Waterfall - Sydney & New South Wales
Waterfall. The name makes you think of something gentle and cascading. It's not. This site, often overlooked for its flashier neighbours, holds a unique rugged beauty we genuinely appreciate. You’re dropping onto a rocky reef, typically around 12 to 18 metres, where the surge plays a constant, rhythmic tune. What makes Waterfall special for us? The sheer variety of smaller, often camouflaged, creatures. We’ve spent entire dives here meticulously scanning the rock crevices and sandy patches for critters. We’ve spotted Spitlure Frogfish hunkering down and the elusive Hair Tailed Blenny peeking out from its hole. Keep an eye out for Short-tail Stingrays gliding over the sand. It’s a site that rewards patience and a slower pace. Don’t expect huge pelagics, but if you love macro and have a keen eye, this place delivers. It’s also surprisingly exposed, so check the swell – anything over a metre and it can be a washing machine.
- Location
- Sydney & New South Wales, Australia, Australasia
- Coordinates
- -33.822590, 151.294250
Marine Protected Area: North Sydney Harbour
Nearby Dive Sites in Sydney & New South Wales
- 3 mile Bommie (cave)
- 3 mile Bommie (reef)
- 3rd Gutter (reef)
- 3rd Gutter
- 4th-5th Reefs - 5-20m (reef)
- 7th and 8th Reefs (reef)
- Acheron Ledge (reef)
- Adelaide (Wreck) (wreck)
- Adelaide (Wreck) (wreck)
- Adreno (diving gear)
- Avoca (drift)
- Avoca
- Bait Reef (reef)
- Balmoral Baths
- Bare Island East (wall)
Nearest Dive Centres to Waterfall
- Abyss Scuba Diving - ["PADI"]
- Aquatic Explorers
- CENTRAL COAST DIVERS - SSI
- Deep Sensations Pty Ltd
- Dive Centre Bondi - ["PADI"]
- Dive Centre Manly - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Sydney & New South Wales
Home to 202 recorded species including 129 reef fish, 41 sharks & rays, 9 whales & dolphins, 5 other, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 octopus & squid.
Notable Species
- Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) - Sharks & Rays
- Spotted wobbegong (Orectolobus maculatus) - Sharks & Rays
- Bream (Acanthopagrus australis) - Reef Fish
- Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) - Sharks & Rays
- Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) - Sharks & Rays
- California Yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) - Reef Fish
- chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) - Octopus & Squid
- Banjo Shark (Trygonorrhina fasciata) - Sharks & Rays
- blubber jellyfish (Catostylus mosaicus) - Jellyfish
- dory (Zeus faber) - Reef Fish
- Australian Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Snapper (Pagrus auratus) - Reef Fish
- Silver Bream (Rhabdosargus sarba) - Reef Fish
- Bluefin Gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) - Reef Fish
- Chubby Basketfish (Anoplocapros inermis) - Reef Fish
- Banks Shovelnose Ray (Aptychotrema rostrata) - Sharks & Rays
- Bellowfish (Macroramphosus scolopax) - Reef Fish
- gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) - Seagrass & Algae
- Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) - Reef Fish
- Common Silver Belly (Gerres subfasciatus) - Reef Fish