Above Water - Jayne Jenkins

Marine Life
Water temperature variations from 16 to 24ºC (depending upon
the time of year) - combined with Sydney’s close proximity to
the deeper waters at the edge of the Continental Shelf - attract
a remarkable variety of marine life, including dolphins and
whales.
Although different from their tropical counterparts, the reefs
around Sydney support a multitude of colourful soft corals,
sponges, anemones, sea-squirts, tube-worms and sea-mosses
that decorate every surface. Carried southward by the warm summer currents, tropical species often put
in an appearance, but it’s the temperate water life that is often the most remarkable.
Giant Cuttle-fish, some measuring a metre or more in length, are commonplace, as are large rays and
sharks – including lethargic wobbegongs, (a type of carpet shark sometimes three or more metres in
length), and Port Jackson sharks that, during their winter breeding season, can be seen in their hundreds
lying around on the sand.
Now a protected species that once faced extinction from Sydney waters, the Grey Nurse sharks
are again returning to provide counterpoint to the colourful leatherjackets, sea-horses, flutemouths,
seadragons, globe fish, porcupinefish, yellowtail; mados, sea-pike, pomfrets, roughy’s, stripeys, tuna,
mackerel, marlin and large Eastern Blue groupers ........ The list is endless and consists of many species only
found in Australian waters.
A city that’s perfectly in tune with the sea there’s more to Sydney than surface appearances suggest.
Conditions
Photos: Aengus Moran
The list is
endless and
consists of
many species
only found
in Australian
waters.
Photo: Jayne Jenkins
Subject to the vagaries of the weather, diving conditions in Sydney
can change on a daily basis – particularly after high seas or heavy
rains when the wave action or storm-water run-off from the land may
reduce the underwater visibility. Although seldom less than 8-metres,
the very best visibility and sea conditions usually occur during the dry
winter months (June - August) when the combined effects of the prevailing offshore winds and the
“blue-water” currents produce visibility often exceeding 30-plus metres.
Water temperatures reach a high of about 24º C. in summer, (February/March) and drop to 16º C.
towards the end of winter (August/September) when more thermal protection is required. For most
people, however, a 5mm wet suit is adequate for use throughout the year. SD
Photo: Aengus Moran
Photo: Aengus Moran
For full details of Sydney’s amenities contact:- Tourism New South Wales,
Ph. +61 (2) 13 2077. Fax. +61 (2) 9931 1490. http://nsw.tourism.nsw.gov.au/tnsw/sydney/index.html
Photo: Aengus Moran
Photo: Aengus Moran
Photo: Chris Miller
Photo: Aengus Moran
ScubaDiver
A U S T R A L A S I A
79
GETTING THERE
Most International carriers offer
direct flights to Sydney’s Kingsford
Smith Airport, just 6 kilometres
from the City centre. Depending on
the time of day regular shuttle-bus
services or metered-taxis will cover
the distance in about 15-minutes.
CLIMATE
Temperate, with four seasons.
Driest month - August: Wettest -
February. Mainly sunny throughout
the year with cool, mild winters
(June - August) and hot, humid
summers, (December - February).
Average temperatures range from
between 9 - 15ºC. in Winter,
to 22 - 28ºC. in Summer.
ACCOMMODATION
Sydney has a full complement of
accommodation types, from 5-star
luxury hotels, through to back-
packer hostels and self-serviced
apartments.
BEST TIME TO DIVE
Good, year round diving, but
considered to be at its absolute best
during the winter months between
June - August. Water temperatures
range between 16ºC. in late
winter, up to 24ºC. in late Summer
(February).
OPERATORS
Abyss Scuba Diving, Ramsgate (61) 2-95839662 | Aquatic Explorers, Cronulla (61) 2-
95231518 | Atlantis Divers, Palm Beach (61) 2-99744261 | Deep 6 Diving, Clovelly (61)
2-96657427 | Deep 6 Diving, Ryde (61) 2-98086400 | Deep 6 Diving,
West Ryde (61) 2-98584299 | Dive 2000, Neutral Bay (61) 2-99537783 | Dive Centre
Bondi Road, Bondi (61) 2-93693855 | Dive Centre Manly, (61) 2-99774355 | Diving
Plaza, Sydney (61) 2-92210089 | Frog Dive Guildford, (61) 2-98923422 | Frog Dive
Willoughby, (61) 2-99585699 | Mermaid Scuba Academy, Surry Hills (61) 2 92801088
| Pro Dive Academy, Ultimo (61) 2-92816166 | Pro Dive Coogee, (61) 2-96656333 |
Pro Dive Cronulla, (61) 2-95442200 | Pro Dive Drummoyne, (61) 2-98197711 | Pro
Dive Manly, (61) 2-99775966 | Pro Dive Midcity, Sydney (61) 2-92646177 | Scuba
Warehouse, Parramatta (61) 2-96891389 | Snorkel Inn Dive Centre, Kogarah (61) 2-
95881152 | Southern Cross Divers, The Spit (61) 2-99695072 | St George Underwater
Centre, Beverly Hills (61) 2-95022221 | Sub Aquatic Adventures, Beverly Hills (61)
2-95704222 | Sydney Dive Academy, Matraville (61) 2-93110708 | Sydney Divercity,
Kurnell (61) 2-96688200 | Wilderness Sea N’ Ski, Liverpool (61) 2-98224112