Camp Cove, Sydney NSW

Site Overview
Site Type: Macro (Nudi's); Reef – Scenic
Depth: Median: 6M Bottom: 7M
Location: A squat reef runs north-south just off the beach and pretty much lines up with the #4 up on the wall to your right as you look out from the beach

There are three parts to the Camp Cove dive site in Sydney’s south: under what is often referred to as Wall #4 – it’s a rock face to the north with the speed limit = 4 knots – on it; a squat reef that is possibly 50 m long and lies about 40m off the beach, parallel to it and centred with it; and the point to the south at the end of the beach.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

Of the things you could see, you could see them at any location. Walking right off the beach, before the kelp line, you might see a swimmer crab in the sand.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

On a lone rock, with just the tiniest bit of foliage attached, we saw two Whites Seahorses.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

On your way to the reef across the sand look out for common stingarees. When you get to the ‘reef’ (yes you may be a little underwhelmed at first) …

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

Look under and around and you will see grubfish, fanbelly and pygmy leatherjackets, silver bream, cuttlefish, snakeskin wrasse and the odd nudi.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

Under ‘Wall 4’ we found a three bar porcupinefish, and it being late summer, Moorish idols, dusky and Gunther’s butterflyfish. Apparently the juveniles come down on the East Australian Current.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

Underneath the tidal station we were lucky enough to have pointed out to us (thanks to Steve Walsh), a black spikey anglerfish. That thing that looks like a bit of kelp on his head is in fact his pompom lure.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with

All up, a very easy site, and lots to see once you get your eye in. The carpark on Cliff Street is free, but be there early to avoid disappointment. There is a shower under the start of the coastal walk path, a kiosk and toilets. After your double dive, you can take your lunch and walk up the coastal path about 1 km to Hornby Lighthouse. The views are amazing.

Camp Cove dive site, south Sydney, NSW. Shore dive: how to find it, safe entry point, what to look out for, what you might see, who to go with