Fly Point (Nelson Bay) – Aquatic Reserve
Fly Point is a shore dive in the Fly Point/Halifax Park Aquatic Reserve at Nelson Bay, where fishing, spearfishing and collecting are banned. The bottom slopes through 5 m and 8 m to about 11 m, with a small wall and overhangs at 12–13 m and an outer drift to 16–18 m. Schooling fish, wobbegongs, octopus, big sponges, blue groper and a lot of macro life (nudibranchs, cowries, flatworms) live among seagrass, kelp and sponge. The car park is small and the stairs lead to a cleared rock path into the water.
Facts
- Region: New South Wales – Byron Bay to Eden (Australia)
- Area: Port Stephens & Broughton Island
- Depth: 5–18 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: moderate
- Type: shore, reef, drift
- Coordinates: -32.713, 152.1515 (approximate)
- Highlights: wobbegong, blue groper, octopus, sea hares, nudibranchs, silver drummer, dolphins (occasional)
- Tips: Position is estimated about 80 m north of the PADI entry point (swim out due north); approximate. Start about 20 minutes before high tide: flow is strong at 1.8–2.0 m tides. Heavy boat traffic: if you lose your buddy do not surface in deep water, head east to under 2 m first. Experienced divers or close supervision only.