Wreck of Dunbar
Protected Area
North Sydney Harbour
Why dive here
With 199+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, bull sharks, dolphins, dugongs and great white sharks - Wreck of Dunbar offers some of Sydney & New South Wales's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 18-23°C, warmest January, February, March.
The Wreck of Dunbar. Now, this is a site with a story, even if much of it is below the waves. It’s a tragic tale from 1857, a full-rigged ship lost right at the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Today, what remains offers a really atmospheric dive. We're talking about scattered pieces across the seabed, the skeleton of a ship slowly being reclaimed by the ocean. You’re not going to find a fully intact hull here; time and tides have taken their toll. Instead, it’s a debris field, but a fascinating one. Look for the anchor, the substantial frames, and the copper plating still visible in places. It feels like an archaeological dig as you swim over it. Moray eels love to hide in the nooks and crannies, and we often spot schooling yellowtail scad flitting around the larger structures. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of exploration, rather than a pristine reef. Conditions can be variable due to its exposed location, so pick a calm day if you can, and aim for a slack tide to really soak it all in. Our favourite time is a clear, sunny morning; the light filtering through the water adds another layer of drama to the scene.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Nearest Dive Centres to Wreck of Dunbar
Dive shops near Wreck of Dunbar
Eunoia Freediving
Dive Centre Bondi
Dive Centre Manly
SEA LIFE - SYDNEY AQUARIUM
Pro Dive
Frog Dive Sydney
Reviews for Wreck of Dunbar
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Dunbar
Wreck of Dunbar Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Dunbar, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-33.18, 151.63) (7km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
20°C
67°F · Range: 18.5–20.7°C
Air Temperature
17°C
63°F
Wind Speed
5.95 m/s
11.6 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1016.2 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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