Shelly Beach (Manly) – Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
Shelly Beach lies in the Cabbage Tree Bay protected marine reserve next to North Head and Fairy Bower, Sydney's easiest and most popular shore dive. A boulder reef with ledges starts at 2–3 m, drops to 7–8 m and then to 10–12 m (the NSW government page gives about 12 m maximum; experienced divers can follow the reef to about 16 m). Marine life is modest by day, with small rays and fish, juvenile dusky whaler sharks sheltering in groups of up to about 20 along the promenade side, and it is more interesting at night. There are toilets, showers and a cafe, and a pay-and-display car park.
Facts
- Region: New South Wales – Byron Bay to Eden (Australia)
- Area: Sydney & Botany Bay
- Depth: 2–16 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: shore, reef
- Coordinates: -33.7993, 151.2964 (approximate)
- Highlights: juvenile dusky whalers, small rays, boulder reef, night diving
- Tips: Position is about 80 m north of the published GPS (entry beach, WGS84); approximate. Aquatic reserve: no fishing or collecting. Visibility around Manly is often 5–10 m. Dive Centre Manly runs shore dives here.