Updated Daily by Local Dive Experts
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 local 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.
Sydney Diving Conditions – 20 December 2025
Updated Daily by Local Experts
Today offers pleasant summer diving conditions with light winds, a small northeasterly swell, and generally good visibility. While there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms later in the afternoon, the morning and early-afternoon window looks favourable. Oak Park is the best option, offering shelter from the NE swell and easy shore access.
Conditions at a Glance
Weather: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers, with possible thunderstorms in the afternoon. Winds light, becoming E–NE 15–20 km/h midday.
Air Temperature: 27°C
Water Temperature: 21°C
Visibility: 6–10 m
Swell: 0.5 m NE @ 6.5 s
Tides: High 9:10 am 1.78 m; Low 3:56 pm 0.42 m
Recommended Site: Oak Park — calm conditions, good visibility, and best dived near the afternoon low tide.
Detailed Report
The small 0.5 m northeasterly swell is short-period and low energy, resulting in minimal surge and comfortable conditions at protected shore sites. Oak Park handles this swell direction well and offers one of the easiest and most reliable entries today.
Visibility is sitting around 6–10 m and should remain stable through the morning. The afternoon low tide at 3:56 pm will further reduce water movement across the reef, though building cloud and possible storms later in the day make earlier dives the better choice.
With water temperature at 21°C and air temperatures in the high twenties, this is a classic summer dive setup. Expect warm surface intervals and relaxed conditions underwater.
Safety: Keep an eye on the weather as thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon. Plan dives early, reassess conditions before entering, and be prepared to exit the water if wind or weather changes quickly.
Safe dives and happy bubbles!
Thinking of learning to dive while the conditions are perfect? Check out our PADI Learn to Dive course or PADI Freediver Course and be ready to explore Sydney’s best sites yourself.
Weekend Dive Forecast
We update this forecast daily based on the latest swell, wind, and visibility predictions. The closer we get to the weekend, the more reliable it becomes — by Wednesday, it’s generally accurate enough to plan your dives confidently.
Forecast for the weekend, 20-21 December 2025
See which dives are running this weekend and grab your spot before they fill.
Book a Dive – View This Weekend’s Calendar →
New Diver? View the Beginner Calendar →
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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