Nelson Bay
Nelson Bay, found in the Port Stephens area of New South Wales, is a sedate holiday town. Though it
Explore Port Stephans
Located in New South Wales, the Port Stephens area, centered around the picturesque township of Nelson Bay, offers an extraordinary diving experience that attracts enthusiasts from around the globe. Known for its exceptional shore, boat, and wreck dives, Port Stephens is a treasure trove of underwater wonders. Halifax Park, a particularly thrilling spot for reef diving, dazzles divers with its colorful sponge gardens teeming with thousands of vibrant fish, creating a mesmerizing underwater kaleidoscope. Broughton Island, another jewel in Port Stephens' diving crown, features the famous "Looking Glass" — an intriguing archway in the rock where divers can swim through, often accompanied by the majestic grey nurse sharks. This unique feature makes it a must-visit for those seeking both adventure and serenity. The region's diverse marine ecosystems alongside its dramatic underwater landscapes ensure that every dive is a memorable one, beckoning divers to explore its depths time and again.
Top Regions to Explore
Dive Activity
Diving in Port Stephens
Port Stephens, a picturesque location in New South Wales, offers divers a range of exciting underwater experiences. One of the highlights is the wreck dive at Halifax Park, where the remains of the "Macquarie" ship attract both novice and experienced divers with its rich marine life. The site is teeming with vibrant schools of fish and offers a thrilling glimpse into the past.
For those preferring shore dives, Fly Point is a popular choice, known for its easy access and diverse sea creatures like the iconic weedy sea dragons. The area provides unique opportunities for night diving, where the underwater world takes on a different, enchanting atmosphere. Dive enthusiasts can enjoy a balance between the convenience of shore diving and the immersive experience of liveaboard trips, making Port Stephens a versatile destination for all levels of divers.
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
The best Months to dive in Port Stephens
Port Stephens offers a diverse diving experience throughout the year, with water temperatures ranging from 16°C–23°C/61°F–73°F. During summer, temperatures are warmer, enhancing comfort for divers. Visibility averages around 10–20 meters/33–66 feet, though this can vary significantly depending on weather conditions, such as wind and currents, which can affect water clarity.
Diving is possible year-round, but the best conditions are typically found from late spring to early autumn, offering calmer seas. Winter months may bring stronger winds and currents, resulting in less favorable diving conditions. Planning dives around these seasonal changes can help ensure a more enjoyable and safe experience.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Port Stephens
Port Stephens, a renowned diving destination in New South Wales, Australia, offers a vibrant marine ecosystem. The region's reefs are teeming with colorful fish such as bream, snapper, and the occasional wobbegong shark. These reef fish are commonly seen year-round, especially around the Fly Point and Halifax Park marine reserves.
Seasonal highlights include the chance to spot grey nurse sharks from May to October, especially at Broughton Island. Green and loggerhead turtles are also seen, particularly in the warmer months from November to April. Rays, including the majestic manta ray, can be spotted throughout the year, often gliding gracefully over sandy bottoms. Divers frequenting these sites have a high likelihood of encountering these fascinating creatures, with Broughton Island being a hotspot for both sharks and turtles during peak seasons.
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.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
266 Sightings
J
46
F
39
M
37
A
25
M
11
J
13
J
8
A
6
S
9
O
11
N
24
D
37
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
208 Sightings
J
13
F
40
M
29
A
27
M
9
J
13
J
11
A
21
S
10
O
16
N
4
D
15
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
Wrasse
49 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
3
A
0
M
0
J
6
J
3
A
5
S
7
O
12
N
1
D
10
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin
21 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
8
S
0
O
7
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
18 Sightings
J
0
F
11
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
iStock-Nigel Marsh
Wobbegong
523 Sightings
J
73
F
47
M
67
A
63
M
35
J
32
J
33
A
38
S
24
O
40
N
13
D
58
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
493 Sightings
J
68
F
61
M
63
A
51
M
26
J
26
J
20
A
31
S
31
O
27
N
29
D
60
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
361 Sightings
J
33
F
37
M
46
A
42
M
23
J
18
J
18
A
28
S
24
O
20
N
26
D
46
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
269 Sightings
J
37
F
17
M
32
A
48
M
7
J
21
J
20
A
26
S
22
O
7
N
16
D
16
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 120
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish
178 Sightings
J
20
F
22
M
35
A
16
M
11
J
14
J
14
A
12
S
11
O
3
N
3
D
17
