Diver Guide to Parking

Peter Letts   Jun 30, 2025

Parking Guide for Sydney’s Most Popular Dive Sites

Scuba diving in Sydney offers incredible experiences, but the first challenge of the day often starts on land—finding parking.

It’s not the entry points, the gear, or even the swell that causes the most stress. It’s the endless search for a parking spot, tanks rattling in the boot, as you race against the clock before your dive buddy arrives or worry about parking rangers while you’re 15 metres underwater.

This guide unpacks the real parking situation at Sydney’s top shore dive sites and boat pickup points. From free council parking and tightly monitored bays to wharves with long walks, we’ll show you exactly where to park, what to avoid, and how to make your dive day smoother.

You’ll find insider tips, hidden alternatives, and practical advice to take the hassle out of parking, so you can focus on enjoying a safer, easier, and more enjoyable diving experience.
 

Shore Dive Sites – Where to Park & What to Expect

Sydney’s shore dives offer incredible marine life, accessible entry points, and year-round diving opportunities, but parking can be hit or miss. Whether you're planning a casual weekend dive or running a course, knowing the parking situation ahead of time can save you stress, time, and even fines.

Below are the top 10 shore dives in Sydney, with a breakdown of their parking logistics and tips for making your dive day smoother.

Bare Island (La Perouse)

Bare Island, a Sydney diving icon, boasts multiple entry points and a captivating underwater landscape filled with rocky outcrops, soft corals, and overhangs. Perfect for macro enthusiasts, this dive site is teeming with marine life, including pygmy pipehorses, weedy sea dragons, and vibrant nudibranchs. It’s a bucket-list destination suitable for divers of all certification levels.

Parking is conveniently available at the council lot near the footbridge to Bare Island, but availability varies by season. During winter and midweek, finding a spot is easy, but in summer—particularly on weekends—the lot fills up quickly, often by 9 am, as tourists and anglers flock to the area. For morning dives, aim to arrive early, ideally before 8 am, to secure a space. If the main parking area is full, additional spots can often be found along Anzac Parade. However, this comes with a longer walk, so circling the loop a few times to wait for an opening might prove more convenient.

Kurnell National Park

Entry to Kamay Botany Bay National Park costs $8 per day, but if you dive at Kurnell regularly—whether at The Steps, The Leap, or Monument—it’s worth investing in an NSW Parks Annual Pass instead of paying the daily fee each time. The Multi Park Pass covers all fee-collecting parks in NSW (except Kosciuszko National Park) and includes Kamay Botany Bay National Park. It costs $65 for 1 year or $115 for 2 years and can be added directly to your vehicle registration when renewing online through Service NSW. This links the pass to your number plate, so there’s no need to display a sticker. If you dive Kurnell more than 8 times a year, the pass quickly pays for itself and saves you the hassle of dealing with machines on breezy mornings.

The Steps & The Leap 

Located within the sheltered waters of Botany Bay, this dual dive site offers some of Sydney’s most vibrant marine biodiversity. The Steps provides easy water access and a relaxed pace for exploration, while The Leap delivers an exhilarating drift dive past weedy sea dragons, graceful rays, and lush kelp.

Parking at The Steps is convenient, close to the water, and rarely overcrowded, making it an ideal starting point for divers. In contrast, parking near The Leap is limited to roadside spots above the entry point, requiring a longer walk and filling up more quickly. Many divers choose to drop off their gear at The Leap before parking at The Steps, where most dives naturally conclude. To enhance your experience, consider visiting on a weekday to avoid crowds, and if diving at The Leap, be prepared for a 3- to 5-minute walk along the road. Plan your gear logistics accordingly for a seamless adventure.

The Monument 

Often overlooked in favour of The Steps and The Leap, Monument offers a stunning wall dive adorned with vibrant sponge gardens and scattered ledges. This site is bursting with colour and life, making it a top spot for encountering large cuttlefish, rays, and the enchanting weedy sea dragons.

Parking at the Monument can be limited, especially on weekends, so arriving early is highly recommended. The parking area is conveniently located near the sandstone wall entry and falls within the same national park zone as The Steps and The Leap. Be mindful to avoid parking in no-stopping zones to ensure an enjoyable and hassle-free visit.

Shelly Beach (Manly)

Shelly Beach, nestled within the Cabbage Tree Bay Marine Reserve, is a haven for both beginners and photographers. Its calm waters, resident blue gropers, and occasional visits from dusky whalers make it a popular, year-round destination.

While paid parking is available, it comes at a steep $8 per hour, meaning a double dive could cost $36 or more. Parking spots also fill up quickly, especially on summer weekends. To save both time and money, aim to arrive before 9 am, use public transport, or carpool to reduce costs and ease congestion.

Gordon’s Bay (Clovelly)

Gordon’s Bay is a serene, horseshoe-shaped cove renowned for its unique 600-metre underwater nature trail. Here, you’ll find sand flats, weedy rock formations, and schools of bream and wrasse in a calm, snorkel-friendly environment—perfect for laid-back dives.

Most divers park at the spacious public car park located at the eastern end of Clovelly Road, near the Clovelly Surf Club and beach. While parking is free, it tends to fill up quickly during summer and on weekends, so arriving early is advisable. From the car park, a short walk south along the scenic cliff path leads to the Shark Point entry. This dive entry, however, is best suited for experienced divers, as it involves navigating a rocky platform and managing surge-prone conditions. For convenience, it’s recommended to gear up fully in the car park before making your way to the entry point.

Shark Point (Clovelly)

Shark Point offers an exhilarating dive experience reserved for advanced divers. This site features dramatic underwater landscapes, including deep gullies, sheer drop-offs, and strong surges. It's renowned for sightings of large wobbegongs, pelagic species, and schools of fish, making it a high-reward dive for those confident in navigating surf entries.

Parking is typically available along Cliffbrook Parade, but reaching the dive site requires descending a steep, often slippery rock path. Due to the challenging entry and exit points, particularly in rough conditions, this spot is best suited for experienced divers with a high level of fitness. Shark Point promises a thrilling adventure but demands preparation and expertise.

Oak Park (Cronulla)

Oak Park is a convenient dive spot featuring a sprawling reef system just off the beach platform. Renowned for its abundant marine life, including turtles, Port Jackson sharks, and cuttlefish, it’s an ideal location for divers of all experience levels. For underwater photographers, the site boasts a scenic swim-through channel, perfect for capturing stunning shots.

Free parking is available on Jibbon Street and Glaisher Parade, though Jibbon often fills up early, especially on busy beach days. For a better chance at finding a spot, consider parking at the northern end of Glaisher Parade.

Camp Cove (Watsons Bay)

Tucked away within Sydney Harbour, Camp Cove is a serene dive site known for its excellent visibility during westerly winds and consistently calm surface conditions. This sandy, sheltered bay is a haven for marine life, including seahorses, pipefish, and rays, making it an ideal spot for night dives or macro photography.

Parking near Cliff Street can be both limited and expensive, with the nearby car park charging approximately $31 per day and free street parking often filling up quickly. For a quieter alternative, consider Reserve Point at the end of Pacific Street, a lesser-known access point. However, be cautious of parking regulations, as rangers regularly patrol the area.

Clifton Gardens (Chowder Bay)

Clifton Gardens is a muck-diver’s haven, nestled beneath a sprawling timber jetty. This sheltered, shallow dive site is teeming with fascinating marine life. While the waters may be murky, the experience is nothing short of magical—keep an eye out for seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, and even elusive stargazers hiding among the pylons.

For parking, Mosman Council offers paid spots near the jetty for $28/day on weekends. While conveniently located, these spaces are limited. Parking is free after 8 pm, making it an excellent choice for night dives. If the lot is full, additional parking is available further up Morella Road, requiring a 5–10 minute walk to the jetty.

Fairy Bower (Manly)

Nestled between Shelly Beach and Manly, Fairy Bower offers a serene and picturesque escape, perfect for those seeking a quieter alternative. Its gentle entry point makes it ideal for exploring the reef, home to rays, octopuses, and the occasional whaler shark. It’s a fantastic option, especially when Shelly Beach gets too crowded.

Free parking is available near Bower Street and along Marine Parade, though it’s often overlooked—an advantage for those in the know. While it requires a slightly longer walk with your gear, Fairy Bower is well worth the effort as a peaceful and scenic backup to bustling Shelly Beach.

Shiprock Reserve (Port Hacking)

A unique and protected aquatic reserve in Burraneer Bay, Shiprock features a dramatic drop-off wall, sponge gardens, and resident species like moray eels and pineapplefish. Entry is via a small staircase at the end of Shiprock Road.

The main parking area is a small cul-de-sac at the end of Shiprock Road, which fills up quickly, especially on weekends or during dive club events. Walendbeen Avenue is a great backup option, connecting to Shiprock Road via a pedestrian path and offering easier parking when the reserve is busy. Parking on Walendbeen also saves you from hiking uphill after your dive, which is particularly helpful when carrying gear and tanks. Remember, tidal planning is essential—this site should only be dived at slack tide. Keep noise and gear handling respectful, as this is a residential area with limited facilities. Lastly, the reserve is fully protected, so no collecting or disturbing marine life is allowed.

Boat Dive Pickup Points – Where Divers Face the Biggest Parking Issues

While Sydney’s shore dives have their challenges, boat dives present a different kind of logistical headache—the parking at pickup locations. Most dive boats depart from public wharves with limited nearby parking, long walks with heavy gear, and active council rangers. Here’s what to expect from Sydney’s main dive charter operators:

Pro Dive Sydney

Rose Bay Wharf: Parking at Rose Bay is extremely limited and heavily patrolled, making it a challenging spot if you're bringing dive gear. Be prepared for a long walk from your parking spot to the wharf, which can be especially difficult when carrying tanks and dive bags. Parking meters are strictly enforced, and spaces are even harder to find on weekends. Arriving early and considering a trolley or backpack system to transport your gear can make the process easier.

Manly Yacht Club: While paid parking is available near the Manly Yacht Club, spots fill up quickly due to beachgoers and heavy traffic in the area. Navigating through the Corso with dive gear can also take extra time, so planning ahead is key. To avoid delays, aim to arrive 45–60 minutes early, especially on weekends, and consider using a gear trolley for added convenience.

Sydney Dive Charters

Rose Bay: Parking is extremely limited and heavily patrolled, making it challenging if you're bringing dive gear. Be prepared for a long walk from your parking spot to the wharf, which can be tough when carrying tanks and dive bags. Parking meters are strictly enforced, and finding a spot is even harder on weekends. Arrive early and consider using a trolley or backpack system to transport your gear.

Little Manly: There is a small parking area near Stuart Street with very limited spaces. Arriving early is crucial to secure a spot.

Malabar: The best option for parking. Use the Fishermans Road Car Park near the boat ramp for plenty of space and easy access to the dive entry point. For Malabar pickups, head to Fishermans Road, not the beachside car parks.

Abyss Scuba Diving

The pickup location is Sans Souci Park (Fisherman’s Wharf), offering ample all-day free parking right at the wharf. It’s flat, spacious, and located next to the diver entry ramp—no stairs, no long walks, and no need to worry about rangers. Supported by a dive shop just 5 minutes away, this is arguably the most convenient boat dive parking in Sydney. No rush, no paid meters, and no hauling heavy gear long distances. For a stress-free boat dive day, this spot sets the gold standard for diver-friendly access.