Dive Site: Voo Doo

General description
On the secluded south side of the Kurnell National Park, Voodoo is a little-known, yet awe inspiring Sydney dive site. Named by surfers after the almost supernatural sets unleashed upon it, Voodoo should only be attempted when the wax heads are elsewhere. Like Cape Solander, this site should only be done by experienced divers and only when conditions are exceptionally placid. Like Solander, it can provide peerless visibility, at times exceeding 25 metres. Bear in mind this site can exceed depth limits for Open Water divers. Voodoo’s highlight is an overhang which upon waves break, allowing you to actually see the waves safely from beneath.

Getting there
Take the right-hand turn-off at the Caltex sign (pictured) off Captains Cook Drive along Sir Joseph Banks Drv. Follow this to its end and turn right into an inconspicuous dirt road that takes a back route into the National Park. Count the speed humps until you reach the car park

Entry and exit
There is a huge expanse of bedrock to the east that stops abruptly at the marshland, forming a wall that runs almost north/south to the water’s edge. Here you’ll find a small pool, well protected from the swell. Don your fins here and swim to the south, where there is a line of boulders running east/west. Take the gap between the second and third boulders, counting from east to west (see photo). Time this well and prepare to crawl if need be. Timing also applies to the exit, which is exactly the same spot. At low tide, this isn’t really a feasible option.

Entry Point

The Dives
The best way to dive Voodoo is to head south west after passing the entry/exit boulders. You’ll see a defined ‘canyon’ in the rock below you which continues for about 200 metres. There is a large cavern-like overhang here. Its surface is in about 5 metres of water and protects a large slab of rock beneath (in approximately 9 metres). From here you can look directly up and see waves breaking overhead.

From here continue south through a fairly defined canyon, walled on either side by large boulders. It descends to around the 20 metre mark and then the reef drops off quite sharply to 25+metres. Turnaround is generally best along the same route, or alternatively, you can cut back on a north-eastern route, giving you a shorter swim.

Click for print quality map

Things you can see.
Huge schools of yellowtail, king fish, leatherjackets, wobbiegong sharks, angelsharks, Port Jackson sharks, bull rays, southern eagle rays. Also a marvellous array of sponges.

Things to be careful of.

• Conditions have to be flat as a mill pond for this site to be considered – assess the swell and sets for several minutes before making your mind up. Remember that the conditions can change without warning.
• This dive site reaches depths past the limit for Open Water divers, don’t dive past your training or limitations.
• Time your entries and exits carefully, wait until you can anticipate the sets and swells.