Sydney Dive Site Parking Guide: Where to Park with Scuba Gear

Bare Island, La Perouse

The familiar parking area at the end of Anzac Parade is shown in the hero photograph. The bridge and island closure changes the route, but it does not prevent every mainland shore dive.

• Closed: the access road, bridge, island rock shelf and fort are closed from 24 August 2026, with reopening expected in late 2027.
• Still available when open on the day: the eastern mainland entry immediately east of the bridge and the western mainland entry immediately west of it.
• Plan carefully: stay outside the fenced works, never depend on crossing to the island and use the western mainland entry only in suitably flat conditions after inspecting both entry and exit.

The Steps and The Leap, Kurnell

Both are inside the Kurnell area of Kamay Botany Bay National Park. NPWS currently charges $8 per vehicle per day; regular visitors can compare the current digital Multi Parks Pass instead.

• The Steps: use the designated Inscription Point parking close to the cliff stairway; the final carry still includes steps and uneven ground.
• The Leap: its parking and entry are separate from The Steps, and the access path is steeper.
• Leap-to-Steps dives: inspect both ends and arrange the vehicle or walking transfer before anyone puts on scuba equipment.
• Park hours: the Kurnell area is currently open 7 am–7.30 pm all year, subject to alerts and closures.

Sutherland Point (Monument), Kurnell

The Kurnell Visitor Centre precinct and its car park are currently fenced for construction. NPWS directs visitors to Cricket Pitch and Commemoration Flat for parking and toilets; follow current signs for the entry you intend to use.

• Expect: a moderate carry over uneven or steep coastal terrain.
• Check: the 7 am–7.30 pm park hours, current NPWS alerts and any construction effect on parking.
• Plan: the entry, exit and tide independently of where the car happens to fit.

Oak Park, Cronulla

Oak Park has no dedicated diver-only car park. Divers normally use lawful on-street spaces around Ewos Parade and adjoining streets, then carry equipment towards the ocean pool and entry platform.

• Best approach: allow extra time on warm weekends and swimming-carnival days.
• Do not block: driveways, corners, pedestrian access or emergency routes.
• Before gearing up: walk down and inspect the platform and exit; close parking does not make a moving platform safe.

Bass & Flinders Point, Cronulla

The reserve sits at the end of Gowrie Street. Parking is on local streets rather than in a large dive-site car park, so the carry becomes longer as the closest spaces fill.

• Expect: a downhill approach and an uphill return with wet equipment.
• Share the area: weddings, walkers and picnickers can increase demand.
• Keep access clear: this is a residential headland, not a gear-staging zone.

Shiprock Reserve, Port Hacking

The cul-de-sac near 2 Shiprock Road is small and residential. The water is reached by the reserve stairway, so even a close bay does not remove the need to carry equipment carefully.

• When the end of Shiprock Road is full: use only lawful spaces in adjoining streets and expect a longer walk.
• Be considerate: keep noise down, assemble gear neatly and never block driveways or the pedestrian link.
• Reserve hours: Sutherland Shire Council currently lists sunrise to 9.30 pm; a night dive must finish with enough time to pack and leave lawfully.
• Dive planning: Shiprock is controlled by tidal current and boat traffic; plan for high slack tide using the relevant local tide information.

Gordon’s Bay and Shark Point, Clovelly

Gordon’s Bay has no direct road or beach car park. Council advises access via the coastal walkway, with parking at either Coogee or Clovelly. The large Clovelly car park is free but currently signed 4P from 8 am to 10 pm, so check that the limit covers the complete outing.

• Gordon’s Bay: allow for coastal-path distance, steps and the return carry after the dive.
• Shark Point: the usual access is near Burrows Park, north of Clovelly Bay. Use signed parking around Ocean Street or Eastbourne Avenue and treat the steep rock access and surge as the real suitability test.
• Do not conflate them: Gordon’s Bay and Shark Point are different entries with different hazards.
• Summer restriction: Randwick Council restricts scuba activity at Clovelly Beach from 8 am to 6 pm between 1 October and 30 April; check the current beach rules before planning any Clovelly exit.

Camp Cove, Watsons Bay

Woollahra Council describes limited street parking from Cliff Street and Victoria Street. Nearby parking is generally free, but visitor time limits and resident-parking controls apply, so build flexibility into the plan.

• Do not confuse locations: Green Point Reserve off Pacific Street is a separate place with limited marked spaces, not dependable Camp Cove overflow parking.
• Read the whole sign: time limits and resident restrictions can differ between nearby streets.
• Allow for traffic: Watsons Bay becomes especially busy on sunny weekends and public holidays.

Clifton Gardens, Chowder Bay

The reserve has a substantial cashless, ticketless foreshore car park close to the jetty. Pay by card, Park’nPay or CellOPark and check the rate shown for the date of your visit.

• Capacity: Mosman Council lists 113 spaces, including two accessible spaces.
• Rates checked August 2026: from May to September, $8 per hour on weekdays or $9 per hour on weekends and public holidays, capped at $38.50 a day. From October to April, the maximum is $44 a day and the weekend/public-holiday hourly rate rises to $11.
• Night dives: the Morella Road gate is normally locked at 9.30 pm and reopens at 6 am, so a late return can create a serious problem even after charging ends at 8 pm.
• Current works: baths and jetty works scheduled through 30 October 2026 may temporarily disrupt access; keep clear of construction and follow signs.
• Alternative spaces: parking farther up Morella Road means a longer hill carry; follow all signs.

Shelly Beach and Fairy Bower, Manly

Do not assume that Bower Street or Marine Parade is free. Signed beach parking, permit zones and time limits apply around this busy foreshore.

• Rates checked August 2026: Northern Beaches Council lists beach parking at $8 per hour or $35 per day from 1 May to 30 September, and $10 per hour or $40 per day from 1 October to 30 April.
• Time limit: the Shelly Beach car park is currently signed 4P. Payment hours vary by sign and can extend to 9 pm, so do not assume parking becomes free at 8 pm.
• Manly stations: council parking stations provide another option, but the walk with tanks and the full parking duration still matter.
• Fairy Bower: Marine Parade is the coastal walkway, not a road-parking area. Visitor bays around Bower Street are generally free but commonly signed 2P, while permit holders may be exempt; check the exact bay.

Before leaving home

• Check current access alerts, the weather, tide, swell and Abyss’s Sydney dive-conditions report.
• Open the exact meeting pin from the booking or current dive-site guide.
• Carpool where practical, but do not leave a vehicle at the Abyss shop unless the booking instructions or team confirm that arrangement.
• Pack so that one person can safely move the gear they are responsible for; a compact trolley can help only where the path is suitable.
• Secure cylinders properly during transport and keep valuables out of sight when parked.

At the site

• Read all signs governing the bay, including arrows, days, hours, permits and gate-closing times.
• Allow for briefing, gearing up, the complete dive, the surface interval and delays—especially on a double dive.
• Do not block a driveway, emergency route, boat ramp, footpath, bus zone or access gate.
• Inspect the water entry and exit before putting on the full kit.
• If the parking, access or conditions do not work, change the site or the day.