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Bare Island

Bare Island
Bare Island

Bare Island - Mission Impossible II virus Factory

 

Bare Island is arguably Sydneys most popular dive site, by both individuals and schools alike. Constructed during the Crimean War, the location was immortalised in the marvellously forgettable Mission Impossible 2, as the Virus Factory. The eastern side of Bare Island generally boasts superior visibility and its shallower depths make it more suitable for beginner divers. The visibility on the right (western) side of the island tends not to be as good as the left , but makes up for this with an abundance of aquatic life.

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Bare Island - Mission Impossible II virus Factory

 

Bare Island is arguably Sydneys most popular dive site, by both individuals and schools alike. Constructed during the Crimean War, the location was immortalised in the marvellously forgettable Mission Impossible 2, as the Virus Factory. The eastern side of Bare Island generally boasts superior visibility and its shallower depths make it more suitable for beginner divers. The visibility on the right (western) side of the island tends not to be as good as the left , but makes up for this with an abundance of aquatic life.

Bare Island - Mission Impossible II virus Factory
The more experienced can attempt to circumnavigate the entire island, or enter on the far side to explore the deeper waters of the south western side. Beginners generally enter at the boat ramp on the island to the right of the bridge, or directly below the "World's Largest Bottle Opener", to the left of the bridge on the mainland, depending on conditions.
 
The most popular entry point is on the mainland side. Just before the start of the bridge is a pathway that leads off to the left, it's a rocky path and you must be careful when walking along here. The actual entry point is a squarish cut-out in the rocks (see photo). Exiting is easiest in this square cut-out area mentioned above. To the right (west) of the bridge on the island side is a ramp carved into the bedrock which makes for a popular entry point when diving the western side.

Eastern Side of Bare Island Eastern Side of Bare Island

Bare Island - Dive Site

 

The left side is usually diveable unless a big southerly (south easterly) swell is running. Bare Island is a good dive site due to its flexibility - if one side of the Island is too rough then the other side is usually diveable. The dives here are also great night dives.

Usually visibility is better on eastern side of the island, as it is closer to the open ocean. Navigation on this side of the island is pretty easy, as the reef runs basically north south. Following the main reef on the way out you swim in a southerly direction on the way back in a northerly direction. There are a few little overhangs, so a torch is a good idea.

In regards to the western side, you can hug the main reef, which is a rocky wall which gradually turns around the right hand side of the island. Here there are overhangs and if you follow it around far enoug, you will obtain about 18m. In winter, myriad Port Jackson sharks can be found on this dive.

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"Theres a Reason it is so popular"

John on 25/2/2011 8:08:54 PM

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Comments: Great dive site, visibility was good and was joined by a huge blue gropper that stayed with us for some time. walk to and from can be a bit much in the heat but once in the water you soon discover it was worth it.

"Worth the walk"

Belinda on 30/1/2011 2:44:58 PM

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Comments: Its a walk from the carpark but well worth the effort. Entry is easy, the western side is good for a training dive the eastern side has rock overhangs to look under and around.

"Huge dive site"

Colin on 19/4/2010 4:23:35 PM

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Comments: There is a reason for this being Sydney's busiest dive location and that is because it is a great dive. The visibility on the western side of the island can be quite poor with the work happening in the bay, but the beauty of this site is that one side of the island is usually clear. You would have to dive this site at least 20 times to get an understanding of how much there is here.

"Worst diver ever"

Tom Jones on 15/12/2009 9:48:23 PM

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Comments: Worst dive of my life! Not only did i nearly get hit by a passing boat when I surfaced but I found more rubbish along the bottom than the council tip. Definitely do not recommend it.

"So many options!"

Kirsty on 5/8/2009 4:10:57 PM

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Comments: I love how many options there are at Bare Island - so versatile and easy to navigate. Listen to the DM's brief and you can go off by yourself and explore all the overhangs, and rocks! Managed to find an olden day anchor last dive I did!!

"Great dive site!"

Sam on 4/6/2009 2:36:12 PM

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Comments: Bare Island is a great dive site. Heaps of stuff to see. Nearly always diveable on at least one side and most times, both. Love this site!

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