Dive Site: Magic Point (the home of the Grey Nurse Shark)

General description
Home to Sydney’s grey nurse population, Magic Point is generally done as a boat dive, although some hardy divers have been known to pull it off as a shore dive (not covered here). The sharks currently number around 10 and are up to 2.5 metres in length. They dwell in two caves approximately 30 metres apart, in 15 & 16 metres of water, 100 metres from the headland.

Getting there
From a Boat GPS readings are 33° 57' 29"S 151° 15' 51"E

The Dives
When diving Magic Point, the main focus is usually on viewing the sharks. Although is possible to reach in excess of twenty metres at the site, you’d be best to stay at around the sixteen metre mark, thus extending your bottom time. There are a number of ledges leading towards the Point, ascending from 20+ metres to 16 metres, then 8. The cave is located in the latter ledge and extends for about 15 metres in an east/west direction. About 35 metres south east of this cave is a smaller overhang which can also contain grey nurse sharks.

In front of the main cave is a flat expanse, lined to the noth east with small boulders – a perfect place from which to view the sharks without disturbing them.

The most important thing to bear in mind with the grey nurse shark is it’s timidity. Once a shark has been frightened, not only will it disappear for the remainder of your dive, it will alert all the other sharks, who will promptly follow suit. Not only will this take the excitement out of your dive, the guilty party may find themselves experiencing the almost forgotten practice of keel-hauling.

Pay attention to your divemaster during the briefing, who will cover the following simple rules:

• No scuba diving betwwen sunset & sunrise
• No Blocking entrance to cave or gutters when sharks are present
• No Feeding or touching the sharks
• No chassing or harassing the sharks
• No electronic shark repelling devices or underwater scooters

Things you can see.
Grey nurse sharks! The sharks often possess an entourage of remoras (suckerfish), yellowtail and various pilot fish. Also spotted are giant cuttlefish, bull rays, moray eel, blue grouper, octopus, seadragons.

Things to be careful of. Standard boat diving protocol (covered during pre-dive briefing), keeping the sharks relaxed.

Book your dive to Magic Point