Diving Conditions in Sydney
Welcome to Sydney's most reliable and up-to-date dive conditions page. Every morning, our team checks the tides, visibility, water temperature, swell, and weather to recommend the best Sydney dive sites for the day.
Whether you're planning a weekend dive, checking if today’s conditions are safe, or just dreaming about your next underwater adventure, this is your go-to source. Bookmark this page and check back daily for the latest updates.
I treated the attached prompt as a request to generate today’s report. I checked the supplied inputs against the BOM coastal and enclosed-waters forecasts: BOM has no NSW marine warnings, coastal winds variable about 10 kt becoming NE 10–15 kt this evening, seas below 1 m, and an inshore southerly swell of 1–1.5 m, while enclosed waters are lighter with seas below 0.5 m. Your supplied local data still points to very good shore-diving conditions: 0.6 m S swell at 8.6 seconds, 19°C water, 8–10 m visibility, and Oak Park as the lead site.
Sydney Diving Conditions – Sunday 28 June 2026
Updated Daily by Local Experts
Today’s Dive Conditions
Plan — fair to good diving with sensible site checks. Visibility is sitting around 7–10 m, which is a solid winter result, but runoff is now affecting bay sites and starting to show around the western side of Bare Island. That makes an ocean-flushed site the better first call today. Oak Park is the best first look, but only around the low-tide window and only if the platform is not washing.
Today’s Dive Plan
Head to Oak Park for the late-morning to early-afternoon low-tide window. The key planning point is the 12:55 pm low tide. Check the platform before gearing up, watch a few full sets, and keep the exit in mind before entering. If Oak Park is surging across the platform, move the dive rather than forcing it.
Conditions at a Glance
Weather: Partly cloudy with showers possible. E to NE winds around 10 knots, about 18 km/h, with lighter wind inside sheltered water.
Air Temperature: Around 17–18°C
Water Temperature: 18°C
Visibility: 7–10 m, with bay sites more variable from runoff
Swell: E/SE mix around 1.0 m @ 8–10 s nearshore; exposed beaches active, smaller inside protected Botany/Kurnell entries
Tides: Port Hacking/Oak Park — Low 1:52 am 0.44 m; High 7:26 am 1.12 m; Low 12:55 pm 0.54 m; High 7:32 pm 1.65 m
Recommended Sites: Oak Park — best ocean-flushed option around low tide; The Steps or Sutherland Point — conservative southern alternatives if Oak Park is washing.
Detailed Report
Today is worth diving, but it is not a turn-up-anywhere day. The broad ocean swell is still active enough to make exposed platforms and reefs move around, while local protected readings are much smaller. That gives us a practical effective-swell call: use the cleaner ocean water, but keep the entry and exit check front and centre.
Oak Park gets the first look because visibility is holding at 7–10 m and bay runoff is reducing confidence at more enclosed sites. The low-tide window is the key. Oak Park is usually friendliest around low to mid tide, while higher water can make the platform and exit less forgiving if sets are pushing through.
Do not plan Voodoo today. It is too exposed for the current E/SE energy and needs much flatter water for a safe shore plan. Bare Island is also not the lead recommendation today. The western side is starting to show runoff impact, and the bridge/channel area should be treated as check-only rather than assumed clean.
If Oak Park is surging or the platform is washing, shift south to The Steps or Sutherland Point. The Steps offers better shelter from southerly energy, but still deserves a stairs and exit check if the E/SE angle is wrapping into Kurnell. Sutherland Point is the more conservative Kurnell option if divers want extra shelter and a simpler entry.
Water temperature is 18°C. Most divers will be comfortable in a 5–7 mm wetsuit, with a hood recommended for longer dives or anyone who feels the cold. Pack a torch for ledges, sponge gardens and shaded sections, especially with cloud and showers reducing light underwater.
Safety: Check the entry before committing. Avoid Oak Park if water is running across the platform, if surge is pushing divers around in the shallows, or if the exit looks harder than the entry. Keep the dive conservative, stay close to your buddy, and move to The Steps or Sutherland Point if the ocean side is more active than expected.
Safe dives and happy bubbles!
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Latest Dive Report – As Seen Underwater Within the Past 24 Hours
Note: As always, it’s important to check out the particular site before committing to it. While we strive to provide the most accurate information, diving conditions can change rapidly. Always check the latest updates before you head out.
When choosing your dive site to get the best conditions, we make the following recommendations:
How Conditions Affect Dive Sites
Lilli Pilli – Best on an incoming tide
Well-protected against all swell. Exposed to strong Westerly winds.
Ship Rock – Best 15 minutes before high tide
Not exposed to any swell. Best on a high slack tide.
Bass & Flinders – Best on an incoming tide
Good except for a NE swell greater than 1.4m.
Oak Park – Best on low tide
Should not be dived if SE to N swell is greater than 0.7m.
VooDoo – Best on high tide
Best with SW to NW swells. All other swells must be under 0.5m.
Cape Solander – Tide has no effect
Best with SW to NW swells. Other swells must be below 0.7m.
The Leap – Best near high tide
Should not be dived if E to S swell is greater than 1m. Best on an incoming tide.
The Steps – Swell-sensitive
Protected, but exposed to E to ESE swells greater than 1m.
Sutherland Point – Best on an incoming tide
Well protected. Only exposed to ESE swell greater than 1.8m.
Bare Island – Best with N swell and incoming tide
Should not be dived if S swell is greater than 1.2m.
Shelly Beach – Sheltered and beginner-friendly
Should not be dived if swell is greater than 0.8m. Protected from all but westerly swell.
Understanding Water Visibility in Sydney
What affects water visibility in Sydney?
Water visibility is influenced by tides, swell direction, weather, and even seasonal algae blooms. After rain or storms, visibility tends to drop due to sediment stirred up in the water.
How do tides impact visibility?
Slack high tide often provides the best visibility, as water movement slows and particles settle. Many Sydney sites are clearest just before high tide.
What’s the typical visibility range?
Visibility usually ranges from 5m to 10m but can exceed 20m in winter or drop below 2m after several days of heavy rain. July to October offers the clearest conditions.
Where are the best spots for good vis?
Sites like Shelly Beach, Bare Island (east side), and Ship Rock are known for consistent visibility—especially during high tide with minimal swell.
Sydney Water Temperatures by Month
Diving in Sydney is great all year, with mild seasonal changes that affect both water temperature and visibility. Whether you prefer warmer dives or crystal-clear winter water, there's always a great dive site to suit the season, making it the best to dive Sydney.
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Water Temperature: Ranges from 15°C (winter) to 25°C (summer)
Visibility: Typically 5–10m, up to 20m from July to October
Best Clarity: Winter (July–October), when seas are calm and algae is low
Here’s how Sydney’s sea temperatures shift throughout the year:
| Month | Min °C | Max °C |
|---|---|---|
| January | 21.5 | 25.1 |
| February | 22.1 | 25.3 |
| March | 21.6 | 25.3 |
| April | 20.8 | 24.6 |
| May | 18.8 | 22.6 |
| June | 17.5 | 21.1 |
| July | 17.3 | 20.9 |
| August | 17.4 | 20.2 |
| September | 17.2 | 19.9 |
| October | 17.5 | 20.9 |
| November | 19.1 | 22.1 |
| December | 19.5 | 24.3 |
What to Expect: Sydney offers a diverse diving experience year-round. In summer (Dec–Mar), enjoy warmer waters and active marine life, ideal for newer divers. Autumn and spring bring steady conditions and great critter sightings. Winter (Jul–Oct) delivers the clearest visibility, making it perfect for photography, deep dives, and encounters with weedy sea dragons. With the right gear, every season is dive season in Sydney!
Diving in Sydney: Your Questions Answered
When is the best time to dive in Sydney?
Sydney is great for diving year-round. For the calmest seas and clearest visibility, July to October is ideal. Water is warmer from October to May, making it popular for beginners.
Is Sydney good for beginner divers?
Absolutely! Sites like Shelly Beach and Bare Island offer easy shore entries, shallow depths, and protected conditions — perfect for new divers.
How’s the visibility for diving in Sydney?
Visibility typically ranges from 5 to 10 metres, with the clearest conditions from July to October. After heavy rain, it can drop to 1–2 metres.
What’s the average water temperature for diving in Sydney?
Expect temperatures from around 15°C in winter to 25°C in summer.
Are there strong currents at Sydney’s dive sites?
Most popular sites around Sydney have mild currents, suitable for divers of all levels. Tidal flow can affect some locations, so timing matters.
What marine life can I see while diving in Sydney?
You may spot weedy sea dragons, wobbegong sharks, blue groupers, cuttlefish, octopus, and even seals or dolphins.
Should I wear a wetsuit when diving in Sydney?
Yes. Most divers use a 5–7mm wetsuit year-round. In summer, a 3–5mm suit or shorty is okay for shallow dives, but conditions can vary.
How can I check diving conditions before heading out?
Check this page daily for updated reports. You can also use apps like Seabreeze or WillyWeather for swell, tide, and wind forecasts. Or just call us!
Still have questions?
Contact Us or Ask Our Team
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