Ship Rock (Port Hacking) – Aquatic Reserve, slack tide only
Ship Rock is a designated aquatic reserve (about 2 ha, ~130 fish species) at the junction of Burraneer Bay and Port Hacking, a wall and bommie dive with many crevices and small caves. The water near the entry is 2–3 m, dropping to about 6 m and almost 15 m at the wall, with sand around the bommies to 18 m. Strong tidal currents mean it can only be dived at slack tide; the local author enters at the forecast Fort Denison high tide. Summer brings tropical species on the East Australian Current.
Facts
- Region: New South Wales – Byron Bay to Eden (Australia)
- Area: Sydney & Botany Bay
- Depth: 3–18 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: strong
- Type: shore, wall, reef
- Coordinates: -34.0699, 151.1305 (approximate)
- Highlights: wobbegong, cuttlefish, butterflyfish, wall and bommies, night diving
- Tips: Position estimated near the published entry points; approximate. Aquatic reserve: all fish life protected. Peak tide is about 20 minutes after Fort Denison's; do not enter early on normal high tides or the return is against a strong current. Sudden drop-offs and boat traffic make surfacing from deep water unsafe (surface in the shallows, about 4 m). Gate at the top closes 9:30 pm to sunrise; alcohol banned; steep stairs; weekend parking is scarce.