Scuba diving Sydney North Bondi
Sydney Scuba diving would not be complete without a dive at the very famous Bondi Beach! Bondi Beach is located 8 kilometres from the Sydney city. One of the best dives can be done at Ben Buckler Point at North Bondi. Drive your car down Ramsgate Avenue to where the road splits into two take the lower road and you will find two small car parks just above the rock platform. Parking can be a major issue so try and get yourself there early in the morning so as the morning swimmers leave you can grab a car space. Alternatively you can drop off your gear and park with walk back.
In the ideal conditions and calm seas the best entry point can be found right out to the south of the rock platform. In slight seas, another entry is near the little break in the platform about 45° to the left of the stairs. When conditions are not favourable, the safest entry point is the rough boat ramp to your right.
Whatever entry you do once entered the water, the best dive is to head directly to the south until you come across the sand. If you use the second entry point as described above, swim out on the surface 20 or 30 metres before descending. The depth here is five to six metres and the bottom is composed of large boulders. Swim due south, keep a look under the rocks as you go and you may see moray eels, cuttlefish, eastern blue devils or eastern rock blackfish. Gradually the water gets deeper until after about 10 minutes it drops away to the sand. The depth here will be 15-18 metres here you will find a Weedy Sea Dragon. Follow the edge of the reef to the east, looking under all the overhangs. You can also see serpent eels with their heads just protruding out of their sandy holes. As well, there are Blue Groper, Senator Wrasse, Maori wrasse, Crimson-lined Wrasse and the rarer Pink-lined Wrasse.
For the every experienced diver with good air consumption and in the right weather you may be able to enter the water to the north of the first mentioned spot and head a bit further north before reaching the sand. This will get you to 21 metres. There are some great swim-throughs formed by the placement of the many large boulders. On return to the entry and spirally if you are exiting at the boat ramp be careful if you hear any boats in this area. The fishing club often have small boats that use the ramp at all times of the day and night. Ascend very carefully.
Beware that the reef can be confusing, one of the things that has had many divers getting lost especially if diving North Bondi at night or in times of poor visibility. You should beware of the reef that goes into the bay as you can easily follow it instead of the main reef and end up out in the centre of the bay and not back on the boat ramp.
To find out our next Sydney scuba dive at North Bondi check out our day trips