Local Shore Dives

Pro Dive Central Coast can offer some amazing Shore Dives and we've included some of our favourites below.

We are located centrally at Killarney Vale, just a stones throw from some of the most popular sites. There are many great diving spots on our doorstep.

Welcome to our informative guide on local shore dives on the NSW Central Coast. As experts in scuba diving experiences and scuba diver training courses, we are excited to share with you the opportunities for underwater exploration in this beautiful region.

The NSW Central Coast is a haven for divers, offering a variety of stunning dive sites that can be accessed directly from the shore. These shore dives provide convenient and accessible options for divers of all levels of experience.

One of the key advantages of local shore dives is the ease of access. Unlike boat dives, which require transportation and coordination, shore dives allow divers to simply walk into the water and begin their underwater adventure. This makes it a convenient option for individuals who may not have access to a boat or prefer the simplicity of shore-based diving.

On the NSW Central Coast, there are several popular shore dive sites that offer unique and diverse underwater experiences. From rocky reefs to kelp forests, these sites are teeming with marine life and provide opportunities for divers to observe and interact with a wide range of species.

One such site is the ex-HMAS Adelaide, a decommissioned naval ship that was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. This site has become a popular attraction for divers, offering the chance to explore the sunken ship and its surrounding marine ecosystem.

Another notable shore dive site is located at Terrigal Haven. This site is known for its sandy Bay Area, with sea grass beds and an awesome rock reef that leads to deeper water, which attracts divers from near and far. Here, divers can view a large anchor propped onto the rock wall, look into all the rocky holes for hiding fish, eels, catfish, heaps of schooling pelagic, like Yellowtail, Mados, Pomfrets, white girdled Parmas, cuttlefish, octopus to name just a few.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, the NSW Central Coast offers something for everyone. With its range of courses, including weekend and mid-week options, Pro Dive Central Coast makes it convenient for individuals to obtain their Open Water Diver certification and embark on transformative diving adventures.

So, if you're looking to explore the underwater wonders of the NSW Central Coast, consider venturing out on a local shore dive.

With free parking, convenient facilities, plenty of places to get food and drink- its accessibility and diverse marine life is an experience you won't want to miss.

We look forward to diving with you!

Terrigal Haven

Check out all the animals that call the haven "home"- Big bull rays, Bat wing rays and sand Skate, along with schools of yellowtail waiting for you to swim around with them.

A rock wall extends from the haven and you will even find a large anchor propped up against the wall. This area is also holiday home to several Grey Nurse sharks and a breeding area for small Port Jackson sharks.

So much to see in such a small area, always something different every time you dive here.

Your first night dive should be at a place you have dived previously, where you feel comfortable and has easy access, with good parking close to the water. Terrigal haven has all this and more.

Large bull rays swim around here at night. Look out the ever present Blue Gropers asleep in their rocky holes. The shiny Bullseyes are out swarming about and watch small sting rays glide over the sandy floor looking for tasty shells and molluscs coming out of their sandy burrows.

Swansea road bridge opening for large vessels to pass

Swansea Channel

When you first enter the water and drop down to around six to eight metres, you will find the return marker made up of scuttled shopping trolleys and pushbikes.

Swansea Bridge has several spans each holding its own colony of marine life including Decorator crabs, Pineapple fish, large blue eels, fan bellied leatherjackets, nudibranchs of so many different colours, to name a few.

Night diving here is a great experience when the current is slack. Watch out for the small things, blennies poking out from the rocks, small eels, octopus and small cuttlefish sleeping in the algae fronds.

For the more adventurous, a drift dive during an incoming tide is a great bonus. Enter near the RSL club and drift under the spans, all the way in, to the western boat ramp.

Cabbage Tree Bay

Great little site, with a sandy and rubble strewn bottom, schools of yellowtail swim about you here at night. The Blue gropers are asleep in their holes and the schools of small fish are now out and about foraging.

Perfect site for beginners that just want to get in some more practice.

Maximum depth here is 8 to 10 metres.

Catherine Hill Bay Wharf

Catherine Hill Bay was aptly named after the “Catherine Hill” was wrecked in the bay in June 1867.

The southern headland of Catherine Hill Bay provides several dive sites with depths ranging between 3-30 meters making the area also suitable for snorkelers.

The headland has dozens of swim-throughs and over-hangs, which are fun to investigate.

Divers can inspect the remains of the "Wallarah" around the coal loader jetty.

cuttlefish raising tentacles to ward off diver

Skillion Cave

This would have to be one of the best shore dives on the Central Coast. You jump off the rock platform to the left of the Skillion, swim out a little and you will soon be over deep water. The cave can be found by following the wall to the left and is home for schooling fish and hosts an enormous colony of Jewel Anemones.