Dive Site: Sutherland Point
Home of the Seadragon

Kurnell National Park.

Type of Dive		Shore
Max Depth		12 m
Experience Level		Open Water If you wich to see seadragons this is the Place to dive
Best Time		Slack, but can be done anytime
Caution		Channelled bedrock near exit can be hazardous, especially when coupled with swell

General description
Nestled between Monument and Steps, Sutherland Point can be an intersting alternative to the two, if not considered as another exit point from the former. A prime site for locating the fascinating Weedy Sea Dragon, Sutherland Point has a unique attraction in the form of a trio of blind sharks.

 

 

The Dive

The site is quite shallow until you reach the sandy floor, with scattered boulders and stands of kelp the encountered terrain. Head due north from the entry to reach the shark cave. At the end of a large section of kelp you'll find the wall and the mouth of the cave. The cave is approximately 5m/15ft deep and 1.5m/5ft high. At what appears to be the end of the cave is a small opening - here the cave recreates its outer dimensions and it's here the sharks dwell. Lure them out with frozen pilchards and patience, be prepared to use up to ten minutes of air and take a torch!

Heading east along the wall for approximately 50 metres will bring you to quite a long zigzagged swimthrough. This can also be found by heading northeast from the entry point to a large boulder flanked by two smaller rocks amongst which is a long iron bar. This bar points in the direction of the swimthough, which is another 20 metres or so northeast.

Entry and exit
At the dive site there is a conspicuous "No collecting" sign. Stand directly in front of this sign facing the water (North). Just to the right of the Point you'll notice a clearing amongst the row of rocks. One rock is set in the middle of this clearing, this being the entry and exit point. The rock serves as a convenient form of protection when donning and doffing your fins. Use the sign as a bearing when locating the exit point. Take care to swim torwards the exit point from the east (keep the exit on your right) as to avoid the heavily channelled bedrock to the west of the exit point.

Things you can see

Weedy Seadragons	Red Indian Fish	Morwong
Blind Dogsharks	Various Wrasse	Sea Horses
Various Rays	Blue Groper	Bullseyes
Giant Cuttlefish	Port Jacksons	Morays
Various Nudibranchs	Various Sponges

Things to be careful of

• Currents can be strong on the South Side of Botany Bay (as opposed to Bare Island)
• Swell can make the entry/exit point a tricky procedure - time the sets carefully
• Avoid the channelled bedrock east of the exit at all times
• Limited visibility, make sure you discuss lost buddy procedure before going on the dive
• Take care if entering the cave or attempting the swimthrough - you may not have direct access to the surface

Getting there
After entering Botany Bay National Park, follow the turn off to the Discovery centre, then park at the last parking lot before you head back onto the main road (facing the flagpole at Monument). Sutherland point is at the North West corner of the large clearing. Head torwards the far right of the clearing at you'll find a small path amongst the tall grass - this will take you to Sutherland Point.

Return to map of Sydney dive sites

If you wich to see seadragons Sutherland Point is the Place to dive