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Dive Sites
The seabed of the Central Coast is an underwater wonderland and, with over 40 years of exploring the coast, we think we know most of the best spots
Terrigal is the centre of Central Coast SCUBA diving with the proposed sinking of the ex HMAS Adelaide II dive wreck complimenting our underwater SCUBA diving paradise of sponge and coral covered reefs.
We have dramatic drop offs with underwater caves and swim throughs. Many ships have foundered off the Central Coast od NSW and their skeletal remains can be found on the sea bed. These then become artificial reefs and havens great schools of fish.
Below is a short list of some of our favorite dive sites of the central coast, with drawings of two of the most frequently dived, 'Foggy Cave' and the 'Skillion Cave' both boat dives but, if calm, the 'Skillion Cave', is a shore dive.
Terrigal Haven and Surrounds.
These are all shore dives accessible and just a short walk from Terrigal Dive Centre. The 'Haven' directly in front of the Dive Centre is a sandy, sloping walk in, beach entry. Out under the moored boats is a sea grass bed, hiding a multitude of small fish. Diving in this area you will sure to be accosted, if that's the right word, by one or more of our giant black sting rays, some up to 2m across.
Residents of the haven for many years, they are used to the divers and will swim along side you. Further out along the rocky wall is a giant anchor, big blue gropers and schools of yellowtail. This is the training area for our dive school but it a very pleasant, non stressful, dive for divers of all experience. It is a very calm second dive of the day spot and is an absolute blast as a night dive where a 2m black sting ray coming suddenly into your torch beam can really startle you.
The Remains of the Lord Ashley ship wreck, a 3 masted, sailing steam ship, sunk in 1877 can be seen in 7m of water just on the out side of the reef and sponge gardens can be explored by following the reef down to 18m.
Foggy Cave 39m - Bateau Bay
A well known, grey nurse shark dive, from March to April. But a terrific dive any other time. No photo could do it justice but well known marine illustrator, Clarrie Lawler, has produced the drawings shown below. It is a boat dive 5.5 nm from Terrigal & 3nm offshore.
Skillion Cave 20m - Terrigal Headland
This is a well known dive site. It is a popular shore dive, when the sea is calm but can be treacherous if there is a swell, please feel free to come into the Dive Centre and ask if the conditions are safe on the day. This dive site is also frequently dived as a boat dive, at least making for a safe entry and exit. Again brilliant marine illustrator Clarrie Lawler has provided us with a map of the entry point and of the cave itself, something impossible to produce with a camera. To drop off the 12m cliffs that surround this cave is awesome in it self but once inside the cave, the walls are a kaleidoscope of colour from ascidians sponges and coral on the walls and at the right time of the day, the sunlight streaming in through the open roof gives a cathedral like quality.
2 Poles Reef 14m-21m - Wamberal Point
A pretty shallow dive, with an underwater headland that attracts a dense school of yellowtail and bulls eyes. Whilst out on the sand of the adjacent gutter you are sure to find weedy sea dragons.
Fifeshire Reef 14m-18m North Avoca.
A series of fingers of reef with sandy gutters in between. The rocks and their walls are a host to sponges corals and ascidians one of the best locations on the coast for benthic marine life.
The Pinnacle 17m-27m - Bateau Bay
Every Dive Centre seems to have a site called 'The Pinnacle', we are no exception. This curious rock formation comes up of the sea bed at 27m like a block of apartments. Only about 30m across at the base, the almost bald, dome like, top is a mere 17m deep and 10m across. Big schools of fish hang around this structure.
Galava Wreck 50m - 3nm off Terrigal
The prettiest of our local wrecks covered in yellow soft coral, well broken up since it sank in 1927. It is on sand but has a large boiler, lots of wreckage and attracts plenty of fish. Due to its depth, this dive is for the very experienced and well trained diver only, who is suitably equipped for this depth.
First Point 19m-27m
Named by Capt. Cook this series of ledges stepping down to 27m has lots of small swim throughs, in fact many are best described as squeeze throughs. Good marine life and lots of fish make this an easy beginners dive.
Kiama Wreck 46m - Toowoon Bay.
A small, coastal collier which sank in 1952. It is sitting on rock but well flattened. There is a large boiler, the engine can be seen lying on its side and the site is usually well endowed with big schools of fish. This too is a deep dive and should only be attempted by experienced divers with suitable training and equipment.
These are just but a few of our many local dive sites and wrecks, a map and some other dive sites are on our Boat Dives page. We hope this will tantilise you into coming to Terrigal and diving with us.
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