable, but the depth and overhead environments demand solid buoyancy control and wreck diving experience. The structure's age means you'll encounter weakened sections, so keep your fins up and avoid disturbing sediment. Your bottom time will be limited at this depth, so make your first dive a survey of the exterior before attempting any penetration. Various reef species have colonised the wreck, adding marine life interest to the historical structure.

Halifax Cliffs is a boat dive along the New South Wales coastline, offering reef terrain at depths of 10 to 15 metres. Visibility ranges widely from 1 to 15 metres depending on conditions, so timing your dive matters. Moderate currents run through the site and can strengthen, which keeps this one better suited to intermediate divers comfortable managing drift. The reef supports a variety of resident species typical of NSW waters. Boat traffic in the area is a genuine consideration, so maintain good buoyancy control when ascending and always surface with a delayed SMB deployed.

Bennetts Beach is a shore entry snorkelling spot in New South Wales suited to beginners looking to explore calm, shallow waters close to shore. Conditions are generally gentle, though currents can vary, so it pays to check before you get in. Visibility shifts depending on weather and swell, so you may encounter clear water one day and murkier conditions the next. Various reef species inhabit the area, giving newer snorkellers a chance to observe local marine life without venturing deep. Parking is available on site, making access straightforward.

Fingal Head is a boat-access reef site off New South Wales that rewards intermediate divers with a solid mix of elasmobranch encounters and macro life. Depths run from 5 metres on the shallower sections down to 25 metres in deeper waters, with visibility ranging from 1 to 15 metres depending on conditions. Moderate currents are common, so plan your dive around the tidal cycle. Port Jackson sharks and wobbegong sharks are regulars here, while smooth rays, eagle rays, and stingarees cruise the sandy margins. Silver batfish, moon wrasses, and butterflyfish work the reef structure, and nudibranchs and starfish reward anyone who slows down to look closely. Watch your buoyancy around sea urchins.

Jimmy's Beach is a gentle shore dive in New South Wales that suits those just getting started underwater. You enter directly from the beach into shallow water ranging from 1 to 5 metres, so there is no need to manage currents or navigate complex entry points. The site combines seagrass beds and reef, giving you two distinct habitats to explore in a single dive. Visibility can range from 1 to 15 metres depending on conditions, with the clearest water typically arriving in the summer months of January through March. Various reef species move through both the reef and seagrass areas, rewarding slow, patient swimmers.

Halifax is a versatile shore dive off New South Wales that rewards divers who take the time to work through its different zones. A shallow reef starts things off before the bottom drops away to 26 metres, where a wall and drift sections add some current-driven excitement. Visibility ranges from 3 to 15 metres depending on conditions, so timing matters. The site mixes classic reef life with genuine muck diving, which means nudibranchs, seahorses, harlequin ghost pipefish and octopus share the same dive with wobbegong sharks, blue groper, moray eels, eagle rays, cuttlefish and the increasingly hard-to-find pineapple fish. Watch for strong currents, boat traffic overhead, and sea urchins near the entry.