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Avoca

Avoca is one of our go-to shore dives when the westerlies really whip up around Sydney. It’s got this great natural protection that means even on a choppy day, it can be surprisingly calm here. We love dropping in and navigating the rocky reef, which is usually home to inquisitive Eastern Blue wrasse following you around. The real charm of Avoca, though, is how much life pops out of the crevices. You’ll often spot Wobbegongs tucked into rocky overhangs, and sometimes we’ve even seen a Rusty Catshark peeking out. We’ve had days here where the schools of yellowtail are so thick they almost block out the sun, a proper shimmering curtain. The maximum depth of 14m means you get plenty of bottom time to explore, which is great because there’s always something new to spot. Our favourite trick is to go slow, really scrutinising the rocks, because that’s when you’ll find the smaller stuff, like the colourful nudibranchs that often hide in plain sight. Visibility averages 10m, which is decent for a shore dive in this region, and on a good day, it can stretch to a comfortable 15m. It’s perfect for divers who enjoy a relaxed pace and appreciate the smaller, often overlooked, critters.