Best Freediving Locations NSW

20 Aug Best Freediving Locations NSW

Hey Freediving Family!

For those who usually watch my Vlog you have noticed that me and my family are on a freediving road trip.

I have to say I am amazed on the variety of marine life you can find along the coastline and the awesome dives you can do in Australia.

So if you feel like you are stuck in Australia, I have good news for you: you are stuck in Australia!

Erin, Ellie and myself will continue on this freediving trip around the country. So if you have any suggestions or secret spots you would like to share with the community, we are all ears!

Let’s explore together some of the incredible dive spots you can access in New South Wales to start with:

1. Cook Island Aquatic Reserve

   Located in northern NSW and just 600 m offshore from Fingal Head, Cook Island Reserve offers amazing and exciting marine life.

   Here you can find turtles, wobbegongs, shovelnoses, manta rays and even humpback whales from May to September approximately.

   It’s a cool site for fundive, snorkelling and taking pictures of the wildlife underwater. You can also find some depth if you want to train with your buddy and a buoy.

2. Julian Rocks Marine Park

   Byron Bay is a famous site in Australia but the true gem of this place for us divers is Julian Rocks Marine Park. This is one of the top diving sites in Australia for its wide variety of marine life.

   Just 2.5 km off the coast of Byron Bay you will find a marine sanctuary home to: grey nurse sharks, wobbegongs, big moray eels, blue groupers, manta rays, dolphins, turtles, leopard sharks, and also a variety of nudibranchs.

   From May to September approximately, you can also spot humpback whales on their migrating journey.

   The Marine Park is divided in several areas in which you can find a range of depth, from shallow dives at 5-12 m to 25 m at The Cray Cave.

3. Lord Howe Island Marine Park

   Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage unique destination.

   The island’s location provides a mix of warm tropical and cool temperate currents which allows over 500 different fish species, more than 90 coral species and the world’s most southerly coral reef to find a home here.

   You can also find Spanish dancers, giant fan corals, and the rare Ballina Angelfish. This is a protected species rarely seen outside the northern coast of NSW.

   Since the island is the remaining of a long-extinct shield volcano, the park offers incredible volcanic drop-offs to be explored and a wide variety of dive spots.

4. Solitary Islands Marine Park

   This marine park is one of the largest marine protected areas in NSW and it offers varied habitats.

   Such as with Lord Howe, the island’s mix of warm tropical and cool temperate currents provides a home for a large variety of marine life. In North Solitary Island you can find the largest reef fish diversity and South Solitary features over 600 molluscs and pelagic fish.

   There are plenty of diving spots to choose. And you can also do dolphin and whale watching.

5. Gordons Bay

   Compared to all the diving spots listed so far, Gordons Bay might strike to the reader as an odd choice. But it has its reasons.

   Gordons Bay is an oasis in the middle of the city. Located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, between Bondi and Coogee, the bay offers a self-guided underwater nature trail which can be explored scuba diving or snorkeling. You can also find fellow freedivers training with a buoy from time to time.

   So, if you want a break from your routine without leaving your area you can always go for a nice walk and jump into the water with your buddy.

6. Shelley Beach

   Located in Manly Beach, this is a sweet spot if you just want to snorkel and see some marine life or even do line training with buddies. A popular destination among fellow freedivers in the Sydney Freedivers and Friends FB group.

   It is also nice to have an excuse to hop on a ferry to go to Manly Beach and visit it’s cafes.

7. Jervis Bay Marine Park

   One of my latest adventures took me to Jervis Bay and I must say I was surprised by its beauty and diversity. So many cools things to do in one spot! We spearfished Kingfish, freedived with seals and in sea caves!

   Here you can find: seals, dolphins, little penguins, sea dragons, and during the season migrating whales, too.

   Check my latest vlogs to see how much fun you can have in this epic spot:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMBa87w7dig&t=345s
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxrax2Td32A&t=355s

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVRE0PEsb3g&t=36s

8. Montague Island Nature Reserve

   Did someone say seals? Again, amazing spot for it’s incredible wildlife. Pristine waters, beautiful and different seaweed, and lots of marine life.

   Here you can find a colony of fur seals, dolphins and over 90 bird species.

   We were foraging for food in this area, catching lobster and abalone and it was quite the experience. If you want to see my culinary superpower, check this video:

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV2FcaaJnOg

   After all this exploration I have to say, I’m eager to do more! It’s funny how we sometimes don’t realize the wildlife and amazing spots we have just in our backyards, so I am really grateful for this opportunity and time to give it a look under our waters.

   As the great Leon Tolstoi said: “Paint your village and you will paint the whole world”. Well, I’m applying it to the freediving world, so freedive your nearest spot and you will freedive the whole world.

   I would really love to know your suggestions or favorite freediving spots around Australia!

   Thank you once again to my Patrons on Patreon. They are the ones that make these videos possible. If you want to join you can donate whatever you’re comfortable with. 2 dollars a month, 5 dollars, 10 dollars, whatever you’re comfortable with.

   Thank you once again and I’ll see you in the water somewhere!