Sydney & New South Wales, Australia
    North Sydney Harbour

    Wreck of Dunbar

    Best months: Jan–Mar

    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.

    Best timeJan–Mar
    WetsuitA 3mm full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Dugongs and Great White Sharks · 199+ species recorded
    Water18-23°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    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.

    Today05:2018:0512h 45m daylightGolden hour 17:32

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    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)

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    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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