Shore Dives
Swansea Bridge
The premier dive site in the Newcastle Region and rated as one of the top ten jetty dives in Australia by SCUBA Diver Magazine. Maximum depth 14.5m with the biggest variety of sponges and fish around. Everything from Blennies, Eels, Kingfish, Wrasse, Pineapple fish, Catfish, Octopus, Lion fish etc. Also the resident Estuary Cod family. Gear up at the shop and a short walk to the water. Check with Aqua Zero for dive times, as Swansea Bridge can only be dived on the slack tide. Rating: Open Water
Swansea Channel Drift
Also known as the 'WOZ' dive. Fly over sand dunes and shopping trolleys, corals and sponges. There are some very old bottles that have been found on this dive. No time to stop "ooh, that WOZ nice" maximum depth 14m. Rating: Advanced Open Water
The Log
A very easy dive with a maximum depth of 8m. You will see sponges, a variety of fish, as well as eels, Port Jackson Sharks and an assortment of schooling juveniles. Rating: Open Water
Lucy's Wall
This has to be one of the best night dives around. Lucy's wall is also well protected from swells and currents so when all else fails try this little dive, only 5.5m maximum depth. The Sea-grass beds have lots of surprises for divers with a keen eye, including Anglerfish, Lionfish, Octopus, Nudibranchs, Scorpion fish, Morays, Sea Horses, Sponge, Crabs. Great for macro photography. Rating: Open Water
Loader Beach
The dive under the coal loader makes an interesting trip with a vast array of fish life including Blue Grouper. Bits and pieces of shipwrecks can be found scattered around the bay, including the intact boiler for the Wallarah. Maximum Depth 9m. Rating: Open Water.
Desoto
A giant-stride entry and drop to the rocky bottom. Head out the front to the sponge gardens and when you hit the pebbly hill, turn around. This site has a couple of over-hangs and swimthrus. It also has a resident Wobby shark and Pineapple fish. Great variety, maximum depth 16m. Rating: Open Water
The Trench
Snorkel down the trench and turn south at the front of the headland. Sponge gardens with nudibranchs, a variety of fish life including eels, blue grouper, octopus and rays-large and small, weedy sea-dragons have been spotted here too. Maximum Depth 12m. Rating: Open Water
C.S. Shamrock
This wreck is 200m off the beach in just 8m of water. There is still a good deal of the wreck to explore with the boiler and prop, two clear features. Home to eels, wobbies and schooling varieties. Rating: Open Water