Explore Forster
Found in New South Wales, Forster has long been known as a dive destination. Directly adjacent to its neighbour, Tuncurry, they are both known for their beautiful water and wild coastline, only 300km north of Sydney.
There are only three dive centres located in Forster, all of which are long established and trusted. They all offer dive courses ranging from discovering scuba diving for the first time to professional qualifications. There are no dive resorts or liveaboards operating in the area.
The highlights of Forster diving include the opportunity to see huge grey nurse sharks. Not only can they be seen, but in certain places they can be seen schooling with numbers exceeding 100 individuals. Other memorable moments when diving here include the other sharks, deep wreck diving and caves.
Top Foster Dive Sites
1. The Pinnacle
This deep (24–33m) drift dive is a sanctuary for grey nurse sharks—often 40 or more, sometimes over 100. Wobbegongs, eagle rays, turtles, and black cod are also common. Suitable for advanced scuba divers due to depth and strong currents. A shark lover’s dream.
2. Latitude Rock
At 10–18m, this vibrant reef features sponge gardens, kelp beds, and plenty of marine life including blue gropers, Port Jackson sharks, and wobbegongs. Ideal for photographers and all dive levels. Clear, sunlit waters offer perfect conditions for freediving.
3. Idol Bay
A kelp-covered reef with excellent macro opportunities and sandy areas that attract rays, turtles, kingfish, and the occasional shark. Great for intermediate divers and underwater photographers seeking diversity in both reef and pelagic life.
4. The Grotto (Big Seal Rock)
From February to May, divers can witness huge gatherings of grey nurse sharks. Great visibility and dramatic underwater landscapes make this advanced dive unforgettable. Explore nearby Eastern Gutters and Big Seal Rock Reef in one trip.
5. Jimmy’s Cave
A deep, technical dive (24–35m) featuring a chimney-like structure with several exits. Macro life flourishes in the shadows, making it a unique experience for experienced divers. Requires good buoyancy and comfort in enclosed spaces.
The best Months to dive in Foster
Diving in Forster is doable all year round. The most popular months with tourists and divers alike are the summer months, particularly around holidays like Christmas, New Year and Easter. The summer months (November - March) have daytime temperatures averaging in the high 20s with water temperatures reaching 24°C.
The winter months (May - September) are cooler, air temperatures hover in the high teens with water temperatures dropping to around 17°C. Though the water is cooler, the number of grey nurse sharks can increase at this time. Apart from the temperature difference, the diving remains mostly unchanged.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Foster
There is lots of marine life to be found among the reefs and wrecks of Forster. Within the reef, there are lots of macro finds including nudibranch, shrimps, crabs and more. There are also plenty of small, colourful reef fish darting over the reefs and hiding in the seaweed, like the ghost pipefish.
The pelagic life here is one of the big draws. Turtles (green and loggerhead) are common. There are several friendly, resident blue groupers here - some have even been named. You can see lots of shark and ray species including shovelnose rays, fiddler rays, Port Jackson sharks, wobbegong sharks and grey nurse sharks. The grey nurse sharks are found in huge numbers and are often seen hunting the schools of kingfish, trevally, bonito, mulloway, teraglin and yellowtail.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
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Total number of species approx.: 25
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Eagle Ray
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Loggerhead Turtle
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Total number of species approx.: 200
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Moray Eel
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Nurse Shark
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Wobbegong
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Total number of species approx.: 80
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Stingrays
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Total number of species approx.: 250
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Grouper/Basslets
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Total number of species approx.: 12
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Lionfish
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