WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Today we are diving in Batemans Bay, NSW, Australia!
WHY ARE WE DIVING IN BATEMANS BAY?
I grew up diving in Batemans Bay and have always classed it as home.
Batemans Bay is known for having some of the best oysters in Australia.
With most of its beaches being great dive spots it is most known for two islands about a km off the shore called the Tollgate Islands. From November through to April these islands host one of the largest congregations of Grey Nurse Sharks you can see.
HOW DO WE GET THERE?
Batemans Bay is about a 4-hour drive South from Sydney, Australia’s largest city.
Read More: Diving in Sydney – Gordon’s Bay
A very easy drive with plenty of impressive stops along the way such as the Sea cliff bridge (Between Sydney and Wollongong), Bushrangers Bay (Shellharbour, where you can snorkel with Grey Nurse Sharks) and Ulladulla.
WHICH DIVE SITES ARE MUST-SEE?
Dragon Rock (Tollgate Islands, max. 25m) – The main grey nurse shark dive, only accessible via boat and due to being situated in a marine park sanctuary zone, you need to follow the guidelines set out to dive here. A impressive must dive spot during November through to April.
Guerilla Bay (max. 15m) – Personally, my favorite site. This site has something for every- one, nudibranchs galore, giant smooth sting rays, eagle rays, schools of fish, octopus and a lot more. Local dive stores will use this site for training as its not to deep and fairly sheltered. Also, a great night dive.
South Broulee Cave (max. 15m) – Another great dive site with its big draw card being a spectacular cave that runs for about 90m. Dur- ing the warmer months (December to April) we get tropical fish such as Moorish Idols playing in the shallow water. Year round you get an awesome assortment of Nudibranchs, large Wobbegong sharks and the smaller Port Jackson shark. Also, a great twilight dive.
TELL ME MORE
Of the three listed sites, Dragon Rock is the only one accessible by boat the other two are very easy shore dives with Guerilla Bay being a 10 minute drive along the coast from the hub of Batemans Bay and South Broulee being about 20 minutes.
DO I NEED ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WHEN DIVING IN BATEMANS BAY?
Being on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, the water can get quite cool in the cooler months (13 – 14 degrees) and about 20 – 22 degrees in the warmer months. I dive it year- round in a 5mm wetsuit with hood and would suggest a torch as all the sites have beautiful coral encrusted swim throughs and holes that a torch would help illuminate.
WHAT LEVEL CERTIFICATION SHOULD I BE?
Open Water level diver would be fine, however I would suggest you be at least AOW to dive the South Broulee Cave.
WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS?
I dive all three sites year-round. Depending on wind direction there is very little current, and visibility can vary from 5m through to 30m if the conditions are good.
November to April is the warmer season with water temp getting upwards of 20 degrees.
HOW MUCH WILL I SPEND?
The local dive store has rental gear available and does regular boat dives.
Tank fills are about $10 and Tank hire starts at about $20.
WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE?
Batemans Bay is a town that survives on tourism and contains Hotels, Motels, Camp grounds with cabins and sites for camping and other forms of accommodation.
Prices vary from as little as $30 dollars for a camp site through to $200 dollars a night for a hotel.
WHERE DID YOU STAY?
Lucky for my I have my home here and numerous friends and family who live here too.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Worth it. The south coast is not as busy as the north coast and all our beaches are easily accessible even during peak holiday time.
There is no restriction on parking at our beaches so you can take as much time as you like to navigate the area.
If you are coming with a non-diving partner they will still have a great time as the beaches offer crystal clear water with lots of things to do.
WHAT DO WE DO ON SURFACE INTERVALS?
Plenty of things to do, Walks on any of the beaches. Restaurants galore in the main town and multiple pubs and clubs.
There is no real night life though as most pubs and clubs close their doors at around 10:30 pm.
My family and I enjoy walking along a bush track and having a look through rock pools as you walk along the beaches.
