Oceanic swim-through caveÁrea Marina Protegida

Fish Rock Cave (South West Rocks)

Australia · Off Smoky Cape, South West Rocks, New South Wales

Profundidad: 8–24 mNivel: Advanced Open Water; operators recommend at least 20 dives for the caveGrey nurse sharks are most numerous from May to September; summer brings better visibility and 24-25 °C

Spotted something wrong?

A tunnel some 120-125 m long running through Fish Rock from east to west: the only true ocean cave in Australia that is dived regularly. The shallow entrance lies at about 12 m and is a wide cavern with natural light and pink gorgonians; the deep one, at 24 m, is where the sharks gather. Around 80 m of the route lies outside the light zone, so a torch is essential, and there are blind side passages that demand attention.

Depth

8–24 m

Recommended level

Advanced Open Water; operators recommend at least 20 dives for the cave

Current

The East Australian Current sweeps the island

Access

Boat, about 2 km from the shore

Best time

Grey nurse sharks are most numerous from May to September; summer brings better visibility and 24-25 °C

Marine protected area

Plan your dive

Best time: Grey nurse sharks are most numerous from May to September; summer brings better visibility and 24-25 °C

Protection status

Hábitat crítico del tiburón toro gris (Carcharias taurus), especie protegida en Australia desde 1984; declarado Hope Spot de Mission Blue en 2021

Did you know

Dentro hay dos 'cuevas de burbuja' hacia los 5 m donde se acumula aire y los compañeros pueden hablar entre sí bajo el agua. La temperatura dentro del túnel es siempre al menos un grado superior a la del mar exterior. El tiburón toro gris llegó a reducirse a unos pocos centenares de ejemplares por la pesca y la caza submarina antes de su protección; aquí se puede uno acercar sin cebo ni alimentación de ningún tipo.

Sources consulted: Divernet; South West Rocks Dive Centre; Fish Rock Dive Centre; The Underwater Club; 50 Great Dives; beunderwater.com